Christmas…Postponed

My mom called on Saturday with news that my dad has the flu. We always have Christmas at my grandmother’s house in Georgia but my parents didn’t think it was the best thing to make my dad sit in the car for six hours and then bring his germs to family Christmas. So…Christmas is postponed until later this week/this weekend and I am spending my first Christmas away from family and hanging out in Charlotte. It’s a little weird but honestly, I wasn’t up for a big Christmas this year so I’m okay with it.

My yoga studio is actually open for one class this afternoon so I’m going to go take class in a few minutes. I am so excited to make it onto my mat on Christmas day. If you can’t make it out of the house to workout, here is a quick at home workout you can do to burn off some of that eggnog and sweets.

Christmas Cookie Cardio Burner
10 burpees
20 air squats (bodyweight squats)
30 mountain climbers
10 pushups
20 jump squats
30 sit ups/crunches of your choice

Repeat as many times as needed…and then enjoy Christmas dinner! 🙂

I thought since I didn’t have a holiday recap to share quite yet, I would share some holiday favorites/traditions instead. This “survey” has been circulating around the internet this week and I think it started with Julie.

Favorite Holiday Cookie

Orange White Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti – I’ve been making this recipe for several years now and it’s always a hit with everyone. I have to say that I love a good peanut butter blossom or jam thumbprint cookie too! 🙂

Favorite Christmas Song

Carol of the Bells…hands down. Especially when performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I’m a BIG fan of choir Christmas music. Not so much a fan of the pop stuff. Side note, I highly recommend the Josh Groban holiday station on Pandora. It’s been a constant in my kitchen this season.

Favorite Christmas Movie

How the Grinch Stole Christmas….I love the traditional cartoon version but the new Jim Carey movie is pretty great too. The “Welcome Christmas” song always gets stuck in my head.

Favorite Holiday Decorations

Real tree (Frasir Fir) with white lights. Although I did love some colored bubble lights growing up. Remember those things!?

Favorite Holiday Breakfast

My dad’s waffles. He is a master waffle maker and made them every Christmas morning. Recipe can be found here.

Favorite Holiday Meal

Every Christmas Eve my dad makes prime rib and my mom makes popoevers. Other items rotate but those two are a constant.

Favorite Way to Open Gifts

Stockings then gifts. We never open presents on Christmas Eve…I never got the fun in opening all of your presents on Christmas Eve. Then what do you do on Christmas morning? Also, our Santa gifts were never wrapped. They were arranged around the fireplace. Our wrapped gifts were from my parents under the tree. We always did Santa/family presents at home and then drove over to my grandmother’s and did another Christmas with her and my cousins. She always lines our stockings up on the stairs.

What are some of your holiday favorites or traditions? 

Have a Merry Christmas everyone! Sending lots of love and happiness!!!