My Favorite Things posts have been a favorite of so many for over a decade now… I enjoy writing them too!
This month, I’m putting a Christmas spin on the post, sharing close to 50 of my favorite Christmas-time things — specifically things I only do, eat, listen to, watch, wear, etc. in December.
Honestly, I’m not sure why I never thought to do this before? 🤷♀️
As you’ll notice, most of the categories below are plural because I have multiple “favorites”. Yes, I realize it’s technically not possible to have more than one “favorite,” but my kids assure me they have more than one “best friend,” so we’re just going with it!
Favorite Christmas Memory
I have hundreds of Christmas-related memories — special gifts, the first time I went to the Nutcracker Ballet, visiting friends and family, special concerts, etc. — but I have one memory that stands out. It’s weird and might explain a lot about me!
I was somewhere around 12 or 13, I had spent the entire day after Thanksgiving putting up Christmas decorations with my mom and sisters (my mom had many little shadowbox decorations, so it took a long time).
We cleaned the entire house, put up the Christmas decor and trees, baked my favorite German Chocolate Caramel Brownies (recipe below), turned the Christmas lights on, and then simply sat around the table eating our treats.
I remember exactly where I was sitting at the table with such a sense of satisfaction, thinking, “I wish every day could be like this”.
Even back then, I found so much joy in baking, cooking, cleaning, and decorating. The peace I felt when our home was in order made everything right in my little world — I often still feel this way when my home is organized and running smoothly.
Favorite Christmas Traditions
We don’t have many traditions we do every single year… but putting up the tree always happens at some point, and the house looks so festive once it’s up.
We almost always put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving (it’s artificial), and the kids are fully capable of decorating it however they want (I’m not too particular).
I also enjoy making a Candy Countdown Chain for the kids to “count down” to Christmas Day. I usually start 12 days out from Christmas, but last year I planned a full 25 days and the kids were ecstatic!
And we do usually try to make and decorate a big batch of my “famous” Cut-Out Sugar Cookies at the beginning of December. Then I freeze them and we pull them out throughout the month for our own enjoyment and to take to parties.
Favorite Christmas Scents
Peppermint — no question!
I’ve already switched to peppermint soap and lotion from Bend Soap. I’ll use it until it’s gone, and then no more peppermint until next Christmas season.
Second Favorite: Cinnamon/Vanilla
I don’t light candles throughout the year, but I will usually light a pumpkin candle at night during November, and a cinnamon/vanilla candle in December.
Favorite Christmas Clothing
Ugly Sweaters
It’s been over 20 years since our college friends started hosting “Ugly Sweater parties” (way before it was a “thing”) and Dave and I have a variety of ugly sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and turtlenecks to choose from.
I find them at thrift stores throughout the year and we wear them regularly throughout December.
I also love a good velvet dress this time of year. The girls and I all have one (not matching) and we wear them to church in December. I should have gotten a picture of us on Sunday, but instead, I’ll share a picture of Clara’s cute velvet Christmas dress from her school program.
Favorite Christmas Books
I’m not one to re-read books over again (at least not novels) so I don’t have a huge list of classics I go back to every December.
Favorite Classic Book: A Christmas Carol (I actualy just listened to the audiobook last week).
Favorite Children’s Books: Bialosky’s Christmas & Corduroy’s Christmas
I’ve had these books since childhood. I store them (along with a handful of other Christmas books) with our Christmas decorations so we only read them at Christmastime. Even the older kids enjoy re-reading them again.
Honorable Mention Books:
- Who is Coming To Our House
- I Spy Christmas (all of them)
- The Mitten (and all Jan Brett’s winter books)
- How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas (we love all the “How Do Dinosaurs” books)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (we loved the book, hated the first movie, and are excited to watch the most recent movie).
- Unwrapping the Greatest Gift (we’re using this with our Jesse tree)
Favorite Christmas Movies
We love Christmas movies and watch one every movie-night from Mid-November through early January. Sometimes we’ll watch one during the day too if the weather is nasty over Christmas break, or if we have a snow day.
Overall Favorite = Elf
This is one of those movies you either love or hate — and Dave and I are both in the “love it” category. We regularly quote from this movie all throughout the year, and we watch it at least once every December.
Last year was the first year we watched it with our kids and they are all begging to watch it again.
Childhood Favorite: Home Alone (the original)
I loved this movie as a kid (it came out when I was 7, so practically the perfect age) and I’ve rewatched it so many times over the years!
We recently went through and watched all 4 Home Alone movies with the kids — #1 and #2 are the best (in my opinion) but #3 was pretty funny as well. #4 was a total waste of time.
There are a few things I dislike about these movies (how older siblings pick on the youngest and the subtle sexual “humor”) but overall, I do think they are pretty funny and OK to break out once a year at the holidays.
Dave’s Favorite: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This is another movie you either love or hate — I can’t stand it but it’s Dave’s favorite Christmas movie. He watches it every Christmas break and I usually pop into the den at some point, only to remember why I dislike this movie so much.
Honorable Mention Christmas Movies:
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- A Christmas Story
- The Santa Clause (1, 2, and 3)
- The Muppets Christmas Carol (we’re watching this one next!)
- The Man Who Invented Christmas
- The Polar Express (our kids don’t like it though!)
- Little Women (the 1994 version) — maybe not a Christmas movie, but I often watch it around Christmas time
Favorite Christmas Music
For reference, I never listen to the radio, CDs, or Spotify throughout the year… but once Christmas music hits our local stations in November, I listen constantly through the end of Christmas break.
I love Christmas music!
Overall Favorite = O, Holy Night
I know choosing this song is somewhat cliche, but for as long as I can remember, this has been my favorite Christmas song.
I played an amazing piano solo of O Holy Night in high school (it’s too difficult for me now) and I often play around with easier versions to satisfy my desire for this lovely song.
If you want to hear someone belt out the lyrics, I like Carrie Underwood‘s version.
Religious Favorite: Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming
I love this old German Carol with it’s haunting harmonies and poetic lyrics(it sounds amazing acapella by The Tabernacle Choir). It’s not a song we hear or sing often, but I have a couple of nice piano arrangements and I found a youth version that Nora is learning.
Non-Religious Favorites:
- Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
- Spice Girls’ “Sleigh Ride“
I know these are random, but my middle school self just loved these 2 songs, specifically when the Spice Girls shouted “Happy Christmas” at the end.
I sing them both loudly whenever they play on the radio — my children enjoy this. 🙄
Favorite Album: City on a Hill, It’s Christmas Time
Dave and I got this CD as a gift our first year of marriage and we play it every year. Now we just listen on Spotify so we can bring our favorite music with us anywhere we go!
Honorable Mention Christmas Songs:
- Any of Michael Buble’s Christmas songs
- Any of The Piano Guys’ Christmas music
- Any Amy Grant Christmas songs, specifically her 1992 Home For Christmas album (I had this on a tape way back in the day!)
- Breath of Heaven
- All Is Well
- Any of the early 2000’s pop band Christmas songs (Nsync, Backstreet Boys, 98º)
- Any traditional hymn played on the piano, on a cello, or with a full symphonic band.
Favorite Performance: Handel’s Messiah
Not only is the finished product beyond amazing from a musical and technical standpoint, the story behind it is even more fascinating — George Frideric Handel composed the entire Messiah (53 orchestral movements) in just 24 days in the summer of 1741!
This performance by the Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra at Syndey Opera House is amazing — whenever you have an extra 2.5 hours to spare. 🫤
Honestly, I could listen to Christmas music every day, all year round — so this was a nearly impossible category to nail down!
Feel free to share some of your favorite Christmas music in the comments so I can add it to my (always growing) list of favorites!
Favorite Christmas Hobby
I don’t know if this is a hobby or not, but I do enjoy sending (and receiving) Christmas cards.
This was never something we did growing up, and although there are years when I don’t have as much enthusiasm for it, I’m always glad I do it because I know others enjoy receiving cards, and my kids absolutely LOVE looking back on all our cards over the years.
We display all our cards on the large post in the middle of our kitchen — usually through the end of January.
After that, I put that year’s cards on a large ring. We keep all our past cards in a basket in our kitchen and the kids regularly enjoy looking through them.
NOTE: I order our cards as double-sided postcards (5″x7″) through Vista Print. They cost around $0.23 each (for double sided in full color) and I just buy cute craft paper envelopes on Amazon.
I design my cards in Canva (I use the free version) and simply upload the PDF file directly to Vista Print. It’s a huge money-saver over traditional holiday cards (I can get 250 super high-quality cards in full color for around $60 shipped).
Favorite Christmas Treats
There’s no chance I could pick just one favorite holiday treat… so I’ll break it down into sub-categories for you!
Favorite Christmas Cookie = Spiced Molasses Cookies with frosting
My great-aunt made these for every family Christmas party and they are a “must” for me over the holidays.
Favorite Christmas Bar = German Chocolate Caramel Brownies
My mom usually made these over Christmas break (they are the ones I mentioned in my favorite Christmas memory). I use a from-scratch version now — they are super tasty!
Favorite Christmas Dessert = Cheesecake (although this is always my favorite dessert!)
Favorite Christmas “Candy” = 4-Layer Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Fudge (you must try this!)
Favorite Christmas Drinks
Favorite Cold Drink = Holiday Punch
This punch is delicious any time of year, but it’s especially festive at Christmastime with the addition of frozen cranberries and lime slices.
It’s non-alcoholic, but you could definitely spike it for adult-only parties.
Favorite Hot Drink = Coffee + Hot Chocolate + Vanilla Creamer
I’m still not even close to enjoying coffee… and hot chocolate is too sugary for my preference. However, when I mix the two and add a little vanilla creamer, it’s a pretty delicious combo that I enjoy as a special treat during colder months!
Favorite Christmas Gift
All-Around Gift = Cash and/or Gift Cards
I know, it sounds boring, but it’s practical, useful, appreciated, easy-to-buy, easy-to-wrap, allergy-free, and clutter-free.
I enjoy getting it and giving it! I don’t know anyone over 10 who wouldn’t put cash or a gift card to use.
And if you think money or gift cards are too impersonal, check out some of these creative ideas to give cash or gift cards to anyone on your list (seriously, they are good gift ideas!) You could also offer to go shopping with the recipient and make a date of it.
Save yourself a bunch of shopping this year and go with cash and gift cards!
We’re even going the cash route for our kids (ages 13, 10, 9, 7) and then all shopping together after going out for lunch — the kids are super excited.
Related Reading: My ultimate list of clutter-free gifts.
That’s all for this special Christmas Favorite Things.
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
And please leave your favorite Christmasy things in the comments below.
Merry Christmas!
JJ says
Favorite Christmas song: It’s About the Cross by GoFish
Favorite Comedy Clip: Tim Hawkins– Do You Hear What I Hear…https://youtu.be/ey_IL57a-b0?si=S1b4YFW49prfLBpS
Favorite Christmas treat: My grandma’s fruitcake! It was not at all like the ones people make fun of.
Everyone has loved the Christmas card style of writing about the kids on the back. Since we aren’t on social media, it’s a nice way to update everyone. Thank you for continually inspiring! Your blog is a gift!
Along with your blog, I really enjoy the comments others leave and learn so much from your readers. I looked up Stefan Hauser after reading the comment.
Kids’ Favorite Tradition: Sibling “Secret Santa”(although it’s not a secret ) First we all walk through the store together pointing out things we like. Then, 3 of my kids go with me while one hangs out with my husband on the other side of the store. They get the gift(s) for that child, and we hide them in a cart. Then I switch out a kid until all have been shopped for. This year we went to 5Below. We give a budget($10 each kid).
Erin says
I felt like my kids were the only ones who disliked Polar Express! We have tried it twice at various ages, and it’s been a dud for them that they asked to turn it off!
Your Christmas card ‘hack’ is what I have been doing for at least 5+ years! I enjoy the design, Vistaprint is great quality, I get to control the look and message and I get so many compliments on the cards each year. This hack has saved my budget for Christmas cards!
Andrea says
No, our kids do NOT like Polar Express. I love it though — I even went to see it in a 3D theater when I was in college 🙂
And yes, the Vista Print postcards are SO cheap, and I also get tons of compliments on my cards. We have a few elderly people at church that say they like our cards so much that they keep our family’s cards up year-round!
Margaret says
I’m a true Grinch, and loathe Christmas.
EXCEPT
my church’s annual Messiah Sing, which will be happening this coming Sunday. We round up a few soloists, assemble a scratch orchestra, and sing several of the choruses. Since we’re Mennonites and sing four-part harmony like most people breathe, it sounds wonderful, and I love it. My heart probably increases one size every year.
Honorable mention: our local Sacred Harp singers always sing the Christmas music out of that book and the Harmonia Sacra on the first Sunday of December.
Otherwise, hard pass.
Andrea says
Honestly — I often feel like a Grinch at Christmas too. I hate the consumeristic side of Christmas, but I do love the music, the movies, the special church services and programs, all the lights (and the treats). I also enjoy seeing extra friends and family and getting cards in the mail. But I hate gifts and shopping and all of that.
You should definitely listen to the link I shared for the Messiah — it’s absolutely amazing. I get chills every time they start the Hallelujah Chorus and everyone stands up. It’s so beautiful
Kara says
I always love your favorite things lists! I was happy to see the Tabernacle Choir mentioned; their Christmas music is my absolute favorite! Every year they perform in a Christmas devotional on a Sunday evening near the beginning of December. It is the perfect way to start out the season with a focus on Jesus Christ. Here is more info if you’d like to watch/listen 🙂 https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/event/first-presidencys-christmas-devotional-2024
Andrea says
Thanks for the link, Kara!! Merry Christmas!
Chris says
I like the Little Women from 1949. 🙂 Merry Christmas to all of you!
Andrea says
I haven’t watched the older version of Little Women — but I know most viewers do have a favorite! Maybe I’ll need to go back and watch that one too 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too!
Kim says
My all time favorite —the lyrics make me cry every year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXmfkFoX-PE
I listen to this every year too!
https://youtu.be/EbvwwwTqeRo?si=BYckXtaFYqCkuJ6-
Andrea says
Oh yes, both of those are so go — I just watched/listened to them both. Thanks for sharing!
Carol L Triebel says
I was told about a cello player named Stefan Hauser who has videos on You Tube by a friend. He is fabulous and has videos dedicated to Christmas music. I’ve been listening to him ever since–such a talent! Just amazing.
Pascale says
I enjoy Hauser and listen to him quite often on YouTube.
You can watch him and Dimash together.
Dimash is an extreme gifted singer.
You can also watch Hauser with Lara Fabian.
Lara is my favorite singer.
My husband and I went to see her in concert in the 1990s and she was remarkable and still is.
Andrea says
Thanks for sharing these other musicians — I honestly haven’t heard of any of them so I’ll need to look them up!
Chris says
Oh, I like Hauser also.
Andrea says
I will look him up. Thanks Carol!
Amy says
I love that pic of Little Andrea – you got TWO Cabbage Patch kids – so lucky!
Andrea says
You know it — TWO Cabbage Patch Kids. I’m pretty sure my parents still have the “boy baby with none hair” (which was my very specific request that year)!
Also, I still remember their names — Jerome and Carmen!
Hayley says
Andrea! I’ve been following you since the beginning and one of our favorite Christmas traditions is baking your “really simple” Monster cookies and passing them out to our neighbors with a Christmas card. They are so easy to make and the kids still LOVE it, even though they are 17, 16, 15, & 13 now (sigh). Thanks for helping us with Christmas traditions along the way!
Andrea says
Aw, thanks for sharing this Hayley! That is such a simple (and delicious) recipe — I’m so glad you and your neighbors can enjoy them during Christmastime!
So if you’ve been following since the beginning, you likely had a couple of babies and toddlers… and now all teens! That will be me in another 5 years with 4 teens (is it doable!?!)