Christmas Questions!

Today I've teamed up with Amber from Mr. Thomas and Me to answer some questions about some of our favorite holiday traditions!

Amber and her Mr. T

Do you/your family have any holiday traditions? Which ones are your favorite? 

Amber: Mr. T and me both come from families rich with tradition so we've had a lot of fun incorporating our favorites into our holiday seasons. My favorite of his family's traditions is the big holiday party that his grandparents have at their country home. There's singing and LOTS of amazing food and dessert and spiked eggnog! My family buys new flannels every year... Now that flannels are coming in amazingly adorable prints the tradition is that much better. This year: pink flannel printed with skulls surrounded by flowers. 

Kalyn: It always used to be the "tradition" for me and my mom to decorate the tree together... even though we always ended up arguing about the lights and which was the best way to put them on the tree. It's something I miss doing with her every year. 

Another is my Mom's brother and his wife always come to visit and he likes to bring a lot of alcohol and we sit around the kitchen table playing dice and card games into the weee hours of the morning. It is such a special time to me because rarely will I have that combination of people in one room, a little inebriated, and having a lot of fun. 

Eggnog, hot chocolate, or cider? 

Amber: Hot Cocoa. With whipped cream and marshmallows. Especially because it comes in white chocolate too. :) 

Kalyn: I'm going to have to say hot (spiked) cider, but eggnog runs a close second!

What was the best gift you ever received? The worst? 

Amber: The best, our engagement. It was ten days before Christmas in 2010, but it was my Christmas present for the year... And for every year to follow. :) The worst: I don't have any horror stories really. My little brother (he's ten years younger than me) bought a pink squishy rubber toy that looked like a really spiky sea cucumber once. He was sure I needed it and because it was pink I had to have it. It looked more like an... adult toy than anything I needed. :) 

Kalyn: There's a tie for best present I ever received between my Barbie jeep (age 3) and a karaoke machine (around age 10). The karaoke machine came with two CD's and hooked up to the TV so you could see the words to the music. I would sit in our living room for hours belting my little lungs out. My two favorite songs were Old Time Rock'n'Roll and Hit Me Baby One More Time. I can't really think of any bad presents although I did get a horrendous pair of house shoe/boots from a boyfriend's parents one time. But it was the thought that counted, right?

Our first Christmas

Candy canes or gingerbread? 

Amber: I'm a Scrooge and have to say, neither. But I love English Toffee!

Kalyn: I also am going to say, neither and go with peppermint bark! 

Isn't her pup Hazel just the cutest thing you ever did see?

Would you rather go to a huge Christmas party or cozy gathering?

Amber: This answer changes depending on the day and my mood, but usually, and by usually I mean 9 times out of 10, I would choose the cozy gathering. 

Kalyn: It also depends on what mood I am in but they both have their perks. For Christmas day, I prefer cozy and intimate, but I always loved our huge family parties a few days before.

What is your favorite holiday memory from childhood? 

Amber: One Christmas we got bikes for Christmas but Santa couldn't fit them through the chimney so he left them on the roof... Watching dad retrieve the bikes from all the way up there in the cold was hysterical (even as a kid)!

Kalyn: Spending the holidays at a family member's house (we often had Christmas with my Grandma, who lived states away) was always a little magical to me. I mean, HOW DID SANTA KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME?? In all honesty, I don't have one specific memory that sticks out, because I love them all. I try to cherish the memories I have with the ones that are no longer here to celebrate with us as to never forget them.

Me and the broski celebrating Christmas a few years ago

Amber has such a warm heart and I have so enjoyed getting to know her via her blog, so I suggest you high tial it over to Mr. Thomas and Me and get to know her too! Amber is also co-hosting a 12 days of blogging with holiday themes for each day, so if you love the holidays and love blogging about them, join in with her!

Find Amber via:

Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

What are your holiday traditions?

Linking up with Taylor and Helene!