Monthly Musings: All About Holiday Prep {Nov. 2022}

Trying something new:) This is my first time to try this monthly linkup and the theme is “holidays” so what better time to start than now?

1. Favorite Holiday Traditions?

For Thanksgiving, we always cook and eat traditional Thansgiving food. Some years, there were as many as 10-15 but most times, it was less than 10. This year will only be 3. For Christmas, we like to have more soups and dips. If I see a dip recipe I want to try (and especially if it is closer to Christmas than not, I’ll say, “we’ll try it for Christmas” LOL)

2. What Holidays Do You Celebrate?

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year! At Thanksgiving, we eat Thanksgiving lunch and enjoy the company of family. At Christmas, we nibble all day and again enjoy the family. On New Year, there’s really no festivities other than resting and mentally preparing for a new year.

3. How Early Do You Shop?

Since I really don’t shop for Christmas presents anymore (it was a mutual family decision), there’s really no certain time that I shop. If I have a party coming up, then I’ll go find something.

4. When Do You Decorate?

Usually, it is the first weekend in November, but, this year, it was two weekends before Halloween. The weekend before Halloween was going to be too busy and the first weekend of November was also extremely busy so when I had a free weekend, the tree went up! As far as outside decorations, I’ll put those up Thanksgiving night.

5. Do You Host Any Holiday Festivites?

no. I’m an extroverted introvert LOL. Basically that means, I usually don’t mind going somwhere but will leave when I’m ready, and I don’t have the mess to clean up. As an introvert, the “people-ing” drains me so I have no energy for cleaning up.

6. Favorite Holiday Meals or Recipes to Share?

Thanksgiving: dressing; Christmas: sausage dip

7. Best Holiday Organization Tips?

Make lists. Plan ahead. I start with putting events/parties/festivities in my planner, and then I figure out what I need for each (food, gift, clothes, etc.). For example, the first weekend of December, I have a Christmas parade, Christmas tree lighting, Symphony Christmas show, and our Church Ladies Christmas all within a 24 hour time frame, so I have to plan ahead. I’m already thinking about it now.

8. Gift Wrapping? Love It or Hate It?

eh…I haven’t really thought about it. I don’t love it or hate it. I just make it easy and put it in a gift bag when possible and then just have fun making the tissue paper match the bag

9. Holiday Coffee Drink? Yes Please or Hard Pass?

YES PLEASE!! Pumpkin Spice Latte with nonfat milk & Peppermint Mocha, also with nonfat milk 🙂

10. Are You a Holiday Baker? Recipes to Share?

quick answer…no, I’m not a fan of baking. I can do it but I don’t care enough about it to deal with any of it. I have made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins in the past and enjoyed them but it isn’t something I made a habit of doing. However, it is a casserole to bake, I can do that, and would prefer that over baking sweets.

*linking up with Holly & Patty for Monthly Musings