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25 days of christmas, 1-12 (ToL #213)

December 15, 2016 by Amanda @ .running with spoons. 39 Comments

Happy #thinkingoutloud Thursday! No idea what I’m going on about? Click here!

Thinking-Out-Loud

Doing things a little differently with ToL this week! I was in the mood for a Christmas survey-ish type thing, so I dug through my archives and found this “25 Days of Christmas” questionnaire that I filled our years and years ago. I’ll do half this week and half next week – feel free to grab it and fill it out yourself!

25 Days of Christmas

1. Your favorite Christmas movie. There are a lot of great ones (Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch, The Holiday, Rudolph, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?), but I’m gonna have to go with A Christmas Carol. I’ve probably seen every single version of it at this point (Muppets, anyone?) and it always gives me the warm and fuzzies.

Christmas Movies

2. What’s on your 2016 Christmas list. Soooooo… I’m horrible at making Christmas lists and there’s literally nothing on mine right now. I mean, I kind of asked for a new lens for my DSLR, but that’s mostly because I was going to buy one anyways and I couldn’t think of anything else, so I just put it on “the list.” It’s not the same when you’re not a kid and can literally buy things whenever you need them!

3. When/how did you learn that Santa wasn’t real? Well I… wait… what do you mean he’s not real? 😟

4. Favorite Christmas song. As much as I love me some Michael Buble, most of my favorite Christmas songs are traditional Polish kolędy (carols) because those are the ones I grew up with and the ones that have the most memories attached to them. That being said… I do have a habit of keeping Michael Buble on repeat…

Buble Christmas

5. Best gift you’ve ever received. A hamster! Okay, so I was super allergic to dogs when I was younger and my parents wouldn’t let me have one. I’m pretty sure I bugged them about it nonstop, so they [kind of] caved and got me a hamster to tide me over. It wasn’t a dog, but it was fluffy and way better than the goldfish I’d had prior to that.

6. Your favorite tree ornament. I don’t really have one. I didn’t take any ornaments with me when I moved out, so I love all the ones I have because a lot of them are from my very first Christmas in my new place. Oh, and they’re all critters…

Christmas Critters

7. Most memorable Christmas. I’m gonna go with one from recent memory here rather than digging way deep into my childhood, so how abouttttt… spending Christmas in a castle in Banff with my family a few years back. That was the first time we really went anywhere around Christmas, and the Fairmont was sooooo beautifully decorated that it was hard not get into the Christmas spirit

Castle Xmas Tree

8. Post a picture of Christmas decor. Will do!

Christmas Decorations

What? No one specified that it actually had to be up.

9. Easiest person to buy for. Myself. Kidding. Kind of. I try not to make a habit out of buying things for myself when I’m out Christmas shopping for others, buuuuuut it usually ends up happening anyways. I have a super hard time trying to figure out the perfect gift for other people, though, so I wouldn’t really say that I find anyone easy to buy for.

10. Favorite holiday scent. The smell of my parents’ place when I go over for Christmas dinner. All the scents coming from the kitchen = comfort to the max.

11. Favorite Christmas tradition. Wigilia, which is a traditional Polish celebration of Christmas Eve. It starts with a meatless dinner made up of traditional Polish dishes, moves on to the opening of presents and just hanging out, and then finishes off with going to midnight mass. Wouldn’t feel like Christmas without it.

12. Wrapping paper or gift bags. Paper because you can’t wildly rip into bags. I mean, I guess you could, but it’s just not as satisfying without the riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip.

. – . – . – .

Part 2 coming next week…

Thinking-Out-Loud2

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Filed Under: Survey/Tag, Thinking Out Loud Tagged With: Christmas, holidays, life, thinking out loud, tradition

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. retainingwallsatl

    December 13, 2020 at 1:40 am

    It won’t make me super uncomfortable, and I really do love the surprise. We watch Love Actually every year. Unfortunately, the husband isn’t as into Serendipity or The Holiday as I am. I love this time of year and buying gifts for people is always so much fun. Most of your music choices are similar to mine too.

    Reply
  2. [email protected]

    December 18, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    What a cute little survey. I really like hearing about other people’s holiday traditions, especially when they are culturally different than mine. I want to join you family one year for the holidays. Surely, Mama Spoons won’t mind although I don’t know if Ave can stay awake for midnight mass. 🙂

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:59 am

      You know we’d love to have you! <3 And I'm pretty sure babies are exempt from having to go 😛 Or they can just sleep through the whole thing.

      Reply
  3. Jess @ Keeping It Real Food

    December 16, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    I always love hearing about other people’s Christmas favorites! I know it’s not a Christmas movie, but I love watching “You’ve Got Mail” this time of year. I also have fond memories of watching Napolean Dynamite with my family on Christmas Eve. As far as Christmas music goes, my dad makes a mix every year. It used to be manually burned CDs and has since evolved into an Epic Spotify playlist.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:58 am

      Love it! I actually have a few burned CDs loaded with Christmas music. I still remember when burning your own was all the rage…

      Reply
  4. Heather @ Polyglot Jot

    December 15, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    I love muppet christmas carol! i just watched it last week–its so cute! I also love Mickeys Christmas Carol–classic!

    Reply
  5. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food

    December 15, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    Christmas movies: Elf, animated Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
    Christmas song: Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. We would listen to the whole Bing Crosby album (in record form) while decorating for Christmas when I was growing up and I loved it!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:57 am

      Omg YES. Bing Crosby is probably my favourite when it comes to any English songs. That voice, though…

      Reply
  6. Joyce @ The Hungry Caterpillar

    December 15, 2016 at 10:02 am

    I love love love those critter ornaments–I have one that’s a hedgehog that I got as a little goody bag gift at a Christmas tea two years ago, and I’m trying to figure out where I can find more. 🙂
    Christmas in a castle sounds kind of awesome! The one thing that would make it better would be drinking wassail.
    No worries on the Christmas decor not being “up” yet. 🙂 My family usually puts up the lights at the beginning of December, but the ornaments and knick knacks won’t go up until close to Christmas Eve.
    Hope Ky is doing well. <3

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:56 am

      I always find my ornaments in Winners, which is basically a Canadian version of Marshall’s or TJMaxx. And Ky seems to be improving a little bit. Thanks for asking, Joyce!

      Reply
  7. Emily Swanson

    December 15, 2016 at 8:26 am

    So those Christmas Tree ornaments are SO CUTE! I’ve never seen ones like that before. And that Christmas in a castle? Wow, that totally sounds like a fairy tale. MERRY CHRISTMAS Amanda!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:55 am

      Merry Christmas to you too, Emily!! xo

      Reply
  8. Runwright

    December 15, 2016 at 8:13 am

    So I used to count Serendipity among my favorite movies, I learned the soundtrack and everything. And then one day, I realized the movie is about a woman breaking off with her fiancé for some guy she just met. I am not sure how much I support that theme anymore but hey… I’ll probably watch it again before the year is over and come back here and change my statement. Haha.
    Elf is probably my favorite Christmas movie these days.
    I love the survey. I’ll probably do a version of it on my YouTube channel. (Runwright Reads if you’d like to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_GIXHEhf_M8revIn6_9iA)

    Reply
  9. Jessie @ The Acquired Sass

    December 15, 2016 at 8:12 am

    I love the little Christmas ‘survey’. I may have to steal some of the questions. I may even use them for Insta inspiration. Ooh. Wheels turning over here.

    My favorite Christmas tradition is going out for Chinese food with the fam, before we drive around to look at Christmas lights & end up at midnight mass, which starts at 11PM, because SLEEP // PRIORITIES. Haha.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:52 am

      Haha! Yeah, ours starts at midnight and you always catch a good handful of people that are nodding off. I try to nap before we go. Or just down a big cup of coffee at around 11 😆

      Reply
  10. Mary

    December 15, 2016 at 7:44 am

    I have to watch White Christmas every year. I have the DVD, but for some reason it’s better on live tv…..weird but true! And Hall and Oates Christmas CD called Home for the Holidays, plays over and over 🙂

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:51 am

      I know exactly what you mean! I always love catching a movie on TV more than I enjoy popping in a DVD. Maybe it’s subconsciously knowing that other people are watching too 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jen Rawson, RD (@PrettyLilGrub)

    December 15, 2016 at 7:22 am

    I’m loving this survey, I might have to steal it for next week. I love learning other peoples Christmas traditions.

    Reply
  12. Jill @ RunEatSnap

    December 15, 2016 at 7:04 am

    Christmas in a castle in Banff sounds awesome!! My favorite Christmas album is Nsync – I just recently listened to it in the car!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:50 am

      Oh man! That takes me back all the way to junior high. Good times!

      Reply
  13. Kimberly G

    December 15, 2016 at 7:03 am

    I still play the Mariah Carey Christmas album every year – it’s my absolute favorite!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:50 am

      Definitely a good choice!

      Reply
  14. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    December 15, 2016 at 5:55 am

    What a fun survey! I love White Christmas! It’s full of cheesy song and dance, which I eat up! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  15. Catherine @ A Cup of Catherine

    December 15, 2016 at 5:53 am

    Definitely using this survey next week – don’t worry, I’ll credit ya 😉
    I am glad you think Santa is real, hehe. And I haven’t watched the muppets version of A Christmas Carol in AGES but must do so now.

    Reply
  16. Emily @ My Healthyish Life

    December 15, 2016 at 5:28 am

    I love this! Wrapping paper is so much more fun…and delays the unwrapping process slightly for the dramatic effect.

    Reply
  17. Rachel @ athleticavocado

    December 15, 2016 at 5:26 am

    How fun and festive! My Mom’s side of the family is polish so we celebrate Christmas “Polish style” too! I’ve grown up to appreciate my family’s culture much more because of our traditions and it wouldn’t be Christmas without them. Have a great day 🙂

    Reply
  18. Rachel

    December 15, 2016 at 5:22 am

    How fun! I love serendipity!

    My link got lost again. Whomp whomp. Can you help? 🙂

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:49 am

      Definitely! I’m regularly going through and checking to make sure no one is stuck 🙂

      Reply
  19. Patricia @Sweet and Strong

    December 15, 2016 at 5:10 am

    Literally I think it’s impossible to not shop for yourself a little bit this time of year. There are so many good deals, plus I always need new winter clothes.

    Reply
  20. Jennifer @ Fit Nana

    December 15, 2016 at 5:04 am

    I love the Muppets Christmas Carol! And….my favorite Christmas CD is a real oldie – Mitch Miller. We used to listen to that when we drove to my grandparents’ for the holidays and “Must Be Santa” was ALWAYS on repeat. My dad made me a CD of it a few years ago and it’s definitely the CD I reach for first! Sometimes, it’s not even Christmas. haha

    Reply
  21. Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday

    December 15, 2016 at 5:03 am

    Christmas shopping in my family usually mostly means we shop for ourselves and then ask other people what items they want to claim credit for. Then, we wrap them up, put “from: ______” on them, and take them to Christmas. The little kids are the main exception and we all generally manage to get surprised for one gift or something.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:48 am

      Lolol! There were a handful of years where we did that as well. Kind of sucks to not have the surprise, but at least you like everything you get 🙂

      Reply
  22. Hollie

    December 15, 2016 at 4:54 am

    I like reading about your Holiday choices. I love this time of year and buying gifts for people is always so much fun. Most of your music choices are similar to mine too.

    Reply
  23. Susie @ SuzLyfe

    December 15, 2016 at 4:17 am

    I’m hard to buy for, because I just want to buy the things for myself. But I will say that it also makes me the most appreciative when someone really blows me out of the water!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:45 am

      It really is tough asking for things when you can literally get whatever you need when you need it. I try to stop buying things for myself around the beginning of November and just stick them on the list 😆

      Reply
  24. Chocolaterunsjudy

    December 15, 2016 at 3:36 am

    I love the squirrel ornaments!

    We watch Love Actually every year. Unfortunately the husband isn’t as into Serendipity or The Holiday as I am.

    I’m Jewish, most of the questions are kind of hard for me, but who doesn’t shop for themselves at this time of year? Even my trip to Target yesterday ended up being dangerous!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:44 am

      Confession: I’m not even sure I’ve ever seen Love Actually… which is horrible because I know a lot of people say it’s their favourite holiday movie!

      Reply
  25. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood

    December 15, 2016 at 3:24 am

    This is so fun! i didn’t make a ‘list’ and it makes my husband so mad, but I’m of the mindset that he should just know things I like? Lists of things I want make me super uncomfortable, and I really do love the surprise. As for favorite person to buy for -Ryan is 2.5 this year and omg it’s the BEST.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      December 19, 2016 at 11:44 am

      Ooooomg! Christmas with kids is seriously amazing. Their excitement is so infectious!

      Reply

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I'm Amanda - health coach, cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, makeup junkie, and the blogger behind Running with Spoons - a blog dedicated to proving that healthy snacking doesn't have to be tasteless or boring, one delicious recipe at a time. More about Amanda →

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