What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

[charlotte49ers]

If you are a Scrooge and hate the holidays, this thread's not for you. :-P

I love, love, love the lights and decorations! I also love how generous people are at this time of the year. One of my students' family is having a very hard time financially this year and my mom's office rallied to provide their entire Christmas. I think that is so awesome!

I also love the cheesy, made for TV Christmas movies. I'll admit it. Give me a Hallmark movie marathon in December and I'm a very happy girl.

This is also the first year my son "gets it," and that has been so much fun to see. :D We're going to Gatlinburg, TN tomorrow night for their big Christmas parade, so I'm hoping it can become a tradition for our family.

[sbs_mjc1]

Snow, decorations, and Christmas carolers.
My absolute fave in the decorations department is greenery with white or blue lights-- so pretty! And Gaelic Christmas carols! And this year we have beautiful snow here in Glasgow (yeah, everyone's complaining about it).

Michael (via Skype, about a minute ago) sends along a hearty 'Bah, Humbug!' to all of y'all who celebrate Christmas.

[Cookie]

The decorations and the movies. The Grinch and Rudolph are my favorite movies.
I also love atmosphere. It just seems that everyone is in a good mood. You can almost feel it in the air.

[stephmcgee]

My birthday. Even if I feel old.

[steve]

Eggnog and brandy.

[dios4vida]

Everyone smiles during the holidays. I love it. I went to the doctor yesterday and everyone - even the people getting blood drawn (yours truly included) were happy and chatting with each other. And I love the decorations. Everything sparkles. And I can gorge myself on Christmas music and movies and snacks and be the happiest little camper ever.

We don't have snow (for heaven's sake, it's almost 80 today!!) or anything, so I guess I leech as much Christmas spirit out of everything I can.

[Watcher55]

The Fireplace

[Quill]

The darkness. It's such a relief not to have to look at the sun for twelve to fourteen hours per day. The hibernation. The staying in, in pajamas without feeling guilty. The rest and relaxation. The recreation. The taking stock, the feeling of plenty. Candlelight. And to a degree, carols.

[cheekychook]

The darkness. It's such a relief not to have to look at the sun for twelve to fourteen hours per day. The hibernation. The staying in, in pajamas without feeling guilty. The rest and relaxation. The recreation. The taking stock, the feeling of plenty. Candlelight. And to a degree, carols.

Staying in, in pajamas is seasonal? Uh oh...

[Mira]

I love the holidays! I love the food and the decorations and the presents.

I guess one of my very favorite things is Christmas lights. I like driving through neighborhoods and seeing the decorations. It feels very homey and cheery and all communityish.

[Claudie]

Snow. I live in the north and we get it all the time, but I'll never stop loving snow, even if it's the 17th feet of it we get (yes, that happened. Winter '07-'08)

In addition to snow: seeing my extended family. We're spread all around the province, but the annual gathering for Christmas is always a blast. I adore my family. They're the best. :D

[HillaryJ]

I love Christmas Eve. Loved it when I was a kid and I felt like I could stay awake forever, I was so excited. Now I like putting sweet child 'o mine to bed and watching a Christmas movie with my husband while we wrap the last of the presents, usually the ones we've hidden from each other in drawers and car trunks. Neither of us peek even though we're in the same room, I swear.

[dios4vida]

I love Christmas movies, as well. One of my absolute favorites is an obscure claymation Christmas special from '87. My mom taped it and we've watched it every year since. It's a collection of a few carols done with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Those who are old enough to remember the '80s will enjoy (or groan at) the cameo by The California Raisins. :) This is one of the most popular songs, to spread some Christmas spirit:



Someone posted the entire show in three segments (the whole thing is only 25 minutes), so if you want more the first segment can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD7BeutpkS4.

I hope y'all enjoy as much as I do!!

[Sommer Leigh]

My Lego Christmas village. Also: Watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

[charlotte49ers]

Christmas movies! That reminds me!

A Christmas Story marathon on TBS. Love it. My husband thinks I'm insane. I, on the otherhand, want a leg lamp.