Monthly Musings November 2024: Holiday Fun

 

I think I am finally ready to say, that the holiday season is right around the corner. With Thanksgiving coming up next week, and falling pretty late in November this year, the holiday season is basically here. This gal is excited! 

Due to Thanksgiving next week, Holly and I scheduled Monthly Musings a week early for November. We hope that the tips, tricks and holiday fun that the talented group of writers that join us every month will help inspire you this holiday season. I am so ready for this post.

1. Any holiday parties on tap?

It's slightly early for holiday party invites, but we did get one this week and I am hoping we can make this one.

2. Best holiday prep advice?

Oh I have so much advice there. I think like anything, try to be as organized as possible. 

Here are a few specifics: 

-I have an app I use that tracks all of the gifts you buy by person. You can even look back at what you have given people in previous years so that you don't duplicate things.

-Hire a high schooler or college-age girl to help you if you need it. I hate to wrap and hire my friend's daughter to wrap for me every year. She wraps all of the family gifts. Santa doesn't need help because he has the elves.

-Santa is super nice and he doesn't mind a break and bake cookie. Cookies for Santa do not need to be fancy. 

-Start decorating on Black Friday if you don't decorate earlier. 

-Make sure you spent some quiet time with your immediate family during the holidays. A movie at home or in the theater, a fun dinner after church or even a Turkey Trot or Jingle Jog is a great way to slow down a little and have some family holiday fun.

This post from a few years ago has some additional tips too. 

3. Share a holiday appetizer recipe that is a crowd pleaser.

The Ultimate Party Meatballs from the Ocean Spray website is where it is at. I know that everyone has had the ones with the grape jelly, but honestly, these are way Better. These have more tang and are not as sweet. 

When I make these for a party, I basically have to make a triple batch or they are gone in 15 minutes. These really seem to be a hit with the gentleman guests for some reason. 

My other tip is to buy the chili sauce in early December. For some reason, the closer you get to Christmas, the harder the chili sauce is to find. 

4. What holidays do you celebrate in November and December?

In November, we celebrate Thanksgiving and in December we will celebrate Christmas.

5. Favorite holiday beverage? Alcohol or alcohol-free.

I love a holiday beverage of any kind. For alcohol-free Starbucks has a new sugar cookie almond milk latte. They show it as iced but I have them make it hot. I also ask for only one pump of syrup. I also love a peppermint mocha. I go light on this one too with only one pump of syrup and no whip.

For cocktails, I love a cranberry Aperol spritz. I will share the recipe soon!

6. What part of holiday prep is a struggle for you?

My name is Patty and I am on the gift-wrapping struggle bus and my stop is not coming any time soon. I am really bad at wrapping. My wrapping speed is beyond slow and I get really bored after about three gifts. I know some people love it and great beautiful wrapped gifts, but I am not that girl.

This is why I hire a college friend to help me wrap gifts. 

7. Go-to holiday outfit?

My go-to holiday outfit is a great pair of black pants and a tartan top.  I have a really pretty tartan top  I purchased a few years ago from J. Crew Factory after Christmas when it was on sale. I love it and I love this look.

This version is very similar to what I have but updated for 2024.

This look could literally go anywhere.

8. Do you send holiday cards?

Honestly, I gave up holiday cards a long time ago. We never really have time to take a photo and I also don't have time to get the addressing accomplished. There are certain tasks that you just have to let go of during the holiday season and holiday cards is mine.

9. Black Friday shopper? Yes or heck no! 

I do shop on Black Friday but only very early in the morning and only for a few hours. I like to shop on Black Friday because the deals are Good and I like having a day to focus on Christmas shopping. I also shop a lot online during Black Friday and the weekend.

10. Do you listen to holiday music before or after Thanksgiving?

I have already broken the seal and started listening to Christmas music. I had a project I needed to lock in on this week, so I closed my door and checked to see if the holiday music had started yet on one of our local stations WASH-FM. I was very happy to find out that the holiday music started and the first song I hear was It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams. This song is one of my absolute favorites and just says Christmas to me.

I was able to focus and get my project done. Sometimes you just need to close your door, turn the Christmas music on and get your projects completed.

Oh that was so fun! I cannot wait to read the posts of the writers who join us. I hope you have the Best holiday season this year.

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