Welcome to the last Monthly Musings of 2025. We are sharing a week early this month as next Thursday is Christmas. First, I want to thank everyone that participated in Monthly Musings this year. Whether you particpated every month or just a few times, you are such a special part of this community and I truly love reading your posts every month. I would also like to thank my co-host Holly who puts up with my typos in the graphics, my last minute reminders and has rolled with the punches with me on our monthly link-ups for around eight years now.
Ok, are you ready to talk holidays? I am!
1. What holidays do you celebrate?
We will celebrate Christmas and New Year's. I do also love the story of Hanukkah.
2. Scale of 1 to 10-how into the holidays are you this year? Be honst.
I would say for 2025 I am a solid 7. I decorated early this year and it really helped me get into the spirit.
3. Favorite things to make/bake during the holidays?
I love to make cranberry meatballs and they are kind of my siganture dish for the holidays. I am not much of a baker but I did make some Christmas cookies last year. I may do a few batches this weekend if I feel inspired. I will probably make Monster cookies and then try the cookies that you make with cake mix and add in some M & Ms.
4. Favorite holiday movies?
I love all Christmas movies. Not including Hallmark here are some of my favorites:
White Christmas
The Family Stone
Four Christmases
Meet Me in St. Louis
Our Little Secret
Bad Moms Christmas
Christmas Vacation
I am not going to lie to you Besties, I found the Hallmark line-up a little lack luster this year. I did think Single on the 25th was great. For my favorite Hallmark movies from years past check out this post and this one.
5. Most random holiday tradition?
When the Hallmark Christmas movies are on 24/7, Running Daddy and I get up in the morning, pour a coffee and catch about an hour of a movie. It's a really nice way to start the day. Fun fact, I am not tte only person I know that does this.
I always make everyone stay in bed on Christmas morning while I make sure that Santa actually came. Really what I am doing is making sure Santa (and really Mrs. Claus) has not forgotten anything. Once I confirm that Santa indeed stop by the house, everyone can get out of bed.
Speaking of Santa...we have never discussed Santa in our house. Yes, Hockey Guy is in college.
6. Are you hosting for the holidays? New Year's Eve or New Year's Day?
I am not hosting this year. I am hoping to have small groups of people over during the break.
7. Favorite way to ring in the New Year?
I can either get together with friends or honestly have a great dinner at home with movies. I am not super into New Year's Eve.
8. Any New Year's resolutions or Word of the Year?
I didn't even struggle coming up with my word for 2026. I know my word for 2026 is peace. If something is not going to give me peace, I need to just let it be.
9. Favorite holiday songs?
Ok, I always love this question. Mine are below.
"Most Wonderful Time of the Year-"Andy Williams version
"Joy to the World"
"Breath of Heaven"-Amy Grant
"Christmas to Remember"-Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
10. Favorite holiday memory?
I remember being in pre-school and we went into Boston to see Santa. When we were in the toy department I saw a Mary Poppins doll and she has several outfits and even the cool Mary Poppins bag. I remember being so excited when Santa brought me that Mary Poppins doll. I can literally stil see her in my mind.
That's a wrap for December and Monthly Musings 2025. If you are joining us for Monthly Musings, use the link-up below. Please also link back to Holly and me and if you have time, please try to read and comment on three of the writers that joined us below.
Happy holidays to you all. I truly apprecaite each and every person who stops by here. If you have anything you want to see more of on Good Better Best Life in 2026, either leave it in the comments or feel free to email me at goodbetterbestfood@gmail.com.
It has been such a JOY blogging with you over the years my friend. Your cranberry meatballs also always sound wonderful! So cute that you never discussed Santa- love that! :)
ReplyDeleteRight back at ya girl!
DeleteThat Amy Grant song is a good one- that whole album of hers is a great Christmas classic. Agree that cranberry meatballs sound really good. Thanks for the link up!
ReplyDeleteI always liked Kenny Roger's Christmas in Kentucky. My mom and grandmother are/were both huge Kenny Roger's fans so I heard that song nearly every Christmas of my childhood.
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