ten things tuesday...

Ten traditions for the holiday season:

1) Gathering at Dad's for a family sing-a-long. The first year he suggested it we all thought it was too corny. Now it's fun, festive and filled with laughter and joking. We love it.

2) Dad's concerts. The variety of music and the showmanship is wonderful. Really fills me with the Christmas spirit. He is a remarkably gifted musician and conductor. Plus it is fun to see him doing what he really loves.

3) Cuppa-cuppa-cuppa. A family tradition. Best dip. Ever.

4) Driving around to look at Christmas lights. I do this every Christmas Eve. Usually in my fuzzy pajamas. The city sparkles. Some streets are lined with luminaries and it's lovely.

5) Wrapping on Christmas Eve. Every year I save it all for after the light drive. I stay up until I'm finished.

6) Christmas movies--Miracle on 34th Street is generally my wrapping movie. I kick off the season with Christmas Vacation. Elf usually is viewed a couple of times. Love Actually has become a tradition, too. Sometimes I watch that on Christmas night.

7) Breakfast with Becky. She and her family are here for the holidays and we always get up early in the morning on Christmas Eve for breakfast and last minute shopping.

8) New Year's Eve with Valerie. That's been our big night out for a few years. Sometimes we play cards. Or dice games. We have Chinese food and watch chick flicks. And gab.

9) When Harry Met Sally. Always at the New Year. Either during the day of New Year's Eve or on New Year's Day. It's my must-see.

10) Early morning shopping. Usually I get up at my regular school time to hit the stores before 7 on the weekends so it's not crazy-hectic. This year I really didn't do much shopping (not in stores, a lot was done online) so I didn't get up to go early.