It’s that time of year again….well, for me anyway.  I know it is a bit early for some of you to start thinking about Christmas.  I do understand wanting to give Halloween and Thanksgiving equal attention before we move right on to Santa Claus sliding down the chimney.   Even though I love trick-or-treaters at the door and a huge turkey on my table, I tend to gravitate towards Christmas as soon as possible.  It is my favorite holiday, after all. 

Maybe part of my love for it is because I get to make lists.  It seems like I am constantly making a list for one thing or another and there are so many lists to make when it comes to the holidays!  Who to buy for, what to buy them, what to bake and a grocery list for all of that.  I think I love all of the prep work just as much as the holiday itself.  It’s kind of like when you’re planning a vacation.  You make a list of what to pack so you don’t forget anything, things you want to do when you get there, etc.  Speaking of vacations, do you stay home for the holidays or do you go visit family or friends?  Is this your time of year to just take a vacation to relax and not get caught up in all the holiday madness?

Can you guess where I want to be this year at Christmas?  That is the plan, anyway.  The reservations have been made, the deposits have been paid and the Christmas shopping has begun!  I am glad the kids are asking for things small in size this year as it will make traveling with these gifts easier.  I have a few things I want to buy them once we get there, but they are all on the small side, too.  Besides, our tree will be tabletop size this year as we will be in a resort.  That should make the presents look bigger, right? 

I know it will be total madness there, but I intend to ignore the negative parts of it as much as possible.  I want to see all the decorations, sample the holiday treats and just enjoy the time there with my family.  The fact that Santa will visit and leave us presents will just be a plus!  Maybe, if his reindeer are lucky, Tinkerbell will sprinkle him with pixie dust and he can fly from room to room delivering goodies and let Rudolph and the boys have a nap before the rest of his trip.  Oh wait, there have to be happy thoughts involved…I wonder what Santa’s happy thoughts are?  For that matter, what are your happy thoughts?  What do you want Santa to leave under your tree this year?  It’s never too early to start making out that list, you know! 

 Here are some things I’m going to have on mine:

Cookie Cutters

Cook Books

Cookie Sheets

Anything with cupcakes on it

Pot Holders

Kitchen Towels

Flavored Coffee

Different shaped cake pans

Oh, and PEACE ON EARTH!

Just about anything to do with cooking or baking would do.  Let me know what you are putting on your list this year.  It might give me a good idea for a gift for someone else…or remind me of something I’ve forgotten to put on mine. 😉