I love Christmastime.
Ross and I are always in charge of decorating the tree. This year we almost didn't have a tree, because originally my mom wanted to put a live tree outside (my dad is allergic). I voted for setting up the fake tree inside, because it just didn't seem as festive to have the Christmas tree outside, away from the festivities. Ross and I set to work:
Delicately placed ornaments (and stale candy canes) on the branches.
Ross and I are always in charge of decorating the tree. This year we almost didn't have a tree, because originally my mom wanted to put a live tree outside (my dad is allergic). I voted for setting up the fake tree inside, because it just didn't seem as festive to have the Christmas tree outside, away from the festivities. Ross and I set to work:
Delicately placed ornaments (and stale candy canes) on the branches.
Tinsel flung unabashedly all over the place.
For Christmas Eve dinner the next night, we carved a “roast beast.” At one point the conversation branched into two completely separate conversations that managed to intersect hilariously. The topics were 'roast beef' and 'body anatomy' (with a focus on a particular region...ahem). I'll just say that at one point there was discussion of a “strip” and something being “clean cut”...it was either New York strip steak, or...Yeah.
And today is Christmas Day!!! I put red food coloring in the frosting for the cinnamon rolls that accompanied my dad's Christmas brunch pear pie. Yumm!!
And today is Christmas Day!!! I put red food coloring in the frosting for the cinnamon rolls that accompanied my dad's Christmas brunch pear pie. Yumm!!
I always struggle with the feeling that unwrapping the presents is anticlimactic in some way, but ultimately curiosity wins out and I just focus on tearing through all the wrapping paper and tape!
Ross got gifts from "Victoria's Secret" and "L'Oreal." Hilarious!
I love all my gifts, though my favorite part about the presents this year was that mine (as in, the ones I gave) were all themed. I felt like I needed to make up for Christmas 2008 when I announced that everyone's Christmas present that year would be my presence (I was a scroogy recent college graduate, don't judge!). My conscience beat me into submission, and I ended up running to Safeway to purchase some truly last minute items: gift cards. I cringe whenever I look back on my 2008 Christmas spirit, so this year I went all out to make up for it. I bought everyone two gifts that correlated ingeniously, just like last night's dinner conversation about...steak.
Dad's theme: Music
Musicophilia: the effect of music on the brain (Oliver Sacks) and David Garrett's new CD
Mom's theme: Books
Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami) and a mug that says "A book, a cat...life is great!"
Ross's theme: Money
The movie Blank Check and a homemade gambling certificate (just the slot machines, don't worry!)
I got many wonderful gifts, too! I did my Mary Murphy 'Hot Tamale Train' impression when I unwrapped this one! (skip ahead to :40 in the video):
Merry Christmas, everybody!