I'm with Ali. Love the gatherings and get togethers with people I don't see often. Also I enjoy the opportunity to do some crafts creating decor items

Family

Spending time with family.

This time of year I seem to get more phone calls and texts from my grandkids. :)

I'm kidding just a little bit but it does seem like I'm more interesting to them. Haha.

My favorite used to be the tree lot. I'm very skilled at choosing nice trees while they are still tied in string. So opening only one or two for our own tree did not fulfil my hunt desire. I used to return to help other customers choose, remove strings (amazing how many people do not bring something to cut those!), hold and turn so they can get a good look, guard potential picks, help organize and move trees, offer hand wipes for sap removal, etc. Customers, and lot employees, were usually surprised if they learned that I wasn't actually an employee!

Get togethers with friends and sharing wonderful food and stories. When we are able to travel and see family that's a bonus.

I used to do some crafts and decorating but in Freedom I have very limited space. My friend suggested recently that we should buy lots of lights and literally cover Freedom with lights on the outside lol. It would be a great sight but neither of us could manage that.

What I love most is the real reason for the season.

Family and the meal and I love the Christmas cards and letters I get.

Sue

family, first and foremost

the real reason for Christmas

religious Christmas music

family heirloom ornaments/decorations. some are from the 40-50's

a week of from work- lots of "down" time

seeing friends during that week off

The birth of Jesus! And knowing that God planned His incarnation from the foundation of the earth.

The smells, the music, the special Christmas programs. Went to a church program last night and it was so beautiful. Love the decorations and all the festivities.

Can't wait for Benjamin Britten's Lessons and Carols service at our church next Sunday. My favorite service of the year!

At my age, there are no parties anymore - most people my age went to FL right after Thanksgiving and won't be back until May (gotta get those 6 months in to be a FL resident!).

I'm hoping that getting started on decorating my house on Sun with DGS will get me in the spirit - sort of hard when one has significant mobility issues.

Friends, decorating the house, hosting and attending parties, wrapping presents...

I love the real reason for the season as others have already mentioned. I love seeing the Living Nativity presentation that a local church does every year.

I also love cheesy Christmas Movies, the old classic Christmas music, all of the lights and decorations, and the opportunity (if the weather is cool enough) to have a fire in the fireplace. We always get extra time with the kids and grandkids too, it's a pretty exciting time for little ones.

The light display at our Botanical Garden (DH and I volunteer at this), the Living Christmas Tree choral program we sing in every year (7 performances with full orchestra plus a short program for small children, all for the community, no charge). And I love a few of the classic, cheesy movies too. And fun times with the kids and grandkids.

I like baking the family recipe for molasses cut out cookies. I dislike icing them, so instead use a paring knife to "engrave" some of them before baking: 'eyes' and saddles on the reindeers, whiskers on kittens, spots on dogs, feathers on birds, etc.

About two weeks until Christmas ... need to start baking!

I like ugly Christmas sweaters. They are simply fun. I like the funny Christmas stunts my family pulls. We are big on practical jokes. i like the annual Christmas picture. It can be a simple snapshot or a professional shop, but I want one picture that has us in that year.

Spending time with family and friends. Seeing the wonder in the little one's eyes is priceless. Children with their innocence, make Christmas magical.

Rejoicing in the beautiful mystery of the Incarnation.

Christmas lights on dark, snowy nights, and being cozy inside in front of the fire.

Going to the sing-along Messiah each year--really a fun time

Many restful days off work

I enjoy the reason for the season.

The cookies and houses decorated with lights as daylight reaches its shortest.

What Gigi said plus all of the festivities leading up to Christmas.

Egg nog