Jessica's Christmas Traditions

 It took all of us to get Amelia to take a picture with Santa. Pic on the right is of my brother and I with a family friend and Santa one Christmas Eve (my brother's nickname when he was little was The Barbarian; hence the lack of clothes).

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I am one of those people who waste no time getting Christmas decorations up. This year they went up a week before Thanksgiving. I know, ridiculous but I LOVE the spirit of Christmas and in my opinion, one month is too short. In following Mallory's previous post, here are some of my Christmas favorites!

Sparkle and Love

Favorite Childhood Christmas tradition(s):

My mother is from Panama. Like in many Latin cultures, Christmas Eve is a big celebration in itself. The day is spent cooking and visiting with friends. Come evening, we attend a candlelight service, snack on our favorite finger foods, and at midnight open presents! To help the time pass, as we eagerly waited for midnight to come, we would watch Christmas movies and play games as a family. It was always such a special time and I have since carried on the tradition with my own family.

Favorite new tradition:

When my eldest was little, a girlfriend and I started taking the kids for a ride around the local neighborhoods at night to view all the Christmas lights. We pack popcorn and play Christmas music as we slowly proceed down the streets taking in all the decorative lights. It is something we come to cherish and do each year. 

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Favorite Christmas movie:

Elf! I have seen it a million times and it still cracks me up.

Favorite decor tip:

Give some life to your artificial garland and wreaths by tucking in real tree trimmings. Holley branches and magnolia leaves make attractive additions.  Also, avoid unnecessary nail holes and unsightly cords by using 3M hooks and battery operated lights. Game changer!

Favorite dish you look forward to each Christmas:

Hands down my mom’s sweet potato casserole. It has become a favorite for many.

What Did You Eat?

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

Crust Topping:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 stick of melted butter

Sweet Potato Mixture:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, well beaten
1 stick of melted butter

Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter in mixing bowl. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the surface of the sweet potato mixture evenly with the crust mixture. Bake for 30 minutes.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Mallory's Christmas Traditions

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Yes, I truly believe that.  Christmas is a great time for making memories and remembering old traditions.  We thought we spend this week sharing a few of our favorites, including the recipes for our favorite dishes we look forward to each Christmas!   

Favorite childhood Christmas tradition(s):

We went to a Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree.  The hunt for the tree and the hayride were fun, but the best part was getting it home and decorating it as a family.  We'd turn the lights down and turn up the Christmas music, and it was like my own little heaven.  I also loved having a mini tree of my own to decorate in my room.  I'd fall asleep each night just staring at the lights.  I can't wait for my girls to get to do the same.

Me (left) and my sister in our matching PJs.

Favorite new tradition:

We attend the candlelight service on Christmas Eve and go driving around looking at lights and listening to Christmas music as a family afterward.  It's truly a night of lights!  There's not much more beautiful than being in a room full of candlelight with everyone around lifting their voices to the King.  I also want to start hosting a Wrapping Party for me and my friends to get together and enjoy food, drinks and making our family's presents look beautiful. 

Image via Inspired By This

Favorite Christmas movie:

Prancer, circa 1989.  I still like to watch it every year.  The small town living, childhood love of Christmas that Jessica has, the cleaning up of the old lady's attic (weird I know, but I seriously LOVE cleaning out and organizing other people's spaces), restoring Christmas joy to so many and of course a sweet reindeer---ahhh what's not to love?  

Favorite decorating tip:

Pick a color or theme and run with it, from the ornaments to the wrapping--keeping a similar palette helps everything be cohesive for a well-thought-out look.  Also, incorporate lights in indoor decor wherever you can.  Everything looks more magical when it's glowing :)

Favorite Dish:

Christmas morning we always had a yummy breakfast on my mom's Christmas china consisting of cinnamon rolls, bacon, grits and and breakfast casserole to name a few.  I now make the breakfast casserole for my family as well, and I love that it can be made the day before and just popped in the oven the next morning.  There's enough going on Christmas morning to worry about any major baking!  

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
Ingredients
1 pound sausage (I use Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage)
6 eggs
2 cups milks
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
8 slices white bread, cut off crust and cut into 1/2 cubes-scissors or a pizza cutter work great
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Black pepper, to taste

Directions
In a skillet, brown and crumble sausage; drain and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs; add milk, salt and mustard. Place bread cubes in bottom of 9 x 13 pan. Add cheese and then cooked sausage. Pour egg mixture on top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!