A few of my favorite things...

• Hot chocolate WITH marshmallows.  Without it, seriously, why bother?
• Lights.  Lots and lots of lights.  But even more than the lights themselves is getting to experience my sweet husband turn into Clark Griswold in the front yard, semi-cursing and trying relentlessly to get each and every bulb to work.  Oh the laughs I had at his expense this year :)
•  The smell of the Christmas tree.  Sure its a pagan tradition, but its awesome, and it smells great.  And since God made trees, I don't see the problem.
• Cream cheese.  I mean, is there anything better?  And it seems to be in everything during the holidays.  The more the merrier.  Who cares if its not REALLY cheese?  Processed or not, its delicious, and I love it.
• Did I mention chocolate?  
• A wood burning fireplace.  I absolutely LOVE watching a fire burn.  Its mezmorizing, and the smell is great too.
• Christmas sweaters.  Still.  
• Christmas carols.  Except for the sad ones and the one about meeting the old girlfriend at the gas station and buying beer.  Its stupid, doesn't sound good and it makes me furious.  I don't know why really, but I swear I want to punch someone everytime I hear it.
• Crafts that the kids make.  They are "snow adorable".  Ah ha, ah ha.
• Not having to dust the furniture.  Everything in our living room is covered in some type of Christmas decor.  I am having a blast NOT dusting all of it.  
• Shopping.  Its fun. 
• My Christmas village.  I want to be transported to that tiny world.  Everyone there is smiling and happy.  There don't seem to be any women with buggies full of toys trampeling down the isles and huffing because you're standing in the way.  I mean, there might be those types there, but I bet at that size I could do more than just attack them with vicious rhetoric.  
• Movies.  I have watched some pretty lame movies, but they're great because its Christmas.  Im sure that they will once again become lame on December 26.
• Time with my kiddos.  Im looking forward to them being out of school.  I loved the summer, having them wake me up in the morning, so I know I will enjoy them being home during the holidays.

• And last but not least, time with the hubby.  We drink hot chocolate, enjoy the crackling fire and snuggle.  Its dreamy :)