A Hodges Style Christmas!
J and I do our holidays a little differently now. The first few years we were married, the holidays left us stressed, frazzled, and exhausted. We’d end our “vacation” feeling more tired than when it started. So a few years ago, we made a decision.
And now we stay home for the holidays.
What that meant for us, though, was that it was time to start our own traditions! I have a few things from my childhood that I need for it to feel like christmas. And so does he. So we married those things to create our own holiday traditions! I’ve partnered up with Man Crates, an awesome new company who create the best gift crates filled with all sorts of goodies for men that he actually has to open with a crowbar, to bring you guys a His & Hers version of our Holiday Survival Kit! (Also, just real quick, what man wouldn’t want a gift they need a crowbar to open? Just sayin’).
Holiday Survival Kit by hodgespodges featuring winter candles
For it to feel like Christmas, I need the following:
- Fleece Lined Leggings. Okay. That’s a little specific. But basically, my parents’ house was known as the “happy pants” house. My siblings would all do their rounds on Christmas all dressed up, and by time they ended up at my parents’ house, they’d just want to change into “happy pants.” So no, I don’t do the dress up thing on Christmas.
- Red Wine. Since I was old enough to drink (and mayyyyyyybe just a little before then) I’ve enjoyed a glass of red on the days leading up to the holiday. Now, it’s a little less necessary since I’m not in a house with all of my siblings and countless family members for days on end, but you get the point 😉
- Bath & Body Works Winter: Okay. This one is more recent. Back in 2012, J was already living in Buies Creek and I was still in Charlotte. That Christmas, J came home for several weeks. I’d just bought this candle and it burned that whole holiday season. We spent the night in a homemade fort. We built a ginger-bread house from scratch. We spent an entire day on the couch watching Christmas movies. All with that candle burning. It was such a special holiday that now I need the scent to feel like “home” at Christmas time. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a Bath & Body Works on the regular, so I have to improvise. Never fear! There are a couple dupes for this! Glade Hayride melts & Better Homes & Gardens Winter Ski Resort candle (walmart)!
- M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies: Since I can remember, my sister has made M&M chocolate chip cookies at Christmas, and therefore it’s not Christmas unless I have some of those. Now that we stay home, I make a few batches here!
- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation: This is the holy grail of my Christmas. Back when I wasn’t even old enough to understand half the movie, this has been the epitome of Christmas at my parents’ house! So now the week of Christmas, we’re sure to have a Christmas Vacation night!
Hubs Survival by hodgespodges featuring a food & drink
Things are a little different for the husband. All he asked was that we carry on his family’s tradition of watching the Home Alones (uh, duh, only the first two) and order pizza! Uh, a tradition that involves pizza and I don’t have to cook or clean up? Fine by me!
He also enjoys:
- Crown Royal: + diet coke. Tis his drink of choice.
- Slippers: It’s pretty much the only time of the year that he actually wears slippers. Of course he has to have a pair that has an actual sole because if Santa brings him anything that he can play with outside, he runs straight out the door to test it out.
- Terry’s Orange Chocolate: I’ve learned that it’s just not Christmas morning if there isn’t one of these in his stocking. Yeah. I found that out the hard way a few years ago… haha!
What are some of your must haves for the holidays?
linked with Becky
