To Make Your Season Bright: Christmas Must-Haves (Part 2)

I adore the entire Christmas season for so many different reasons: One, they're the perfect excuse to overeat and indulge; two, it's a time for families to come together (despite their differences) and create new memories with one another; three, I get ti drag out all my favorite holiday-inspired decor and four, the house is always open for partying, family and new acquaintances.  It's one of the warmest and most enjoyable times of the year.

On that note, there are tons of items that make my holidays memorable and the picture (from Part 1) shows just that.  Things I need to make Christmas even more fabulous are:

The Ugly Christmas Sweater

Christmas is just not Christmas without an ugly Christmas sweater.  Seriously it's just not.  Allan and I are throwing an UCS (Ugly Christmas Sweater) Party on the 17th with prizes and everything.  I'm so stoked to take pics and share them with all of you!

The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

I am drawn to goofy looking Christmas trees.  I have my big skinny tree up in my living room right now covered with all my favorite ornaments and I have my Charlie Brown tree in the guest bathroom.  Whenever I see a new bare, skinny tree I just have to buy it.

Presents and Wrapped Treasure

I know that I'm not the only one that loves presents but I actually enjoy giving them a lot more than receiving.  Shopping for others is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.  Plus, the best part of giving gifts is finding that perfect item for someone important to you.

Snowmen

It's no surprise that I am beyond obsessed with snowmen.  (I know I've blogged about it before.)  However, I am extremely picky about the ones I buy.  They are to be unique, different and have a really nice pecker.  (Yes, ladies, a great nose...)  My Christmas tree is filled with hundreds of snowmen doing everything from ballet to skiing to shopping to riding rockets.  I adore them all...

Ballet Ornaments

As I'm sure most of you know, I danced for many many many years.  (17 years to be exact).  I was a jack of all trades when it came to dance (tap, jazz, song and dance, troupe, ballet and pointe) but ballet was my passion.  It was my life for such a long time that it's no surprise I would collect ballet ornaments.  I have so many exquisite collector's pieces that I barely have the room to display them all.

Shortbread

Ummmm, yummy is all I have to say about this one.  I have the absolute best shortbread recipe and it is soooo easy to make.  Shortbread can be done in so many different ways and it always tastes delicious.

Elvis Presley Christmas Album

I grew up listening to Elvis.  My dad was a huge Elvis fan and played (and sang) his songs all the time.  So much, in fact, that I know every song he ever sang and wrote by heart.  Needless to say, his Christmas album is always the first one I pop into my CD player.

What are your holiday must-haves? (PS, this post goes along with Part 1 which is displayed below.)