Christmas Morning Traditions

Tartan Shep Shirt c/o// Silk Pajamas// Tartan Mug

On Christmas Eve, my family and I go to mass and then we have a huge party at our house with family and friends. In the past on Summer Wind,  I've written about our Christmas Eve. We've been having this party since I was born! So much food, cocktails, family and friends, singing, dancing, and even later in the night, we play flip cup!! The weirdest thing, but also the coolest, is that we all gather around our piano and sing Christmas carols, BUT at one point, we sing Viva La Vida by Coldplay. Every. Single. Year. No one can remember why we do this, but we have been doing it for at least 6 or 7 years! We always take video of this and looking back on videos, they are hilarious! It is truly one of the best nights of the year-- I actually love it even more than Christmas! 

However, Christmas morning is so much fun! Now that my sister, Callie, and I are both grown, we really like to sleep in! Once we go downstairs, we all make cappuccinos, put on Christmas music, put on the Christmas Story Marathon (on silent) and then we sit around the tree enjoying our coffee. First, we each open our stockings one by one. Even Mac has his own stocking. Opening stockings is my favorite part. I love all of the cute things my parents come up with to fill up our stockings! 

I love telling this story, but when Mac had his first Christmas with us, we had him open his stocking, and he picked up one of his new toys in his mouth, and then rushed to our back door and started barking to go outside. When we let him out, he went to the corner of the backyard and started vigorously digging a hole in the ground!! We were all watching out of the window cracking up, not having a clue what he was doing. He ended up burying his toy! We think he was overwhelmed with the amount of gifts we gave him and felt he needed to hide one away for later, haha! I will always remember that because we were all laughing hysterically. 

After stockings, we open our presents, clean up and lounge around for a little bit. Then my sister and I head upstairs to get dressed/ready for the day and my parents make an incredible brunch complete with mimosas. Later in the afternoon, one set of aunt/uncle come over as well as my grammie and we open more gifts. Then we all hightail it to another set of aunt/uncle for a prime rib dinner with more family-- and go to bed in a food coma! 

If you still haven't gotten into the Christmas spirit, definitely check out my Christmas playlist on Spotify! It has all the classics, and some pop favorites, too! Also, something fun: If you are a Spotify user, they have an awesome top 100 songs of 2015. If you are planning a New Year's Eve party, this would make for a really great playlist! 

If you are still stuck on gift ideas, check out all of my gift guides below or scroll through the above widget to see some of my favorite picks:

• Stocking Stuffers for Her
• Hostess Gifts 
• Little Luxuries 
• For the Girly Girl 
• Gifts for Him 
• For the Beach Babe
• Talbots Favorites 
• Best Beauty Products of 2015
• Christmas Pajamas 
• My Wish List 

Cheers to CHRISTMAS WEEK everyone!!!!! Have a fabulous day!