vintage Christmas joy!

I have been searching out vintage Christmas decorations that I want to start to collect… my favorite thing is when I find something that I had as a kid, or that I saw at one of my grandma’s houses. Here are a few that I am about to buy!!!

Oh the ceramic light up tree!! My grandma had one of these and I LOVE it! It will be mine soon!! This way, I can stop threatening to steal my friend's version that his grandma gave him

Cuuuute!

Cuuuute too!

Angels... gettin a little kiss on!

More angels...

How cute is she!?

Is it possible for me to hate a Christmas song?

The radio station “The Lite” has begun to play Christmas music and, like every year, it brings me MUCH joy!! People always complain that it is too early, but I love it! and it triggers me to bust out all of my personal holiday faves!

Now most people who know me, probably think 2 things about my musical taste. #1. Patrese LOVES every 80’s song… and #2. Patrese LOVES ALL Christmas songs! Gotta say. not true. If there is one Christmas song I hate, it is The Little damn Drummer boy… ugh! Hate it!! Its just so boring… and a stupid story…. and… boring. Why waste your time with that garbage when there are so many more gems out there.

Favorites…. here’s a little taste. This barely scratches the surface…

• Lou Monte; Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey: EEEE-AWWW!! :):) Look it up!

• Mariah Carey; All I Want for Christmas is You: Don’t hate… that ish is goooood! Puts a pep in your Christmas step!

• Elvis, Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin; I’ll Be Home for Christmas: Always gives me goosebumps and can bring a single Christmas tear to my eye if the mood is right. On the topic of Dean (my fave) and Frank… here’s another Holiday song from them!!  I love how they can’t be serious!

• Perry Como; There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays: A longtime favorite of my friend Katie and I. We used to sing and dance along to is as kids…. heck… ask us to do the routine today and we could, without skipping a beat!
• Dolly Parton; Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride: OM Christmas G! I love this one!! Gives me more nostalgic warm fuzzies than pretty much any other Christmas song!

• Sufjan Stevens; Come On! Lets Boogey to the Elf Dance and Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day (Well you deserved it): Two of only a few non-tradiotional Christmas songs that I like! Here’s another one from Sufjan that I like in a weird sad Christmas way… plus he’s a total cutie!

• Coldplay; 2000 Miles: Another non-traditional, but I like it!
• Vince Guaraldi; ALL of the Charlie Brown Christmas music: Needs no explination. Its just so good and classic!!

… this was a dumb list to start. I think I could go on for hours! I LOVE Christmas music… sans that boy with the drum!

gone too long!

Wow… my last post was in mid-October. Since then I started a new job, and moved into a new apartment which gave me little time to write on this here bloggy! But I’m back and thinking about Christmas big time!! My major goal is to get completely un packed by Monday so that I can decorate for Christmas!! I already have a ton of decorating ideas and this new house is equipped with the PERFECT little nook to display my tree in!!

So… I watched my first Christmas movie of the season, just the other night! It was very exciting! I chose to watch one of my faves, Scrooged. For those of you who haven’t seen it, it is a take on the Christmas Carol made in the late 80’s starring Bill (mother f’n) Murray! I love it. Totally hilarious and Bill Murray kills it, like usual!!

 

Murray!!!!

 

Here is the semi-creepy music video for the movie’s ending song. In the movie, the cast sings it and it always gives me Christmas goose bumps. It’s a lot less sparkly than this… and a lot less Al Green-y.

 

Anyone remember these commercials?

I went to the grocery store the other day and I was so excited that my normal case of Coca Cola had turned into a Santa Pack!!! Srsly… had the song in my head all day!!

 

 

my head is in the Christmas clouds

I just found out today that I got the apartment that I have been stressed over for weeks! I’m super excited, but all I can think about is how and when I am going to decorate for Christmas!! OHHHH the possibilities are endless!! I hope my new roomie doesn’t mind that I will be starting my decorating soon after move in.

Here is a picture of my GLORIOUS tree from last year!

"your tree ain't got nothin on me", says Patrese's tree 08

too soon…?

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! If you know me, you’re thinking “duhhhhh?!”…

A lot of people ask me why I love it so much and I usually say that it’s because I love the winter (for a little while at least), I love the tradition of it, and all the beautiful memories. I guess that’s why I love it in general. If I really broke it down… there are a million things that I love about Christmas… and I’ve valued my Christmas traditions since I was a kid!

with my brother... loving Christmas circa 1984-ish

So here we go… the start of my blog, dedicated to all things Christmas and winter happiness. My love for Christmas goes beyond what some may think is “normal” so I figured I should share all that I love, hate, and live for about Christmas!

Now, I know that it’s October… and October may seem too early to be thinking about Christmas. But when the weather here in Chicago starts to get a little cool (you know, after our 5 days of fall), I instantly start to think of Christmas and I get the urge to turn on some Christmas music. Usually I  hold off until at least mid-November. If I were to give in right now I would probably listen to my collection of Dean Martin Christmas songs…. LOVE Dean Martin! Love all his music and especially love his Christmas music. He also loved Christmas… so I’m pretty sure we would have been bff if we had ever met!

Waiting for me by the fire...

So yeah… I get that some may think that starting this blog in the middle of October is a little early….. and so many people gripe when they first see Christmas decor in their local stores, crying that it is “too early”.  I, on the other hand, get an excited butterfly feeling in my stomach when I first see a glimpse of red and green, gold and silver in the back of the store! Target is usually where is see a bit of Christmas first. They typically put out a tiny selection of Christmas items (usually boring items like green extension cords, tree lights, etc.) far in the back when they put out their Halloween items!! For that I say, “Yeeee!! Merry Christmas Target!”… and thank you for getting me in the spirit. Whomever happens to be with me at Target when I first spot the Christmas Wonderland typically rolls his/her eyes and tries to restrict me from leaving with a cart of Christmas goods in October… pssshh… haters!

I will run you down with my cart full of Christmas!

I must clarify though… ALL of Target’s Holiday themed items make me happy… Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas! Always cute! And always adds a little excitement to my normal shopping list of bleach and Q-tips.

Anyway… I hope you enjoy this blog… I’m excited to share my Christmas happiness with all of you!