Me: I love getting up on Thanksgiving morning, eating something yummy for breakfast and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with my kiddos. I also love baking and cooking all morning long with Kensington.
Erin: I love being with my mom. Waking up early and getting a head start on cooking. Watching the Today Show and getting ready for the parade. Every year after Thanksgiving dinner, we watch Home Alone and Christmas Vacation to bring in the Christmas season, officially!
Where do you eat your Thanksgiving meal?
Me: This year, we’re eating Thanksgiving dinner (or lunch actually) at my mom’s house. It varies year to year, but this year, it’s at Lovie’s.
Erin: This year, we’ll be at my parents’ house in Indiana. Last year, we were at my brother’s house in Vail and stayed in a beautiful mountain home. (Insert me being very jealous of Erin!)
Me: I plan ahead! I write down everything I’ll need (including paper towels, napkins, etc) several weeks beforehand. I shop early (because you always forget something, so shop early and take inventory!), and I keep a really good list. My favorite tip is to prepare big dishes (like casseroles and sides) in disposable pans. Who wants to clean up baking dishes after Thanksgiving? Not me! This makes cleanup a cinch! And never be ashamed of getting help from the store (pies, rolls, etc.).
Erin: I don’t stress out! I make a list, I do all of my grocery shopping before my company arrives, if they’re spending the night with me, I make sure my house is already clean, and I make sure all of the serving pieces are located.
Now…let’s talk about Christmas. I know it’s November but Christmas is already on so many people’s minds!
When do you decorate for Christmas?
Me: I decorate mid-November. This year, I decorated on the 12th (pics to come!). It’s a lot of work decorating for Christmas, so I want to soak up as many minutes of it as I can!
Erin: I usually decorate after Thanksgiving on December 1.
When do you start listening to Christmas music?
Me: The better question is when did I ever stop? I really could listen 365 days a year. But…I start listening every year right after Halloween! (Click here to see my post on Christmas music!)
Erin: Ha! I listen to Christmas music year-round. It’s really crazy, if a song is on my i-Pad or i-Phone and it comes on, I don’t change it. I love Christmas music! I intentionally start listening Thanksgiving Day. (Click here to see Erin’s post on Christmas music!)
I kid you not…Erin and I both blogged about Christmas music this week…on the very same day! We are two peas in a Christmas music-loving pod!
Speaking of peas in a pod…
…Erin also loves the Gap supersoft tee that I have been raving about! People…it’s the BEST tee you will find this season. Period. End of story. Look no further. Click here to see the other colors too! And PS: everything at Gap is on sale right now.
OK, let’s list some of our Christmas traditions…
Me: Watching every Christmas movie we can get our hands on (twice), driving around and looking at lights, drinking hot chocolate, going to the mall to see the ice skaters and Santa, lots of walks all bundled up at night, and plenty of time cuddling on the couch looking at our tree. We also love attending the special Christmas services we have at our church and sharing the message of Christ’s birth with our kiddos.
Erin: We love Christmas movies, wearing Christmas pajamas, sitting by the fire, sipping something hot, driving around and looking at Christmas lights, attending our church choir’s Christmas performance, building a gingerbread house and doing an Advent calendar together as a family to help bring our kids back to Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.
This house cracks me up.
Finally, the winner of my Stella & Dot Giveaway is Laura Fuller! Congratulations Laura, I have already emailed you! You can continue to shop Stella & Dot online through the weekend. Just click here.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I don't know WHY IN THE WORLD I haven't purchased the Gap striped t yet, but that is changing TODAY. And let's be honest, I might as well get at least 2. And that Dior eyeshadow? I'm not an eyeshadow person, but I feel like I HAVE TO HAVE IT. I need rich color that lasts all day! And I love that you two are listening to Christmas music at your party!
Blue-Eyed Bride says
I just laughed and laughed reading this because our answers are so similar! What a fun pajama party 🙂 thanks for having me, friend!!
Tamara @ The Workout Mama says
I love this series! Both of you are so cute! Yay for Christmas music!
Jodi says
I love these pajama parties and wish you did them more often! And I totally listened to you and bought that Gap tee-THANK YOU!
Jennifer says
This is great!! So fun to read all of your answers 🙂
Tina says
I love these pajama parties, they are so cute & fun. And yes, I am making a b-line to the store for new Christmas pajamas for me and my girl this weekend!
Daily Express says
This is such a fun series. I always love reading both sets of answers, plus this time it was fun to get some extra holiday tradition inspiration!
Alison @ Get Your Pretty On says
This is one of my favorite features in blog land. So cute and clever and I always read every single word. You and Erin are definitely two peas in a pod!
Ashley says
I love your pj parties :)! So fun.
Shawnee says
My Gap striped shirts came yesterday….all 3 of them….and I am in LOVE!! They are AWESOME!!!! My 9yr old said "Really Mom, you needed 3 of them?" LOL
Elise @ Cheers Yall says
my two favorite bloggers in one post!! couldn't love this more. and how fitting that i definitely posted about some amazing flannel pjs today. from kmart! on sale for $17!!! and they have coffee and hearts all over them, which obviously makes them even better!!
thanks for brightening my friday, sweet shay & erin!! cheers!..with my 2nd venti coffee mug in hand. EEEK! 😉
xx
elise
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
You guys are both so cute!!!! I have picked up that striped top TWICE at the Gap…why I haven't bought it yet, I'm not sure. Will I look as cute as you do in it???
Liz/happymommy says
LOVE your pajama parties and finding new fun blogs along the way too! Think I may take the plunge now on the super soft t from GAP too, it's just too cute!!
Ashley @ Fancy Ashley says
So fun!!! Love this series!!! I need that striped tee! Happy Friday!!! xoxo!
Nina @ AccordingtoNina.com says
Love love love this! So fun, girls! xox
[darci @ the good life] says
Such a fun series — what I would give to round up some of my favorite bloggers for a real life Christmas PJ party!
Loved reading your answers – two peas in a pod FOR SURE!
Happy weekend ahead to both of you! 🙂
Lyndsey says
I love the pajama parties!! So fun! And this convinced me I need the super soft shirt from Gap:)
Jaren says
Love this series! So much fun!
jen says
Love the on party posts! So fun to read. Shay…I would love to read your answers to those last few questions!!! I would love to learn your house-cleaning routine. I love all your tips!!!!!