five things Friday: Christmas break cocktail chat

Hendrik's been counting down for weeks... we're officially at the start of Christmas break as of this afternoon! We're appropriately kicking it off this evening with a family happy hour, with my sister arriving in town. And since my brain is already a teensy bit on vacation mode before my 4-day weekend, I thought we'd get started early with a virtual happy hour. Time for some holiday-themed cocktail chat!

So imagine pouring yourself a Santa spritz (yes, please, to any prosecco/champagne cocktail, I say), and tell me:

1. When did you finish your holiday shopping this year? (Or are you still going?!)
2. Favorite holiday season tradition?
3. Christmas PJs - yes, or no?
4. What's the top item on your holiday wishlist this year?
5. Stay in or go out for New Year's?

Here's my take:

1. When did you finish your holiday shopping this year? (Or are you still going?!) I've been done for about a week and a half, with everything wrapped up under the tree. I'm not a very last minute person, but I'm not usually THIS settled with it - but I ended up being very glad about it when our furnace broke and life was a bit chaotic for 5 days while we were in and out of living with my parents...
2. Favorite holiday season tradition? So many! I guess toss-up between stockings on Christmas morning (both with my little fam, and with my parents/siblings) and a big family gathering to decorate Christmas cookies.
3. The Christmas PJ tradition - yes, or no? Never really bothered for myself, but for Hendrik, for sure! I got him these this year, which are adorable. And they might just happen to look cute with the fair isle thermal joggers (similar to this) that I happen to have (given to me as a hostess gift when I did a girlfriends' cookie decorating party - such a great idea to have on hand to give as a cozy little gift!).
4. What's the top item on your holiday wishlist this year? The "happy lamp" that I had in my "need" gift grid would make me happy, indeed. Especially if it came with a good book (really interested in the new release Into the Night) to read while I get my light therapy...
5. Stay in or go out for New Year's? Stay in, all the way. I actually kind of hate staying up until midnight.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday and get to enjoy some time off to savor with family and friends. See you after Christmas!