Guest Blogger: Christmas and New Year's Traditions

Hey there!  I'm Ella from Champagne & Cardigans.  Cotton is not only a fabulous blogger friend of mine, she is also my sorority sister!  I have known Cotton for almost four years now and I can truly say she is just as wonderful as she seems :)

We are trading blogs for the day and I couldn't be more excited about it!  Pop on by Champagne & Cardigans to check out some of her amazing Holiday Cocktail recipes. 

Today I am going to write about some of my favorite Christmas and New Years Traditions... ya know the ones that make you feel super warm-fuzzy and cozy inside.

A Christmas Letter

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Not the kind you mail to your entire address book either...

Each year my mom writes my two brothers and I a letter.  She has one for each of our Christmas-es but hasn't let us read any of them yet.

I have a feeling she will be giving me mine next year, at my first Christmas as a married woman.

Regardless, I think this is a wonderful keepsake and way to remember each year spent with someone.  I am starting this tradition for DP this year... I may not keep them for quiet as long of a time as she has but I definitely want to wait a few years to let him read them.  What a way to remember how time goes by!

Chicken Scratch

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Chicken Scratch is a game played with dominos...  You can find directions here.  This is one of those simple, slow games you can play for hours, take a break and come back to it the next day.  My family loves to relax and play Chicken Scratch after any holiday meal.  Especially good when accompanied with a warm mug of coffee or full wine glass.

An All Girls Wine Night

I seriously doubt I need to elaborate a lot on why this is beneficial, fun, necessary etc...  The Holidays are great time for people to use some vacation days, get together and pop a few bottles.  I love the idea of a wine swap - every one brings a bottle and goes home with a different one (either in hand or consumed!).   I can't wait to catch up over some champagne with my best friend this month.

Christmas Movies, Christmas Movies, Christmas Movies

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Corny or not, a good (or not so good) Christmas movie always makes it feel like the holidays.  I love a good mix of sentimental, funny and classic movies.  Definitely filling up the DVR with some ABC Family Originals this year :) 

New Years Day Jigsaw Puzzle

Nothing makes me feel more like a kid again than doing a Jigsaw Puzzle on New Year's Day.  My family has never made big plans on New Year's Day so my brothers, cousins and I usually spent the day working on a Jigsaw Puzzle.  So relaxing and a fun way to spend time together. 

I hope y'all enjoyed some of my family holiday traditions and have a wonderfully exciting and beautiful holiday season!