Christmas festivities this year were plentiful. Aleksy and I made it to see several different family members and friends over the span of a few days. Our intentions this year were to not spend an arm and a leg on gifts to everyone so we made home baked treats for some family members and friends (like our siblings) and presented them in little tins. I have varied the selection of the baked good over different Christmases, keeping a few that I know are favorites (my brothers, like me, are big peanut butter fans!). This years selection: Christmas sugar cookies, haystacks, chocolate peanut butter bars, peanut butter balls, shortbread pecan balls, and ginger snaps. It took 2 full days to bake but the financial savings made it all worthwhile, especially as I purchased all my cooking ingredients at the bulk barn this year!
For those family and friends who bake themselves, and undoubtedly have lots of baking leftovers in their freezers at home, we decided to take the idea of some good ol' friends who made some homemade Baileys Irish Cream a couple years ago (Thanks Chels and Warren!), and we made little containers for several people. The contents of the homemade Baileys were actually really simple: irish whisky, condensed milk, cream, instant coffee granules, chocolate syrup, and vanilla and almond extracts (blended). Quite tasty indeed! However, Aleksy and I only had a small glass each because I underestimated the amount of whisky that I would need (there is LOTS of booze in the drinks!). Next year, we definitely will have to come up with something creative along these lines for Christmas gifts!
Our Christmas celebrations began on Christmas Eve, with Christmas dinner at my Mom and Pauls. Unfortunately this year, my niece Emma wasn't able to make it because of lack of rides to and from Woodstock, so I decided since we were driving through Woodstock to get to London from Hamilton, that Aleksy and I would pop by to see Emma. She particularly enjoyed the magnetic letters we bought for her to arrange on the fridge. I wish I could see more of Emma! Every time I see her, she has developed so much more. This year her conversational skills surprised me!
After seeing Emma, we headed to Mom and Paul's and did the supper, desserts, and presents thing! I love giving presents to my brothers, nephew, and nieces, because they're always so darn excited! One of my favorite parts of Christmas!
My siblings and I (minus 2), and niece and nephew at Mom and Paul's :)
I take pride in how much we accomplished on Christmas Day! We started off with opening the stockings that we bought for each other. We exchanged our big presents on Christmas Eve because I couldn't transport Aleksy's new Hockey Bag that I bought him from Hamilton to London without giving him a big hint... we gave ourselves a $100 limit this year. After opening our stockings, we visited Aleksy's Babcia and Uncle. After a nice visit and some coffee and baked goods, we went back to Aleksy's parents to have Christmas present exchange with Aleksy's immediate family: his Mom, Dad, brother, and sister. Then we prepared to leave for Christmas dinner with the rest of his family at the Downtown Armouries. I have never been to a better Christmas buffet dinner in my life! A wide selection of every food (including my personal favorite: the dessert!). I attempted to "take it easy" since I knew we had another turkey dinner following that but I couldn't resist because everything was amazing!
Aleksy and I at the Armouries!
Leaving from the Armouries, we went straight to my Dad's for supper, dessert, and presents. I still managed to eat another full plate of Christmas supper deliciousness.
My niece Rachel taking care of the garbage business
And I still made it to work at 8pm Christmas Day!
My next Christmas get together was on Monday the 27th, when I made a Christmas visit with my little sister, Brooklyn! We exchanged our presents, then I took her to lunch at the Malibu.
And the last Christmas supper of the 2010 festivities was with friends! On the 30th, we went to Chelsea and Warren's new home where we all contributed by bringing an item for supper. Then we opened some presents, and later had a competitive game of euchre (in which the women conquered!!).
This was alternative to going out for supper, and I think a better alternative with the financial savings and the fact that there's no rush to get out once you have eaten.
A Plentiful Christmas Season indeed :)
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