Friday Five: Holiday Traditions

Can you believe this is the last Friday before Christmas?! This year absolutely flew. I feel like it was just last Christmas. I am so excited to go visit my best friend in NYC tonight. We have complete opposite schedules and it gets so hard to make plans. So, to be able to find a Friday night that works for both of us is pretty exciting! 
'Tis the season of traditions. I thought I'd share a few of my favorite holiday traditions today, old and new, because I feel like the next week is full of them! 
Cutting down a tree. While sometimes traumatizing (have your dad come out of the garage revving a chainsaw and cut down the pine tree in the front yard and tell me you wouldn't cry...), this is a tradition we never miss. The weekend following Thanksgiving is created to trek out into a tree field and find that perfect tree. No matter how cold, warm or icy. (See this year's outfit here). 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas. While this hasn't happened in years, one of my favorite Christmas memories is sitting on my grandpa's lap on Christmas Eve and having him read The Night Before Christmas to me. Always while wearing my new Christmas pajamas left out on my bed by magical elves after church. 

The Nut and Ball Roll. Bear with me here... What is a completely innocent tradition of making Christmas cookies with my mom and sisters, somehow turned into a mix of dirty innuendos while asking for help rolling balls in nuts and dipping rods in chocolate. Ever since, the day of marathon baking has been referred to as the Nut and Ball Roll. Which probably shouldn't be normal terminology in anyone's house... 
The Christmas Eve Dual. Ever since I can remember, my brother and I would have a "sword" fight with the empty wrapping paper rolls. At 24 and 29 years old, we (embarrassingly?) still do this. Although much more difficult now that most wrapping paper rolls come without the actual cardboard rolls now! (Thanks, everyone, for "going green"). And let me just say, I have never, ever won and am always awarded the title of "Christmas Loser". 

Gingerbread Houses. Every year, my friend hosts a gingerbread house decorating party, and this is honestly one of the events I look forward to the most during the holiday season. We have pounds upon pounds of all different candy and "decorations" for the houses. It's so fun to get creative, catch up with old friends and maybe indulge in a few mimosas. I've gotta get an idea of how I'm going to decorate before the big event this Sunday! Check out the spread from last year! 

What are your favorite holiday traditions? I bet you don't have a nut and ball roll..