Two of my favorite 80's Christmas traditions- buttery spritz cookies and 80's Christmas songs/videos plus some snaps

Despite growing up Jewish, my family celebrated Christmas (solely for the dressing up/decorating/gift giving/eating) reasons.  I found that many other Jews my age did the same thing with their families.  I grew up in the South, so it was literally unavoidable.
 

 

 

Franken-Lizee

 

Yup, that's dad with a tie and a saw.

Who was this lady?

 

Merry Gawky-mas, starring yours truly, aged 10.  And my sister, Aliza's, sweatshirt.

We saw Santa, got our stockings stuffed with 80's mags and marshmallow snowmen and opened presents.  As if that wasn't awesome enough, we headed to our neighbors, the McQuails, for Christmas dinner, which included meat, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, strawberry jello, green bean casserole, buttered rolls and crab dip.  How lucky my family was that we had an extended family next door who included us in their Christmas meal!

At least once during the holiday season (or twice, if we were lucky), we got to make and decorate my mom's buttery spritz cookies.  I personally delighted (and still do) in eating several cookies' worth of dough while squeezing the cookies out of the cookie gun.

Probably more for my own gratification than an actual tradition, I listen to 80's Christmas songs and occasionally indulge in watching poorly made videos with great 80's costumes.

Here are some faves:

Last Christmas, by Wham!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI 

Do They Know It's Christmas by Band Aid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc8TYsYb5i0

Fairytale of New York by The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8 

Other 80's Christmas Faves
Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses
Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You- Billy Squire
2000 Miles- The Pretenders
Christmas, Christmas - The Chipmunks
Please Come Home for Christmas- Pat Benatar
But, seriously, I really was raised Jewish!!

Two of my favorite 80's Christmas traditions- buttery spritz cookies and 80's Christmas songs/videos plus some snaps

Despite growing up Jewish, my family celebrated Christmas (solely for the dressing up/decorating/gift giving/eating) reasons.  I found that many other Jews my age did the same thing with their families.  I grew up in the South, so it was literally unavoidable.
 

 

 

Franken-Lizee

 

Yup, that's dad with a tie and a saw.

Who was this lady?

 

Merry Gawky-mas, starring yours truly, aged 10.  And my sister, Aliza's, sweatshirt.

We saw Santa, got our stockings stuffed with 80's mags and marshmallow snowmen and opened presents.  As if that wasn't awesome enough, we headed to our neighbors, the McQuails, for Christmas dinner, which included meat, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, strawberry jello, green bean casserole, buttered rolls and crab dip.  How lucky my family was that we had an extended family next door who included us in their Christmas meal!

At least once during the holiday season (or twice, if we were lucky), we got to make and decorate my mom's buttery spritz cookies.  I personally delighted (and still do) in eating several cookies' worth of dough while squeezing the cookies out of the cookie gun.

Probably more for my own gratification than an actual tradition, I listen to 80's Christmas songs and occasionally indulge in watching poorly made videos with great 80's costumes.

Here are some faves:

Last Christmas, by Wham!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI 

Do They Know It's Christmas by Band Aid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc8TYsYb5i0

Fairytale of New York by The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8 

Other 80's Christmas Faves
Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses
Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You- Billy Squire
2000 Miles- The Pretenders
Christmas, Christmas - The Chipmunks
Please Come Home for Christmas- Pat Benatar
But, seriously, I really was raised Jewish!!

Last minute shopping!

Did you wait until the last minute to get gifts?  I am pretty much all set (partially because I celebrate Chanukah). I am looking forward to the post-Chrismas sales, but in case you aren't, here a few last minute sales.

Anthropologie: 30% off of full priced books, candles and ornaments

Ann Taylor: 50% off/additional 60% off of clearance

Ann Taylor Loft: 40% off everything, 50% off sweaters, outerwear, layering tees, winter essentials

Vineyard Vines: 40% off clearance

Banana Republic: 40% off

Old Navy: 30% off online

JCrew: 40% off sale/ 30% off almost everything else

Modcloth: 30% off sale

Talbots: 50% off markdowns (til midnight 12/21), 40% off everything else

Happy shopping!!

Last minute shopping!

Did you wait until the last minute to get gifts?  I am pretty much all set (partially because I celebrate Chanukah). I am looking forward to the post-Chrismas sales, but in case you aren't, here a few last minute sales.

Anthropologie: 30% off of full priced books, candles and ornaments

Ann Taylor: 50% off/additional 60% off of clearance

Ann Taylor Loft: 40% off everything, 50% off sweaters, outerwear, layering tees, winter essentials

Vineyard Vines: 40% off clearance

Banana Republic: 40% off

Old Navy: 30% off online

JCrew: 40% off sale/ 30% off almost everything else

Modcloth: 30% off sale

Talbots: 50% off markdowns (til midnight 12/21), 40% off everything else

Happy shopping!!

Saturday Funday- A Little Holiday Cheer and Tree Decorating

I am loving this weather, and although snow is pretty, I am happy to be without it in December!

 Met my bestie Alex for some one on one time shopping at the SOWA Christmas Market and brunching.

I saw this ornament for $25, and I SERIOUSLY considered getting it- I mean, an Octopus holding a candy cane and riding a whale?!?!  What do you think?

 On to Stephanie's on Newbury, for a loaded pick-your-ingredients bloody, some Santa Speedo Run watching and a big plate of lox with capers.

 The restaurant was decorated so nicely.  I love going to places with tasteful decorations.

 I liked the anthropologie windows on Newbury Street, and of course this plate!!

I also popped into Teuscher Chocolates for my old faves (dark chocolate champagne and dark chocolate jasmine truffles, choc covered raspberry marzipan square and a new pumpkin spice truffle).

 Here's my OOTD- sporting the new cashmere tunic that I picked up at Stroll the previous weekend.

Time to get down to business- hot chocolate with chocolate almond milk for the BF, Christmas in Paris tea with a little honey for me and an R.Nichols spruce candle.

 And this guy, a lap fixture.

 My BF chooses the tree each year- I love that he does that.  And that he bought us a snack!

 Time to make mom's famous buttery spritz cookies.  I made them gluten free for one of my besties who would be dessert deprived at a holiday party that we were going to the next day.

 Such a good day catching up one on one with my friend and making dinner and decorating the tree with the BF.

And then I ended the weekend with a fully lit menorah.  Traditions!