The Great Christmas Recap!

Did everyone have a MERRY Christmas?!

Ok, so I know I said I probably wasn’t going to post until next week, but I just can’t help it…I’m so excited to tell you guys all about my Christmas! Plus, I kinda forgot that even though I had off for the rest of the week, didn’t mean everyone else did (read: I’m sitting at the man-friend’s house now using him for his wi-fi waiting for him to get off work).

I’ve got a LOT to cover (and a TON of pics) so let’s get to it!

Christmas 2013This was the sight that greeted the man-friend and I when we first walked into my parent’s house on Christmas morning afternoon (ok, so maybe it was after I put out the gifts from ME too, but that just didn’t have the same flow).

Scones

My dad had to go to work at 2pm so we got started with our Christmas brunch right away. It looked pretty much the same as my birthday brunch (And no Meg, we didn’t forget the mimosas!) but instead of biscuits, my mom made these Orange Rosemary Shortbreads that were almost like scones and absolutely PERFECT with a spoonful of my grandfather’s homemade pear preserves on top! πŸ™‚

Christmas Selfie

Then it was time to shake open the GIFTS!! πŸ˜‰

Tori Gifts

Tori is always the dedicated gift hander-outer, but before she set to work, we all emptied out our Christmas stockings…

Christmas Stocking 2013

Are those socks not the absolute CUTEST?!

Mom & DadTori Toilet Paper

Believe it or not, she asked for that…hashtag college kid! πŸ˜‰

The Man-Friend

The man-friend flipping through the dog shaming book I couldn’t resist getting him!

Christmas 2013 UnwrappingChristmas Me with SpoonChristmas Pancake MixA Christmas Story

Squeeeeeeeeeeeal!!

Seriously, I can’t believe I’ve never owned a copy of The Christmas Story before now! And the other gift that stopped me DEAD in my tracks…

Photography Goodies

A tripod AND a remote!!!!!…!!!!!!!

Christmas Presents 2013

All together now! πŸ˜€

And yeah, notice the bottle of wine?

Christmas Booze

I SWEAR we’re not a bunch of alcoholics…wait, that sounds oddly familiar! πŸ˜‰

Christmas Booziness

This is what happens EVERY time I give my camera to the man-friend and ask him to take ONE picture! Lol

Me & Dad

I realized I hardly have ANY pictures of my dad and I on the blog, so I made SURE to get one…and of course, this was one of like FIVE from the man-friend! After that, I revoked his picture-taking card!Β Oh and just in case you’re wondering, my dad’s not a cop…he’s a stripper! πŸ˜‰

Me & Tori

Besides, I take a pretty mean selfie anyway! And to think, I used to hate my long and gangly arms when I was younger! πŸ˜‰

Tori

Don’t you just LOVE the hat I picked out for Tori? True story: I envisioned that EXACT hat but had no idea where to find it. After searching several stores and coming out empty-handed, I almost literally walked into the rack where this ONE AND ONLY hat was hanging! Hmm, perhaps a little Christmas magic?

But the BEST pic of the entire day was the one I took of my mom in her new sock monkey hat that my uncle gave her…brace yourself for a cuteness overload!

Mom Sock Monkey Cuteness

Ermahgerrrrrrrrrd, I die!Β 

After the gifts were exchanged, hugs went around and we sent dad off to work, Tori off to her boyfriend’s house, and the man-friend back to Nashville and then monkey mom and I were all alone…armed with orange rosemary scones and the Food Network!

I ended up spending the night and the next morning, while sipping our morning coffee, I talked mom into venturing out for some after Christmas sales for her first time…

Sale - IG

And I was a HORRIBLE influence! πŸ˜‰

I also let her in on a few of my secrets: hit up the gift box section/aisle for gifts for next year, stock up on super cheap holiday candies, and raid the wrapping paper for colors that can be used YEAR-ROUND! We got all that stuff for a combined total of $130!

M&M's

Peanut butter (my fave), mint (my second fave), and CHERRY CORDIAL! Has anyone tried these yet?

Whitmans Sampler Chocolate

Oh and check this out…an ALL DARK Whitman’s Sampler that the cashier didn’t “think” the price rang up right and actually gave it to me for forrrrrrrrrrrrrrr $2.47!!! 😯

Chocolate

Merry Christmas TO ME! πŸ˜€

And since I got lazy this year, I decided to pick up a little incentive for next year’s decorating…

Christmas Decorations

My tree is gonna be SO GIRLY!!! I can’t WAIT!

What’s the BEST gift you received this year?

Anyone else score some awesome After-Christmas Day Sale goodies?

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47 Responses to The Great Christmas Recap!

  1. You and your sissy are TWINS!!! So happy you had a wonderful Christmas!!! I need to gift myself a remote one of these days. And those shortbreads…WOW.

  2. I love that your sister refers to you as the pancake queen too!! She is right! πŸ˜‰

  3. What a fun Christmas, even if it was short! Seriously, when does the man friend’s face make an appearance? πŸ˜‰ And peanut butter m&ms are my favorite too…dangerous, but my favorite!

  4. I got a remote for my camera too! (And I already own that exact tri-pod you got!) But I am most siked about my Ninja Ultima blender and Spiralizer I got! I haven’t used them yet….but that will all change tomorrow! O and a heart-shaped pancake mold! You should totally get one as you are the pancake queen πŸ˜‰
    And am I the only person who kinda totally hates The Christmas Story? Haha!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Ohhhhhh a spiralizer? I’m totally jealous! Because you know, I don’t already have a kitchen FULL of gadgets! But seriously, I think that is one of the only things that I would use regularly…or at least in the summer when I can have zucchini “pasta”! πŸ˜€ Hmm, pancake molds, huh? I might have to look into those…

      And yes, you are the ONLY person who kinda totally hates The Christmas Story! Better watch out or I’ll give you a bar of Palmolive to suck on! πŸ˜‰

  5. Your family looks like so much fun! We had a boozy Christmas too… it’s tradition. LOL! My mom always puts socks in my stocking – is that a mom thing?!

    P.S. I feel like I violated man-friend from seeing all those crotch shots. Well-played. πŸ˜‰

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      It must be! I get at least one pair every year! And you probably won’t believe me, but I wasn’t even thinking of that being a crotch shot when I put it in the post! Haha!

  6. Looks like such a fun Christmas!! I love how your sister refers to you as the Pancake Queen…and your mom’s hat is just precious. I hit up lululemon on Boxing Day to spend a gift card, and it was craaaaaaazy. Good deal on the chocolate sampler!

  7. This really was the great Christmas recap, it looks like you had such a wonderful holiday! I haven’t braved the Christmas sales in a few years, I am just not that brave haha.

  8. Wow, you & your sis look SO much alike!! Both gorgeous!! Looks like a pretty great x-mas even though your dad had to go to work… & strip! lol! πŸ˜‰
    No after x-mas sales for me… too afraid of the chaos & I had to work all day anyway. Glad you scored some deals though! πŸ™‚

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Awww, thank you Karey! Yeah…if only my dad could work on that connection with Channing Tatum…then we’d be set! πŸ˜‰

  9. So your photos are already borderline Martha Stewart magazine quality..Actually, scrap that- I despise her. Your photos are already Food Network drool-worthy website picture quality, and now more equipment? Geebuz. I can’t even…. You also got a spanking spoon! Wooo! After 2013 your old one must have disintegrated. I mean, all those chillis, pancakes and oatmeal. πŸ˜‰

    The best Christmas gift I got was from my mum (well her fridge). I ran out of Lurpak butter and wanted pancakes so I gifted it to myself πŸ˜‰

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Haha! Nice! Glad to know I’m not the only anti Martha Stewart person out there! But you have to know that your comparison of me to Food Network just totally made my day! πŸ˜€

  10. Lyric says:

    The best gift I received was my camera! *SQUEEEAL* Hautelook is always my go to for awesome deals!

  11. Mila says:

    Yum- holiday candy is so wonderful! Your whole family is absolutely adorable! You take great selfies by the way (I have gangly arms too- and they do in fact come in handy for that sort of thing ;)) My Christmas was a bit of a disaster- I sound like such a horrible person- but I went around to very disadvantaged homes – the thick cigarette smoke combined with animal hair and grime actually left me feeling really sick by the end of the day πŸ™ (I know I suck) i actually had to keep reciting “this is what Christmas is really about- charity and kindness- it will be over and you will be able to breathe again soon” your Christmas looks like it was so fanatic-
    I don’t have any family (apart from my husband) so I envy those with strong family traditions- you are so lucky and your whole family is just gorgeous to boot!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Thank you SO much, Mila!! And seriously, don’t think you’re a horrible person! That is amazing what you did for those people! And I totally feel ya on the cigarette smoke…I am super sensitive too. My dad and his whole side of the family smokes and I hate it, but every time I think about going over to my grandmother’s for holidays, I always try to make sure I have an easy way out before I hit the point of total suffocation! Omg, it’s awful!

  12. Looks like such a great Christmas! Those shortbreads look so good – orange and rosemary is a such a great combination.

    Kudos to you for braving the stores on Boxing Day. I avoided them at all costs! And then I went to the mall yesterday thinking it would be okay, and boy was I wrong. From now on I’m not setting food in a store for at least 2 weeks after Christmas (other than the grocery store, that is)!

  13. KAT says:

    Before I even touch the other wonderful stuff in this post Id just like to say…. CHERRY M&MS?! These ones better not end up like the pumpkin spice or white chocolate ones…. let me know how they taste ASAP! And funny story, pb and mint are my favorite m&ms as well πŸ™‚ although I do adore the dark chocolate ones too, mostly because I know my hubby won’t eat them πŸ˜‰
    And seriously you’re family is gorgeous!! You guys all looks so great in those pictures. And thank you to your papa for his hard work! Even though I don’t live near you, I have a soft spot for service men and women, so give him a hug for me as a thanks!! <3

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Ohh yeah, I love the dark chocolate ones! I haven’t busted open the cherry ones yet, but when I do, you’ll be the first to know! And I’m sure you can trust my judgement because I HATED the pumpkin and the white chocolate ones too! Omg, what WERE they doing with those?!

      Aww, Kat!!! Thank you! And I’ll be sure to let my dad know…as soon as I tell him who you are! πŸ˜‰

  14. You look SO beautiful! Looks like you had a great Christmas!

  15. Maria says:

    Such an adorable little family! I was pretty stoked about my Williams Sonoma potholders and a tea tin. I’m old.

    You mean you don’t already take your photos with a tripod? Holy cow, they are going to be even more awesome now!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Nope! Though I have done some pretty interesting things in an attempt to “make” one…which may or may not include taping my camera to a stack of books! Lol

  16. Eee I love it! Smiles all around πŸ˜€ And I seriously love that you’re known as the Pancake Queen outside of the blog world too. Your mom is too cute for words and your family is just adorable… although I’m not too sure how to feel about those shots of the man-friend’s crotch πŸ˜‰

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Haha! Believe it OR not, that’s not what I was going for with that angle! What was really funny was that my mom put “the man-friend” on the tags to his Christmas gifts from them! Lol

  17. LOVE the booze. hehe. What a cute fam, thanks for sharing with us.

    PS: my dad is also a cop…. I mean stripper. πŸ˜‰

    Hope you had a super Merry Christmas!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Dude that’s awesome! Some people might be a little embarrassed, but I’ve loved that my dad has been a stripper since I was little! πŸ˜‰

      Hope you have a great Christmas, love!

  18. MOM says:

    I thought this year was our BEST*EST Christmas yet! I loved all my gifts…especially my Guy Fieri (sp?) cookware!!! Thank you baby girl!!
    Those pics make my house look better than I thought!! Now that you have that tri pod…let’s do family pics soon!!! I
    Love you sweetie!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Ohhhh, YEAH!! That’s a great idea! Aww, I’m so glad you enjoyed this Christmas…I wanted to make it special for you! I love you too, mama!!

  19. Kadee-Cat says:

    I haven’t done any after Christmas shopping yet, but I usually get really good deals at Bath & Body Works around New Years when they are getting rid of all their winter stuff. πŸ˜€

    Love all the family pictures! I mean to take pictures of everyone every single Christmas and I ALWAYS forget. womp!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Oh heck yeah, I LOVE BBW semi annual sales! I always say I’m only going to pick up a few things and end up walking out with two bags! Lol

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  21. Awwwww!! Love this!! I had to laugh out LOUD when you mentioned that the man-friends takes so MANY pics if you ask for one – Sandro does EXACTLY the same! I stand there, smile and then there’s 20 pics of the same me with a smile and then smile flaking, because he wouldn’t stop clicking. He always says:’ well you know, for safety reasons. Before you complain and I have to take ANOTHER one, I just take a bunch right away.’ LOL!
    The photos of your Dad and you is adorable! I like his stripper outfit πŸ™‚

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Haha! Yep, exactly what the man-friend does…I can’t tell you how many awkward pictures I have of myself telling him how to take a picture. I’m all pointing with my mouth hanging open…like, yeah hon, thanks for the flattering shots! Lol

  22. Sara @ fitcupcaker says:

    I love buying Christmas things after Christmas for the next year, lots of sales! Especially the candy!!

  23. Carlie says:

    You are so beautiful Heather!

    Let me know how the mint M&M’s are! I got them in my stocking, but chocolate and peppermint can be hit or miss for me!

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Thank you, Carlie!! The M&M’s are great! I tried them for the first time last Christmas and fell in love…I think it’s the perfect amount of mint…not overpowering at all!

  24. I love a good crotch shot. Pretty sure you just made my night.
    I also love seeing all those happy faces. It looks like the whole family had a wonderful Christmas. It’s really all about the people, and it shows. Oh and the mimosas too; can’t forget those. I’m also pleased as punch you think of little old me whenever you start boozing in the morning hours. πŸ™‚

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Bahaha! Oh girl, you crack me up! And you should know that I think of you far more than that! Every time I think of cheese, and eggs, and bread, and veggies busting out of my fridge, and breaking into song and dance for no apparent reason, and immature jokes, and of course whenever I eat a banana! πŸ˜‰

  25. So… Um… Does your dad do parties? Send me his contact info ;).

    I looove the stocking stuffers — I always get toothpaste, face wash, deodorant and the like. And I actually LOVE getting them. #collegekid is RIGHT — we’re all broke as hell so toiletry necessities are much appreciated.

    My favorite gift, by far, is my freaking VITAMIX. Holy shit. I can’t believe I’m the owner of the world’s greatest food pulverizer. Good things will be happening in my kitchen.

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Haha! And so it begins…if only our dads had a clue as to what is being said about them on the internet!

      That is so awesome that you got a Vita! I hope those good things from the kitchen make it to the blog! πŸ˜‰

  26. I love that you got a toothbrush and toothpaste in your stocking!! πŸ™‚ Looks like and amazing Christmas girl! xoxo

  27. Wow your stockings were STUFFED. Usually mine are too with candy and the like, but this year my brother’s was full of the food and I got a food-less stocking with less although more expensive “stuffers.” Okay by me! πŸ˜‰

    Your sister’s hat and scarf are so cute. And your mom… Cuteness overload πŸ™‚

    Haha. I’ll have to remember the toilet paper for next year. That would have been the perfect present because I hate when our dorm room runs out.

    I got a camera this year which I was pretty stoked about. Hopefully I can figure out all of the setting as soon as I feel better. The instructional book that came with it was no help whatsoever. All it explains is how to setup the wifi feature. Cool? Yes. Necessary? Eh, not really.

    • kissmybroccoli says:

      Awww, yay!! You got your camera? That’s awesome! I hope you’re feeling better, sweets! I’ve gotten WAY behind in my blog reading…I really need to catch up with you!

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