And all of a sudden, tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

I have to admit, this year I’ve felt a bit like Amanda. I started out the season SO EXCITED for Christmas time, and all of a sudden it’s almost Christmas and I’m just more relieved to slow down than anything. This month has been a whirlwhind of busy days at work (hi, working for a fitness company just before January. Yup.), holiday parties and other obligations. I felt like I was just going through the motions and trying to get through the season with some sanity intact.

I didn’t decorate my apartment. I didn’t send out cards (but I bought some really cute ones on Etsy…) I didn’t get to go home and do Christmas-y things with my family. But I’m so excited to go home and have a few days quality time with them at the most wonderful time of the year.

It FINALLY felt like Christmas time, and I finally felt genuinely excited on Friday night.

Some of my friends, including my friend Jen, are members of the American Ballet Theater, and they were having a performance of the Nutcracker at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.  I usually go with my parents to Lincoln Center, but my dad couldn’t go this year because of some health issues, so I wasn’t going to cheat on them at Lincoln Center.

It was fun, and I’m glad I went, but Lincoln Center > BAM and NYC Ballet > ABT.

Saturday, I did 95% of my Christmas shopping and errands for my COOKIE SWAP!

Yesterday morning, I took advantage of the mild, mild weather and did a little sightseeing run.

 

Somehow this is the fourth year I’ve done this cookie swap! This year, I invited wayyyy too many people, and I couldn’t hold that many people in my apartment, so Leanne at Uplift was kind enough to let me hold my cookie swap there. (Yes, we drank wine and ate cookies at a gym. Is that not normal?)

Uplift is like my second home, so it didn’t feel that weird.

I’m pretty sure Lacey has helped me set up every single year. I’m pretty sure Lacey wins friend of the year award.

 

And Steph wins Prettiest Cookie of the Year award.

 

Former Coworker Abby wins points for the prettiest store-bought cookies.

Leah wins for just being the cutest. I don’t know if you can tell in this pic, but her sweater has furry sleeves. NBD.

Jen wins for co-president of the Small Eyes Club.

Katie and Meghan win for looking like they are chair models.

Emily hands-down, without a doubt, wins for best-dressed with her cute, cute, cute Vineyard Vines skirt.

Former Coworker Abby wins for brightest pants.

 

Laura wins for best coordinated with the hostess.

And my super-cute and sweet little coworker Alex wins Saint of the Year for having to deal with me before my coffee. Caitlin wins at life for the Best Single-Girl Card ever.

We had the entire space, but everyone ended up congregating by the bar. Shocker.

Oh, except for when Gia, Kscott and I decided to do a little photo shoot.

Leanne, please let me come back? 🙂 Also, pro tip: do not pick up a heavier kettlebell than you’ve ever picked up before (30 pounds) after several glasses of bubbly. All ended well, but…there was definite potential for it not to.

Where’s the most random place you’ve ever held a party? What makes it feel like the holidays to you?