Thankful Thursday [3]

Well folks, it's Thursday...time to get thankful!  This week I am focusing my thankful list on my FAVORITE time of the year, the Christmas season.  So here goes, the top ten things related to Christmas that I am thankful for....

1. Artificial Trees - I know people will disaree, but I am allergic, so fake trees allow me to enjoy the sparkle without the weezing, ichy eyes or runny nose!  I also love how easy they are to put up/take down.  LOVE it :)

2. Although it may be too commercialized, I am thankful that this time of year reminds us to give back to others

3. Holiday Treats -  ok, my waistline does NOT agree with this, but my tastebuds sure do! 

4. Christmas Music - will always be my favorite genre! Seriously, go buy this. 

5. Gifts - yes, I agree that way too much focus is put here, but gifts is my love language, and therefore shopping for my loved ones, using the best gift wrap and other 'embellishments' I can cheaply find to make the boxes purrdy just makes me smile.  

6. Red cups from Starbucks - makes me happy every time they start serving up coffee treats in these babies! 

7. Christmas Cards - true story, the entire month of December I anxiously await the arrival of our mailman in hopes that there will be a beautiful Christmas card in the bundle.  I love seeing how kids have grown, lives have changed, and how beautiful the people in my life are ;) Christmas Cards, I am thankful for you!  [ps, I canNOT wait to share our cards...which are arriving today...woop! woop!]

8. Decorating the house - I am so thankful that I collected plenty of goods post-holidays when I did not own a house, and I now have a LOT :)

9. Nativity Sets - I have too many for our tiny home, but I couldn't care less.  I love all sorts of sets; my Willow Tree set, my (prized) olive wood set Mom & Dad brought back from Isreal, teeny tiny sets, you name it.  I love the ever-present reminder of what the season is REALLY about.

10.  The Birth of our Savior -  God's only Son, sent to earth to live among us and eventually die on the cross for us.  There is so much power in this I can't even begin to wrap my head around it all.  I am always in awe of how He came, how He lived and, ultimately, how He died.

Now time for you to create your thankful list & link up with Candra :)