advent 24

It’s December twenty-fourth and day 24 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Today, my happiness is, going to the movies!

This post comes late today, because I needed to take the pictures for it. It might seem similar to yesterday’s post, but going to the movies has often been part of my holidays. Most of the time, I am in the states and there is usually a movie I want to see while there. Last year, it was the first Hobbit movie. Back in 2009, I actually didn’t get to spend my first Christmas with my husband, so my mother came over and I remember we went to see Nine (the musical) in the theater.

advent 23

It’s December twenty-third and day 23 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, holiday movies!

Ok, the truth is, I don’t really watch holiday movies to get me into the holiday spirit. It’s just not my thing. So, no I haven’t watched any christmas movies this year. However, there are a few that put a smile on my face. In no particular order, here are my top 3.

advent 22

It’s December twenty-second  and day 22 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, gatherings!

For most, the holidays means gathering with friends and family. Sometimes, it also means being on your own for a change. We’ll most likely be on our own Christmas day, but last night was a gathering of good friends and food.

advent 21

It’s December twenty-first and day 21 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, presents!

I’m not a materialistic person. To be honest, I have all the “things” I can possibly desire already. So, I don’t want to emphasis the “present” part about Christmas, but let’s face it, presents are a big part.

advent 20

It’s December twentieth and day 20 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, Christmas Markets!

So, this isn’t exactly something I associated with the holidays till after moving here, but it’s become something nice to experience this time of year. Back in the states, there were never any Christmas markets. Sure, all the stores and malls were decked out for the holidays, but there were never little markets set up just for the holidays. At least, not where I ever lived. Maybe smaller cities in the states had Christmas markets, but I’ve only lived in large cities.

advent 18

It’s December eighteenth and day 18 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, toys!

It’s no secret, I’m a kid at heart and it will most likely keep me young for years to come. I love toys and kids these days have awesome toys. I can’t think about Christmas without thinking about all the toys little boys and girls are wishing they will receive. As a child, Christmas was definitely filled with wishes come true. I usually got very lucky and got what I always wanted, whether it was a doll or a my little pony. It is always fun trying to pick out a new toy for a boy or girl.

advent 17

It’s December seventeenth and day 17 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, calendars!

Not very festive, I admit, but calendars are part of my Christmas celebrations and not the advent kind. Every year, as I would hit the malls and stores back in the states for Christmas presents, I would always take a look at those calendar kiosks or pop up stores. It seems silly in this day of age when everything is digital, but I love having a physical calendar in my home. Shopping for and picking out a calendar for the new year has become a holiday tradition. Some people save me the trouble by gifting me one for Christmas. It’s so hard trying to pick out the right calendar. Naturally, it’s always one with animals, but sometimes I can’t decide which animals to put on my wall. My 2013 calendar had cute little piggies on it.

advent 15

It’s December fifteenth and day 15 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, reindeer!

Being an animal lover, reindeer are certainly a joyful example of Christmas. The great stories and songs of Santa’s sleigh being pulled by magical, flying reindeer. The most famous of those reindeer being Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer.

advent 14

It’s December fourteenth and day 14 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, mistletoe!

You can’t deny it, mistletoe is very much a part of Christmas. Back in the states, many stores would carry fresh mistletoe to hang in your home. I’ve had both the fresh kind and the fake kind. This year, it’s nothing but fake in my home. To be honest, I can’t say I’ve seen real mistletoe here in any of the stores, but then again, I haven’t been looking either.

advent 13

It’s December thirteenth and day 13 of expressing what makes me happy during this holiday season. Come back everyday for a new photo set. Today, my happiness is, the color red!

Different times of year, the color red symbolizes different things, but this time of year, the color red makes me think of Christmas. Who can deny the fact that it’s Santa and his red suit? Though it isn’t always a red suit. “Santa” around the world is known in many different colors, but it was North America that made the popular look of a red coat with white trimming.