Every year, my mom always wakes me up super early (between 8 and 9 am). We then open gifts, which takes us at least an hour to open. I have no idea why it takes us so long. Kitty Cameron was sitting with us while we were opening presents, and of course he was observing and sniffing everything. I got him some new treats for Christmas, and he sniffed them out before I even got them open. He gobbled them down, so he must have liked them. This was the first Christmas without kitty Chloe, since she passed away on Halloween. She used to always love playing with the wrapping paper. Cameron, surprisingly, doesn’t do that. However, he does always try to fit himself inside of the bag that we put the torn off wrapping paper in. He did that this year as well, and a piece of paper with some tape on it got stuck to his fur. He noticed right away, so he jumped out and started running around trying to get it off. I was cracking up! Cats are so silly.

After opening gifts, we had our annual Christmas breakfast. It’s the only time of the year that I eat a delicious breakfast like this (or any breakfast for that matter). As you can see from the photo above, we had dippy eggs, toast, sausage, and potatoes. I was stuffed. Thankfully we ended up having a late dinner.

I think our breakfast was bigger than our dinner was. Usually we have more things to eat, but we just had ham, macaroni and cheese, and deviled eggs this year. We usually get a honey glazed or brown sugar glazed ham, but this year we did a pineapple ham. My mom put a glaze on it and then added slices of pineapple. I cut the pineapple up on my plate so I could eat it easier. It was yummy. I just love pineapple and ham together.

Now onto the presents I got.

I was running out of makeup remover and heat protectant spray, both of which I use daily, so I told my mom she could get me some for Christmas. The candle is apparently one my mom bought over the summer (but she switched the lid and put a snowflake one on for some reason). She had bought it for herself, but she had me smell it and I said I really liked it. I do not remember that all, but she said I did. Maybe I was drinking at the time. Anyways, it does smell super good. However, with it being a summer scent, I’m not going to use it right away.

My mom sometimes gets coupons in the mail from Bath & Body Works where you can get free travel size items (with no purchase necessary). She said she used those and got these free. I honestly think I have enough lotions and shower gels to last me for years now. I was kind of worried when I saw the Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion because I had an allergic reaction to it some years back while I was at work. I thought I did, at least.

I had put some of the lotion on my hands for the first time while I was at work. I have a habit of touching my face, and I did just that. Not too long after, my lips began to tingle and swell up. The skin under one of my eyes began to swell up also. It looked ridiculous, but they wouldn’t even let me go home, so I had to work like that. Once I had gotten home, I thoroughly washed my hands and my face, and then the swelling began to go down within an hour. I attributed it to the lotion because that was the only new thing I had used that day.

When I opened this and explained the story to my mom, she said she could take it back and exchange it for another one. I told her I would try it again first. I’ve used it twice now (and touched my face), and there has been no swelling or reaction whatsoever. How odd. Recently, I had another bad reaction to a new lotion I bought. The first time I put it on, my hands and arms began burning and turned bright red. I’ve used it many times since with no reaction. It makes no sense to me.

I asked for some Hickory Farms food for Christmas because it’s my favorite, and I always eat it at this time of year. This set comes with two sticks of beef summer sausage, farmhouse cheddar, smoked cheddar, toasted crackers, and two little jars of the sweet hot mustard. I love their mustards, and it just adds to the flavor when you put some on the sausage. The honey & pineapple mustard is my favorite, so my mom got me one of those too. I really want to try their cranberry mustard sometime.

My mom has a pair of really soft pajamas that I’ve been jealous of. I told her I wanted a pair that was super soft like that. Well, she found one. This super cute owl pajama set is so soft, both outside and in. Actually, the inside is even softer than the outside. I couldn’t believe it when I felt it. Plus, it’s cold in the house in the Winter, so I wanted something to keep me warm. I think this will do just that.

My mom got this sweatshirt from Aeropostale. I like the light gray color of it, though I’m not particularly crazy about the big NY logo on it. I know it’s because Aeropostale is a New York company, but I’ve never even been to New York. If I’m being honest, out of all the 50 states I would like to visit, NY is nowhere near the top. No offense to anyone who lives there. This sweatshirt is soft on the inside though, and it seems like it will be comfortable. That’s what I’m most concerned about.

This is a sweatsuit she got from Aeropostale, and this is my favorite present that I got this year. Again, it has New York written on it, but my main focus is on the gorgeous color. It is such a pretty shade of teal, and I absolutely love it. I’ve also been wanting a sweatsuit, though I didn’t ask for one. My mom must have read my mind. She said she had initially saw some at PINK, but she said they were too expensive. Though I do like their stuff, I agree that it’s quite pricey.

These are sneakers that I just ordered, so I don’t have them yet. I got some money for Christmas from my dad and aunt, so I used some of it to buy these. I’ve been wanting a pair of white Converse for a while (even though they’ll probably get dirty easily). I already have a pair of black, brown, navy blue, lilac purple, and pink ones. Plus, these are platforms, which is good for me since I’m really short. I can’t wait to get them.

What are your favorite gifts that you received this year?