Happy December + Giveaway

December? For Real?  How is it already the end of the year???  I can't believe how fast this year has gone by.  It took me a little longer than normal to get in the holiday spirit this year starting with Halloween.  I will definitely blame it on having a baby in September.  I was just always playing catch-up as you might imagine.  Thankfully, I still had a blast with Halloween and Thanksgiving didn't disappoint a bit.  

Now I feel ready to tackle Christmas.  

December is always such a fun month, but crazy-hectic at the same time.  The last couple of years I have always shared my favorite gift ideas for the holiday season, but I haven't been able to get my act together this year.  Plus, there are 9 million other bloggers doing a great job at that; so you are just as smart to check out all of theirs.   Hopefully I can knock out my shopping soon.  I definitely didn't get it all done during Cyber Monday like I had hoped.  Oh well....25 more days to knock it out, right??

I love decorating for Christmas and am mostly done with the decorating this year.  I shared our decor last year and can't wait to do another home tour this year.   I even had a blast decorating Brody's nursery too.  I can't wait to add those decorations to his big boy room this year :)

Last December, I threw my first Secret Santa Party.  It was so much fun.  I had played some different "dirty santa" games at a few company holiday parties, but I had never done one myself.  I invited a bunch of girlfriends over and everyone had to bring a wrapped gift no more than $40.  We all ate appetizers, drank wine, visited, and then had the gift exchange.  It was a great excuse to have everyone together and a smart way to save some money so you aren't buying so many gifts for all of your friends.  It was such a hit that we will be doing it again this year.  

Do you have any type of tradition you do with your friends around the holidays??

I'm linking up with Sara, Pinky and Katie today for their Countdown to Christmas link-up party.  You can share anything you want every Tuesday from now until Christmas and hop around to get some great ideas from others.  I love getting my inspiration from other bloggers.  

I have a few other fun things planned this December and I hope to get everything done plus have lots of fun doing it.  Thanks for reminiscing with me and tell me your favorite things to do in December.  If buying Christmas gifts for your friends and family is on that list, be sure to enter this dreamy giveaway below!!!

To help Christina at Christina Lea Loves celebrate her second blogiversary, myself and some other fabulous gals teamed up for an exciting giveaway.  We're giving away a bunch of Lilly Pulitzer goodies {including a $60 gift card, wine tote, wine coaster and set of two stemless wine glasses}.  The giveaway will run through next Monday, December 7th.  Enter via the rafflecopter below and remember, every link is one entry closer to winning! Lots of luck! 

Hosted by: 

{christina lea loves}

& the fabulous co-hosts:

 {the sequin notebook}  {home of malones}  {borrowed heaven} 

{champagne & suburbs}  {miss in the midwest}  {pink & fabulous}  {kids & cabernet}

a Rafflecopter giveaway