The Most Wonderful Time

This weekend truly kicked off the holiday season for me (Thanksgiving too...because I'm an inclusive person!) Friday night in Pittsburgh was Light Up Night, when I swear that every individual in Allegheny County converged on the downtown area. While I have only gone once before, I can honestly say that it was not nearly as packed as it was this year. When I was not angrily shoving my way through crowds or coping with the rude teenagers cutting right in front of me in the line to see the gingerbread houses--am I sounding like an old lady yet?--I was quite filled with holiday spirit.

We missed the lighting of Pittsburgh's answer to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, but we were sure to make that our first stop. I really do love all of the lights and Christmas decorations that are in PPG Place from now to the end of the season. My roommate said it very aptly when she looked at the tree in the middle of the ice skating rink and said, "I just gives me the happy, warm fuzzies inside."

Back home for Thanksgiving! After a 4 hour drive, this was a nice and familiar sight.

I do feel the warm fuzzies on the inside, I must say. But just the inside...externally I am freezing because temps are finally dropping to characteristic levels and as poor college students we are pushing the limits on when we should cave and turn the heat on. Edit: the heat is now on. Wearing gloves in the house was a good hint that it needed to happen, I guess.

<3 Ashley

Are you ready for the holidays? Also, Happy Thanksgiving...probably will not be online tomorrow. Enjoy your families!

How Early is Too Early

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Recently--about a week ago--my roommates and I decided that we could officially start going holiday crazy. We are planning our roommate Thanksgiving for before our break, making plans for Light Up Night in Downtown Pittsburgh this Friday to see the Christmas tree in PPG Place, making gallons of hot chocolate, and also listening to Christmas music. Yes, Christmas music started a week ago and has all been downloaded to my phone. We are all on the same page with the holiday schedule and it is wonderful.

However, there are mumblings of people getting frustrated with the early Christmas excitement. I know one girl my friend is acquainted with loves Thanksgiving and feels that we are skipping over the day of thanks completely. So the question I pose to you all: How early is too early for Christmas?

Here are my thoughts. For me, the winter holidays are not really systematic to me. To be perfectly honest, I lump Thanksgiving and Christmas together as the holidays. Both are spent with family, sharing time and stories around the table together. They are only a month apart anyway, so both make-up the holiday season for me. For that reason, I do not feel a shred of guilt for starting the Christmas tunes in early November (not the first day...I do have some self-control.) I respect the rights of others to rage about my level of joy in mid-November, but please also respect my right to wrap myself in Christmas lights and belt "Silver Bells." ;P

<3 Ashley

How early do you start Christmas music/decorations? What is too early?

Thanksgiving Style: Packing Light

As you read this I am either preparing for my bus ride home or am well on my way. Every year I get more and more anxious to go home and see my family and enjoy the holidays. Pittsburgh is great, but it's nice to get a break from the busy, busy, busy and change to a quieter setting. I will admit that though I am itching to make this trip, I have left the packing until the very last minute...procrastination at its finest. 

At this point I have got packing for the holidays down to a science--I take the bus home and they only allow one suitcase. Since I'm only home for a short period, I try to stick to only packing the basics. I make sure to look ahead at the weather forecast for the days that I am home and go from there. This year it's going to be straight up cold--snow tomorrow, of course! I've got several sweaters stacked in a corner of my bag, jeans and black leggings occupy another corner and one pair of boots and a pair of clogs in another. Then of course I take into account what I am wearing for travel; I've got flats, leggings and a button down handy (and I could honestly wear that again!) Of course, you also have to take into account your Black Friday haul!

<3 Ashley

Are you heading home for the holiday? What's in your suitcase?