Show Us Your Life: Traditions

I hope everyone had a great Turkey Day and were able to spend some quality time with your friends and families. I'll be posting some pics later today of my own family's special Thanksgiving day : )

This Friday's edition of Show Us Your Life, hosted by Kelly's Korner, is all about sharing your holiday traditions!

Every year, my mom and I put up the Christmas tree at my parents' house on my birthday, December 3. (Yes, that's next week, if you'd like to send my birthday gifts in advance : ) We've been doing this for years, and I so look forward to it.

We also hang our stockings, of course! Since I was a "Christmas baby", (born in December), they sent a stocking home with me from the hospital when I was born. I still have the same one today!

We usually have a certain theme for the tree...for instance, one year we may do a gold/red theme and the next year we might do a tree in all silver ornaments. It's so fun to think of new ideas!

I've had my own place for a couple of years now, so I've kind of formed new traditions for myself. I usually make a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine, watch "Elf" (my fave holiday movie) and bust out the boxes of Christmas decor! I know someday when I have my own family, I'll look back on these days of decorating my little apartment and smile : )

I had mulled wine for the first time in Austria 2 years ago and loved it. It's so delicious and such a festive holiday treat....

I'm actually thinking of starting a new tradition this year and doing something like this on my bedroom wall. For all you guys with apartments or small houses, check out Apartment Therapy. They give tips on decorating for small spaces!

On Christmas day, my Memaw and Papaw (my dad's parents), come over and watch my mom, dad, brother and I open presents. Then my Memaw cooks her traditional, famous Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits!

Chocolate Gravy is a traditional food from the deep-south that my Memaw has perfected over the years. It is our "official" Christmas morning breakfast!

So what are your holiday traditions? Join in the fun on Kelly's Korner today and share yours!

P.S.- I received some reader emails inquiring about the recipe for chocolate gravy, which I'd be more than happy to share! Here goes:

1/2-3/4 cup granulated sugar (to taste)

1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa

7 Tablespoons of white, all-purpose flour

1 cup milk (whole or 2% works best)

1-12 oz. can evaporated milk

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, egg and a bit of the milk in a separate bowl. Set aside.
In a pan sprayed with Pam, heat the milk until warm. Turn on medium heat. Transfer the flour and egg mixture to the saucepan.

Keep stirring as it thickens, so it won't stick or burn; reduce heat as necessary.
When it reaches a pudding-like consistency, remove from heat.
Stir in vanilla.

Gravy thickens slightly when removed from heat.
This is best prepared using an electric mixer or hand blender to help avoid any lumps.