Seven Seasonal Sensations

The beautiful and fantastic Erin did this meme and I had to jump all over it. I share seven things about me that relate to the holidays. You read them and agree that my seven items are awesome (or secretly plot my demise), then you share yours. Fun, right?
1. I adore Christmas music. My radio stays permanently on The Lite the minute the Holiday Lite takes over. I stream holiday stations at work. I play the music at home and I do this from Thanksgiving until I have a holiday music hangover, which typically is right about Christmas Day.
2. I absolutely hate how materialistic Christmas is. Unfortunately, I'm from two very materialistic families, so little handmade gifts? Completely not appreciated. But in that same breath, I love giving gifts. I love picking out the perfect gift and I get so excited when I know that I've picked it. I can't wait to see their reaction.
3. Growing up, I remember how exciting Christmas was and the anticipation of Santa Clause. I love seeing Christmas through my children's eyes. I also love that my children will know the meaning of Christmas. Junior understands why we are celebrating the holidays.
4. Christmas at my inlaws means tamales. Let me tell you, I love tamales. I would sell my appendix for tamales. They are absolutely so delicious and we typically only have them at Christmas every year, because they are absolutely so much work to make.
5. Holidays sadly remind me of the distance in my family and it makes me nostalgic for the holidays of my childhood. I miss the foods, the laughter, the family, and the traditions that my family used to share. This year, I will be cooking the Thanksgiving meal, and I'm looking forward to spending a holiday with my side of the family, and eating the foods that I look forward to every holiday. Much to my chagrin, turkey, rice, and noodle salad are not Thanksgiving, sorry inlaws.
6. Don't people just seem happier around the holidays? I don't know what it is, if it's the holiday season, the possibility of being off of work, the reminder of what our world should be like and how we should treat people, but I can just feel the Christmas season in the air. It makes going shopping for all those holiday gifts just a little bit more bearable.
7. I love holiday mornings. We typically laze around while J sleeps, and I drink some coffee and make breakfast. We watch the parade and just relax until the late afternoon, when we may go to visit or I'll start cooking for the meal. I'm looking forward to Christmas morning, when Junior will tear into his gifts and I can just watch and enjoy his excitement and be so happy that we brought that happiness to his little face.
So... what are yours?