Christmas at the Cafe.

This week has been one of the more exhausting weeks of my life.

But in a good way.

Aside from being the week before Christmas, it's been the week of soft openings at brew@602. Which meant training our baristas, waiting expectantly at the door for last minute items to arrive, figuring out the (multiple) kinks in bar flow, and staying on top of exercise, socializing, writing here, writing there, wrapping presents, and getting at least eight hours of sleep every night.  

But I've done it, somehow. We're closed until our official opening, which is the 28th of this month, and I have the next two days off.

I'm thinking extra special cocktails (shots on shots on shots), hours in the bath (complete with bubbles, candle, and a movie of sorts), a cat nap, and time to really enjoy a basketball game without the distraction of trying to do ten other things at the same time.

That's not to say that I haven't enjoyed being at 602 every day this week from the wee hours of the morning until the late hours of the night, because it has been the one thing that has reminded me that this is also a time to revel in the Christmas cheer.

602 is a train car right out of the Polar Express. It's got lights, garland, a Christmas tree, otter ornaments, hot hot chocolate, a fabulous hand-picked Christmas playlist, and one very enthusiastic train crew. 

So it's been Christmas at the café all week. Without even realizing it, I was prepping myself for the holidays all while I was working.

I mean, just take a look at this place! How can you not feel the holiday spirit?

Few of My Favorite Things.

Every year, I find myself returning to old Christmas habits.

My beverage choice goes from latte to peppermint hot chocolate (with lots of whipped cream!).

My Spotify playlist changes from G-Eazy/blackbear/Jaymes Young to Christmas tunes featuring all the classics, and then some.

My closet switches from pencil skirts and crop tops to polka dotted skirts and ugly Christmas sweaters (are they ugly though?). 

My fireplace goes from empty to full of fire.

Weather goes from freezing rain to (hopefully) lots of snow.

My desserts go from, well, cookie to cookies.

These are just a few of my favorite things when it comes to Christmastime.

This year has been no different. Although I find myself exceedingly overwhelmed and my schedule far busier than usual, I still manage to find time to enjoy these little things that make Christmas, Christmas.

It's such a special time of year and some things will just always remain the same.

But they'll be new traditions as well, which is an exciting part of growing up.

And so I ask you:

What's your Christmas tradition?

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie (for me, it's The Polar Express and The Grinch) you watch every year? Do you attend that annual Christmas party or participate in a little late night eggnog (I'm talking the alcoholic kind)?

Or is it something like wearing the same holiday skirt every year (and then vamping it up with a low cut top)?

What? I couldn't help it. I was drinking hot chocolate and wanted to channel my inner "Cocoa" Chanel...