It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We had a lot of fun putting together our Super Bowl top five (or was it top ten?), we thought we would put together a Christmas Top Five list for your enjoyment.

Top 5 Christmas Foods

I confess, I was a little surprised that Prime Rib topped the list! Growing up, the Christmas Turkey was always center stage. Another surprise is the absence of the Christmas Ham! While we never had ham growing up, it became a regular on the Christmas dinner table in later years. Then, of course, there’s the Cranberry Sauce. While it appears on most tables, I have found few people who actually like it and eat it willingly!

What about you. Are you surprised by anything on (or missing from) this top five list?

Prime Rib - A classic centerpiece for many holiday tables, known for its rich flavor and tenderness.
Christmas Turkey - Often roasted and served with various sides, it's a traditional favorite in many households.
Stuffing - This savory dish complements the turkey and is often made with bread, herbs, and spices.
Cranberry Sauce - A tangy accompaniment that balances the richness of holiday meats.
Mashed Potatoes - Creamy and buttery, these are a staple side dish that pairs well with almost any main course

Top 5 Christmas Desserts

Another list of surprises here! Frankly, I have never heard of Oatmeal Cream Pie Cheesecake! Where is the Pumpkin Pie? The Pecan Pie? The Possum Pie? understand the Red Velvet Cake, especially here in the South, and Bread Pudding is an international favorite and makes an appearance in several Classic Christmas stories and movies, so I understand it’s appearance.

Anyone else feel like you would substitute some of these desserts? What would stay and what would go?

Oatmeal Cream Pie Cheesecake - A unique twist combining two favorites into one delicious dessert.
Red Velvet Poke Cake - Moist and flavorful, this cake is perfect for festive gatherings.
Bread Pudding - A warm, comforting dessert often enhanced with spices and served with sauce.
Coconut Custard Pie - Creamy and rich, this pie offers a tropical twist to traditional holiday desserts.
Lemon Eclair Cake - Light and refreshing, this no-bake dessert is ideal for those who prefer something citrusy

Top 5 Christmas Songs

This is a BIG topic! There are classic songs, hymns, carols, popular music… and we didn’t separate them, but lumped them altogether. Let’s take a look at which Christmas Songs made it into the top 5.

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" – Mariah Carey - An upbeat anthem that has become synonymous with the holiday season.
"White Christmas" – Bing Crosby - A nostalgic classic that evokes images of snowy holidays.
"Last Christmas" – Wham! - A modern favorite that combines a catchy tune with a bittersweet story.
"Jingle Bell Rock" – Bobby Helms - A lively song that adds energy to any festive gathering.
"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" – Nat King Cole - A warm and cozy classic that captures the essence of Christmas

Again, too hard to narrow this one down, and I’m okay with this list, but really, how did “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” NOT make the list? (This was the one song we all knew when we delivered Cinnamon Rolls to some of the businesses we work with last week!)

Top 5 Christmas Movies

Hard to argue with this list. And if “It’s a Wonderful Life” hadn’t been the top choice, I would have sworn the polls were rigged! Which movies would you add? I recently watched “Red One” and think it could be a possible future contender!

It's a Wonderful Life - A heartwarming story about the impact one life can have on others during the holiday season.
Home Alone - A beloved comedy about a boy defending his home from burglars while left alone during Christmas.
A Christmas Carol - Various adaptations of Charles Dickens' classic tale about redemption and the spirit of giving.
Elf - A humorous take on Christmas through the eyes of a human raised by elves in the North Pole.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - A comedic look at family holiday traditions gone awry

Top 5 Christmas Activities

Of course, spending time with people and doing fun things together is one of the best parts of the Christmas Season. And, while there are countless possible activities, we confess, it’s hard to narrow it down to just 5. But we think this is a pretty good list. I have done each of them at least once. What is your favorite activity?

Go Caroling - Spread holiday cheer by singing Christmas songs in your neighborhood or at local events.
Build a Gingerbread House - A fun and creative activity for families, allowing for artistic expression and tasty results.
Watch a Tree Lighting Ceremony - Attend a local event to kick off the holiday season with festive lights and community spirit.
Host a White Elephant Gift Exchange - Bring laughter and surprise to your gatherings with this entertaining gift swap game.
Create Holiday Cards - Craft personalized cards to send to friends and family, adding a heartfelt touch to your holiday greetings.

Top 6 Christmas Traditions from Around the World

Okay, we had to add a 6th, because the United States didn’t even make it on this “around the world” list! We found some of these interesting… especially #5!!! Do you agree with our choice for Elf on a Shelf for the U.S.? Or would you have chosen something different?

La Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil) in Guatemala - A unique ritual where effigies of the devil are burned to cleanse homes of misfortunes.
Hiding the Christmas Pickle in Germany - A fun game where the first child to find a hidden pickle ornament on the tree receives an extra gift.
Christmas Pudding in the UK - A rich dessert traditionally made on Stir-up Sunday, often containing lucky charms for good fortune.
Nochebuena in Mexico - A festive family gathering on Christmas Eve with food, music, and celebrations that last late into the night.
KFC for Christmas Dinner in Japan - A modern tradition where many families order fried chicken from KFC as a special holiday meal.
Elf on a Shelf - A popular tradition where a scout elf watches a child and reports to Santa each night.

Top 5 Christmas Decorations

Another list that is difficult to argue with. Anything missing? What are your favorite Christmas decorations?

Christmas Tree - The centerpiece of holiday decor, adorned with lights, ornaments, and tinsel.
Wreaths - Beautifully crafted wreaths made from evergreen branches, often decorated with bows and ornaments for doors.
String Lights - Twinkling lights that create a magical atmosphere both indoors and outdoors during the festive season.
Nativity Scenes - Displays depicting the birth of Jesus, often featuring figurines of Mary, Joseph, and other key figures.
Stockings - Hung by the fireplace or around the house, these are filled with small gifts and treats for family members.

Well, that about wraps up this Top 5 Christmas List. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Live Love Arkansas Realty Group, we wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas.