Christmas Traditions

This was one of my favorite gifts from "Santa". My kitchen set that I got when I was 5 or 6. 

Man, my parents look TIRED! I used to wake them up at the crack of dawn!

M's first Christmas is coming!!! Christmas has always been a magical time for me. While growing up, decorating the tree was my favorite time of the year. My mom always had us take a cheesy photo pretending to be hanging an ornament. I can't wait until M is old enough to do the same. My grandma always got me an advent calendar. It was so exciting to open a square each day to see what kind of chocolate I would get. We also opened one present every year on Christmas Eve. My family did the Santa tradition, even after I found out that it was my parents giving me the gifts. My mom laid out my gifts from Santa on the couch every year until I moved out. She even still has a stocking waiting for me every year when I arrive. Watching Christmas movies on the days leading up to Christmas has also become a tradition between my husband and I during our 6 Christmases together, A Christmas Story is always my favorite.

We started a tradition this year for M's first Christmas. We decorated the tree, watched Rudolf and drank egg nog (just Steve and I drank the egg nog). I also received an ornament last year when I was pregnant, and we got one for M this year. We plan to get one every year for her. I want to start more traditions with her that we can continue for years to come and that she can pass on as well. What are some of your Christmas traditions? I would love to hear them!

One I am thinking of trying is Elf on a Shelf. My husband already has 2 elves like this that he got as an heirloom from his Grandma when she passed away. This would be a really fun way to pass on a tradition with the elves. Does anyone have any fun Elf on a Shelf ideas? I think I will be posting an Elf on a Shelf post very soon. :)

Here is one of M helping us decorate the tree this year.