Monday, December 5, 2011

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. 

4 comments:

Unknown said...

We used to always read the Polar Express book together one of the nights before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we got to open one present and it was always a new pair of warm pajamas to wear that night. And we had the same breakfast casserole on Christmas morning and that was always the one day a year that we had it so that made it special too. Looking forward to the Elf on the Shelf post. I'd never heard of it before this year and now it is everywhere, but I'm still not sure what it is...

Unknown said...

Growing up we always opened up a present on Christmas eve. I'm planning on buying a Christmas/winter themed book for my daughter [and future children we have] every year. My favorite DVDs to watch are Miracle on 34th Street and Sleepless in Seattle.

Brittany W. said...

We bake cookies (the women- me, mom, gram, aunts, brenna) and then give some to neighbors and family while listening to Christmas music, I wrapped 25 Christmas books and Brenna opens one each night and we read it together, Christmas Eve service at church, apple cider on Christmas Eve and lots of Christmas movies too :) Have the best time!!!

Brittany W. said...

I also LOVE that picture of you and your parents! LOL!

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