I don't know about you, but when I think back to every Christmas during my childhood, it was NEVER about the gifts. It's always the traditions that I shared with my family that first comes to mind. Decorating the house, hanging the ornaments, lighting up the tree, listening to Christmas music, and so many more.
Why Start Family Christmas Traditions?
My family has amazing Christmas traditions - very few that have had to be "put away" as my siblings and I have grown up. And as Pinterest has come to be part of my everyday parenting life, I've even added a few more to my own list. Things that will make special memories that will last my children a lifetime and ultimately make us a stronger family. After all, it's the traditions in life that make it sweet right?
Looking at the Lights
Christmas is not only the most wonderful time of the year, but it is easily the most colorful as well! We love to take advantage of all the massive displays in town by driving around and looking at the beautifully lit-up houses. This is something that you can even start early on the babies love all of the colors capturing their attention, the toddlers love the "cool" lights and action in it, and the older kids love to point out all of the differences in the houses. It is truly something for all ages. And doesn't even require really getting out or spending money. You could snuggle up in a blanket or blast the heater in the car and drink some hot cocoa along the way!
Picking Out a Tree
Let's be honest, it isn't Christmas until you've got a tree! This is one of my true favorites and one that gets the whole family involved. We bundle up the kids and head out into the cold to slowly pick up each tree, shake it out, and see which one is the perfect height and width for our house. There's no real guide to picking the perfect tree - I've come to know. It's more a feeling. You know in a mere glance that the one, the perfect tree for your family, is just it. And there's nothing like filling the house with the smell of a fresh tree during the holidays! (For now we just go to a tree farm, but one day we can't wait to take the kids to hike up and chop down our very own tree).
Decorating the House
Now that the tree is picked, it's time for the real fun! Probably one of my favorite things to do during the whole month on December is to decorate. To hang the lights perfectly on the layers of the tree as they slowly light up the room as well. To hang up every ornament, filling in the gaps one by one. To hang up the stockings each representing a member of our family. To make the house sparkle with garland, bows, figurines, and more lights. And much, much more. It really gets us all in the Christmas spirit.
Making a Gingerbread House
Some years we've bought kits and some we've started from scratch, but either way, there is so much joy in being allowed to play with your food. Every since my son was able to have a little sugar, I've made a point to include gingerbread houses in our tradition. He loves being able to add all of the colors to a once bland house. Plus, it helps to throw in a little giggles in watching me struggle to paste the house together perfect as they fall every two seconds as he sneaks in a few pieces of candy.
Homemade Cards
Something that is not only money saving, but also extra special. It's so fun to bust out some construction paper, washi tape, puffy paints, and just see everyone get creative! They also have this ability to reconnect with family and friends near and far. We try to keep them positive and factual. It's the one time of the year the we send and receive good wishes in the mail.
Baking from Scratch
Every year we dust off the old recipe book and try our hands at some delicious treats. We have set aside a special day (usually the day before Christmas Eve) to make a few different sweets. Usually including sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, thumbprint cookies, oreo truffles, gingerbread, gingersnap cookies, butterscotch shortbread cookies, snickerdoodle cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and peppermint mocha cookies - to name a few. The simple act pays homage to our loved ones, especially the ones that are now gone. Plus, it has saved us a lot of money as we have gifted all of them in an assorted box to families as gifts when money was tight.
Share Memories
A big part of the season is the joy found in reminiscing about what makes up our family. Sharing stories, traditions, and values defines our family and it's truly been the best gift to each other that doesn't cost a penny. I love to have my closest family together on Christmas night to enjoy each other's company and tell stories from over the years or even what happened throughout this year. To just laugh and take in it all!
Family Pictures
I love the idea of observing how everyone changes throughout the years, whether it be individually or by families. And that includes the "nice" pictures and the "ugly". On Christmas Eve, we get pictures of us all dressed up, looking our best. And on Christmas day we get my favorite pictures. The ones in our pajamas, with our hair crazy from lying on it just moments before, surrounded with all the torn wrapping paper.
Movie Marathon
Every Christmas is dedicated to having a cozy morning to watch a few holiday movies. After the craziness of the eating, unwrapping, and little but of cleaning as soon as we get up, it's calm down time. We throw on at least three movies (usually A Christmas Story, The Grinch, and Elf). The adults enjoy some coffee and snuggle under some blankets, while the kids play with their new toys under the glow of the T.V. and tree.
New Ornament
Each year as we bust out the decorations, we take ourselves down to the mall for a new family ornament. We started this tradition when I got pregnant with my son. The first year we had penguins (one holding an egg), the second year we got bears of our three person family, the third year we got snowman (one pregnant), and this year we opted with some deer for our first year as a family of four. I remember as a child, loving that my Grandma Debi would always give me a new Barbie ornament to hang up. It was something personal I got to add to the tree every year and I loved seeing my collection grow. And I still have them to this day to someday pass on to my daughter. I can't wait to look back to reminisce over the years while hanging up each one as they fill our tree more and more every year.
Reading
We can't forget the books! Anyone who knows me, knows what an important part books play in mine and my children's lives. So every year I try to include at least one Christmas themed book every day. And also a little bible reading. We aren't a very religious family, but we do believe. And we NEVER want our kids to forget the real reason that we celebrate Christmas. So that means fitting in a little bit of our reading time to take in the second chapter of Luke, the story of the birth of Jesus in verses 1-20.
Make a Playlist
I love to compile a list pf my favorite holiday songs (most country, of course) and listen to them throughout the season. We throw it on during all of the activities. Listening to it during our crafts, cooking, baking, cleaning, gift wrapping, reading times, and EVERYTHING! Let's just say, as soon as December 1st rolls around, so does the music. And I love the Christmas spirit that it brings with it. As long as I stay away from working in retail every again, Christmas music will forever be loved during the holidays.
Donate Unused Toys
I go through all of their rooms at the beginning of December to collect toys and clothes that they no longer want or use. It creates more space for the item they're sure to soon receive. And when they get older they'll learn about the good in helping others, especially in the holiday season.
Write a Letter to the Kids
This is something new I started this year, now that our holidays as a true family have begun. Every year I want to take the time to write a letter to my children (individually) and save them for the years to come. Then as adults, they will have another meaningful thing to read, enjoy, and someday share with their own family.
Christmas Outfits
Christmas Eve is usually spent with my husband's family (a big family I may add). And during this night, we love to get dressed up as a family, picking out the perfect dressy outfits for the occasion to spend the night with a larger part of our family. And then that night, I love to put the kids in some Christmas pajamas to sleep in and wear into the next day. It's the perfect set up for our cozy, relaxed, and smaller Christmas day.
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