Finding the right Christmas traditions has been stressful for me in the past. With everyone on their social media soapboxes blasting their opinions how how many presents you should give (only three, like the wise men!) why you're evil if you have elf on the shelf, and how to make gluten free treats, it kind of all got to me. So I've been experimenting and trying new things and trying to keep my mind clear, trying to find what will be special for us.
And one tradition seems to rise up and take hold each year. Making gingerbread cookies. I just really love them and I think maybe it should be a monthly tradition. It was fun that Hazel is old enough to join in too this year.
I've given up frosting them, I always ruin them when I try. Thanks mom for the cute cookie stamps that saved Christmas this year.
Another steady and classic tradition is to decorate the tree. We put on some Christmas music, had hot chocolate and then watched a Christmas movie afterwards. When the kids are older Buck wants to adopt a tradition from his childhood of sleeping under the tree the night after decorating it.
Here are the girls' first Christmas ornaments.
Don't you decorate your tree in your underwear?
Another good one is to make something for those around you. This year for the gifts for our neighbors and friends we decided to make these peppermint candy dishes. I think they turned out cute! I almost love them as much as the candles I made one year.
And this year I think I found two traditions that will stick through the years.
The first one was an idea from a friend. I went and checked out 24 Christmas books from the library and each night after the girls brush their teeth they come running out to see what new wrapped book is under the tree. It's been a fun little thing. It doesn't take much time to set up. But then not only are we reading a new Christmas story every night, we are forced to take extra time to slow down and spend some peaceful story time together. But in case I'm ever accused of not "keeping it real" just know that this has been mainly a thing for June. Hazel is usually running around, trying to avoid bedtime.
The last one is something that my family did for a few years when I was a kid. You get a little manger and through the month you all do kind acts of service to those around you and each time you get to add some straw to the manger. Then on Christmas Eve we get to lay baby Jesus down in the soft bed of good works. It's simple, undemanding, yet motivating to keep the true spirit of Christmas during a crazy month. I found a kit HERE and it's simple and comes with a story to start the season out.
June's been cute about it. She does little things like closing the dishwasher, throwing trash away, or giving us extra hugs and kisses.
It's been a god month. What are some of your favorite traditions, old or new?
5 comments:
These are all great traditions. We've been doing the gingerbread for the last 3 years or so but this year was the first year we used your recipe, so it happened to be the most delicious too! Your peppermint bowls are adorable! I've been thinking about the book tradition, we've just been cycling through the 5 Christmas books we have. And I love that June really gets into the manger activity!
I want to try a version of the giving manger next year for sure. Also, I always decorate the tree in my underwear (and clothing). It concerning that you don't wear underwear while decorating... ;)
I'm glad you were able to find a manger and carry on that tradition. I know the times we did it it always brought more of the true Christmas spirit into our home.
It's fun to find what works for you. We have tried different things over the years and some things have dropped off as I've realized they aren't as important to us and maybe more hassel than they are worth. Our favorite tradition has come to be doing a 12 Days of Christmas secret service for another family. In November we start thinking about who we can do it for this year...we try to pick a family that could use cheering up. We've done it for people who are experiencing bad health or unemployment or other trials. I look forward to doing this every year and it has become one of my favorite traditions! One of my other favorites is getting a new ornament for the tree each year--often one that represents something we did that year.
I just heard about a tradition that I liked and may try. One family we know put out a box at Thanksgiving and from then until Christmas they write down things they are thankful for and put them in the box. On Christmas morning, they open the box and read all the things they are thankful for and then the person who put in the most things gets to open the first present! I thought that was a sweet way to encourage everyone to have a spirit of gratitude throughout the Christmas season.
Oh and I love the book idea and the peppermint bowls are darling!!
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