I've always loved Christmas. It's definitely my favorite holiday and I love all of the memories I have of Christmas. My parents always made it such a special time for us and I want to do the same for my kids. Many of our traditions come from our families, but I always love to hear other's traditions because sometimes it's something I'd like to incorporate too. So I thought I'd share a few things that we added to our holiday fun this year!
Christmas Card Picture in a Frame: I saw this idea last
year, and I have no clue where I saw it. I know I read a blog that had
their Christmas cards in a frame that said "Christmas
2012", etc. for each year. Anybody know who that is? Needless to say, I
thought that was a fun idea to set out past cards so I bought a frame at
Kohl's for this year's card and look forward to having a collection of
these to pull out each Christmas and look back on.
Ornaments for Kids: This was a tradition I saw several people
mention last year, and I was so bummed I hadn't thought to do this from
Manny's first year. But then I realized...who cares? It doesn't have to
be perfect to be a tradition, and he won't care that he's "missing" 2
ornaments. So I decided I would start doing it this year. I bought an
ornament for each kid to "reflect the year". Of course Maeva's is a
Baby's First Christmas, and Manny picked out a truck with a cow in it.
So fitting for him as he loves cars/trucks and all animals right now. I
got both of these from Kohl's for less than $5, and just wrote their
name and year on the bottom with a Sharpie.
Kid's Trees in Rooms: Growing up, my parents always let my sister and I get a tree for our
room. We would pick it out, my dad would cut it down, and we'd take it home and decorate it. I clearly remember falling asleep at night staring at our little tree in our room and I love the memories from that. Now that Manny's old enough to get
into Christmas, I thought this would be a good year to start this tradition with him. So we went to the Christmas tree farm and picked one out, and it's now proudly displayed in his room with all his favorite ornaments (including some he's made as well as a set of Thomas ornaments he picked out at Target.)
Advent Calendar with Chocolates: When we were kids, my grandparents would mail us an advent calendar with a chocolate in each window. I always thought those were so neat, and when I saw one at Hobby Lobby this year I thought it'd be a fun thing for Manny. Next year I hope to do one of the activity based advent calendars...couldn't get my act together in time this year. But Manny looks forward to this each day - and I'm sure it's to hear the scripture, not just get the chocolate. ;)
So there are our new things for this year. Like I said, I've decided to tell the perfectionist in me - so what if you haven't done it every year? All that matters is the present, and making the most of each holiday spent together. What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Anything I'm missing out on that's a must? :)
St. Nick brings Connor an ornament each year to put on his tree in his room. The ornament encompasses something we have done that year. Last year it was an ornament from OBX since we vacationed there. This year it was a seahorse from Shedd Aquarium and a JD tractor since that was his birthday party theme.
ReplyDeleteI have seen where someone kept Christmas cards from friends sent throughout the years. They took the cards, cut the pics out, and made a wall hanging of the cards and gifted them to the family. I have been saving cards from our friends that I can do something similar with many years from now.
Love the idea of framing Christmas cards. I never know what to do with our cards after Christmas. This is a nice way to both preserve them and remember them every year!
ReplyDeleteI want to do an ornament each year with the girls. Love that. We use to do those chocolate advant calanders when I was little
ReplyDeleteDid that frame already say "Christmas 2012" or did you cut the mat yourself? I like the idea! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, it did! I got it at Kohl's.
DeleteI buy Ty an ornament every year. It is so fun too look back & see the date written on the backs. This year I am starting the tradition of buying Jack a Christmas book. I think it will be fun to have a collection built up that only comes out this time of year. I found a great first Christmas board book.
ReplyDeleteI got an ornament from my parents each year so now we get one for our girl each year. I've never framed my Christmas card but I really love the idea and I love our card so much this year that I may frame it for the rest of the year (not just Christmas)! We also bake cookies and give them away! Nothing crazy or elaborate just easy recipes then bag them up and give them away! :-) Spread the JOY!
ReplyDeleteOur new Christmas traditions are a Santa's Magic Key I read about here: http://www.alamodemaven.com/2012/11/santas-magic-key.html?m=1 and the 25 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Advent we learned from here: http://pitterpatterart.com/?s=Random+acts+of+kindness. The kindness acts have really helped my children understand about giving and how much joy it brings to others and to yourself. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I always buy a special Christmas book each year. We started this before we had kiddos and now that we have two boys it's so much fun to pull out our Christmas books and read one each night at storytime. Nevermind that our two year old loves to read one of his favorites at LEAST three times a day ;) I love childrens books and there are so many beautiful Christmas ones that we will enjoy for many years to come. (I also write the year we bought them, so I remember)
ReplyDelete