There are many ways to celebrate the holiday season that do not involve giving a gift. In this post, I share my family’s annual Christmas traditions that started when I was a little girl as well as the new ones my husband and I have begun with our own children.
Christmas is in less than a week and this time of year always makes me feel nostalgic. There are wonderful holiday traditions that my family has done year after year, never changing, and I am so glad that it is that way. Whether we are watching Ernest Saves Christmas (yes, my parents own the DVD) or playing the silliest family games together on Christmas Eve, these fun activities have stayed steadfast. Since becoming a mom, I have added to our family Christmas traditions list and I hope my children will continue to celebrate these as well as create new ones with their future families.
Hello December
The month of December starts off with a bang when our two Elves on the Shelf, Present and Butterscotch, make their appearance. We also have an advent calendar (I love this one from Pottery Barn Kids) which I stuff with leftover Halloween candy. As a young girl, my family and I would watch Ernest Saves Christmas, but I have since replaced it with the movie Elf for my children. It is guaranteed we will watch it number of times and laugh hysterically at Will Ferrell eating a bowl full of maple syrup spaghetti. I grew up performing in The Nutcracker, so seeing this beautiful holiday ballet performance was a huge tradition for our family. When I stopped dancing, the ballet tradition took a ten year hiatus. But this year I took my mom and daughter to see The Nutcracker and I am thrilled to say this tradition will definitely be coming back.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve begins with a formal dinner with family, friends, and fr-amily. We dress in our holiday best and celebrate the night over delicious drink, food, and dessert. We play a silly game that all ages can enjoy and when it is over we open our traditional Christmas Eve gift. Each year, my mom gifts everyone new pair of pajamas and a book. The book encourages little ones to read and fall asleep so Santa can come. And new clean jammies means everyone will be looking fresh on Christmas morning. Before bedtime, cookies and milk are set out for Santa as well as a couple of carrots for his magic reindeer.
Christmas Day
Christmas morning for us starts early. Whatever child wakes up first gets to awaken the entire family and the present opening bonanza begins. Stockings stuffed by Santa himself and gifts from the North Pole are always opened first! And usually the Elves leave a goodbye note for my kids as they head off to the North Pole until next December. Though we don’t officially take turns unwrapping gifts, my family tends to watch each other open presents and admire what was given and acknowledge who it was from.
After gifts, it’s brunch. We get changed out of our Christmas Eve pajamas and go for a walk, do another silly game, play with our gifts, and just enjoy our time with one another.
Christmas Day finishes with another traditional dinner and with full bellies and full hearts we part our separate ways for the night.
This wonderful Christmas routine has been going on for as long as I can remember. Tell me your favorite holiday traditions. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
