Christmas Traditions

That magical season is upon us, yet again.  Christmastime!!

Growing up, Christmas was always a special time of the year, filled with family memories and traditions.  Some of those traditions I plan on carrying on, with Lincoln.  I also plan on starting some new traditions with our little family, as well.

Here are some traditions, new and old, that I hope to carry out with our family.

Trimming the tree, and decorating the house together.  As a kid, I very vividly remember my Mom playing Christmas music, while we all trimmed the tree, and decorated the house.  It was a fun-filled day, for the entire family.  Later that evening, we’d sip hot cocoa while we chatted around the Christmas tree.

Making Christmas cookies.  From scratch.  None of this refrigerated dough stuff, where you simply drop the cookie onto the sheet and bake.  I’m talking rolling out the dough, cookie cutters, and lots of sprinkles.  A messy time, for sure.  But the fun memories you make with your children?  They’re simply irreplacable.

Riding the Polar Express.  Each year I hope to take Lincoln on a train ride.  We’re going on our first one this coming weekend, and I just know he’s going to love it.

Make handmade gifts.  Last year we made salt dough handprints and baseball handprints.  This year I’m sticking with the handprint theme, but doing something a little different.  I’ll be posting about this on a later date.

Elf on the Shelf.  Although I really really thought the whole elf thing was creepy, last year my Mom bought one for Lincoln.  So, this year we’ll be implementing him.  I’m sure despite its creepiness, it will be fun 🙂

Adopting a family.  This isn’t something my family was able to do when I was a kid.  My Dad sometimes worked two jobs, just so my Mom could stay home with my brother and me.  However, this is something that we can do now.  I think giving back to someone who really needs help, especially during the holidays, is a wonderful thing.  I think it’s a great thing to do with Lincoln, and will teach him that Christmas isn’t all about the presents.  It’s about helping and giving to others in need.

Watching Christmas movies.  All snuggled up on the couch, together as a family.  Some old classics we love are, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.  There are also lots of new movies that we enjoy, like Jingle All the Way, The Flight Before Christmas, The Polar Express, Santa Paws, and Santa Buddies, amongst others.

Visiting Christmas Village.  A few towns over from us they have this place called, “Christmas Village.”  It’s literally set up to be just like the North Pole.  They have different little houses, where you can visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, and there’s even a toy workshop where the elves are!  Outside they have live reindeer, and other fun Christmas decorations.

What are some of your Christmas traditions?