Anywho, aside from her being afraid of the big guy in person, he sure does love her. He's already got all her gifts ready to be discovered! (Mama is helping him out by keeping them in the basement/garage until Christmas morning). I am so excited this year to see how she reacts when she comes down the stairs and sees all those gifts under the tree. I've been hearing alot about other people's Christmas traditions, and it got me thinking about how lucky both Ryan and I are that we never even discussed ours! We had such similar experiences growing up, and enjoyed the traditions we already had, that we are just continuing them with our own children. So I thought I would share what we do, and see what everyone else does.
The tree-goes up by the end of November. Usually the last or second last weekend in November. If it's the real tree, then as late as the first weekend in Dec, but usually we can't wait to get it up and go for the fake one.
The gifts- the good ones are from Santa, this year, Santa gets all the credit for the play kitchen we saved up for for 2 full months, the stocking, the mega block set, all the expensive and cool stuff. But, of course we aren't about to let the girls think we buy for everyone except them, so we do give them gifts from us as well, but it's the less cool stuff. The books, clothes, smaller toys... ya, we're okay with letting Santa have it, it is so worth it to have the little faces all lit up and believing in magic as long as possible. The last couple years, mama and daddy have just gotten stockings. Between having Addie girl, buying a new house and having another little princess on the way, we're happy with that. We'd rather put the money that's left (and after buying for Addison that's not much) on the new nursery. Right now, Addison's room is the only room in the house that is actually painted and decorated, soon, there will be two rooms, and we are very excited to have two beautiful little girls rooms set up.
Food- That's a no brainer. We both have amazing moms that know how to cook. Spending Christmas dinner at our own house will not come up until they both stop cooking so well. This year we are thrilled to have both our families at our house Christmas morning to see Addison open her gifts and have breakfast together, but will be making the 20 min trek to my parents house soon after to get ready for my mom's always delicious Turkey dinner. There is always so much food around at Christmas, it is fabulous.
Family Traditions- In my family, we all got a new ornament every year. My parents started the tradition so that we (my brothers and I) would all have our own set of ornaments to start on our own tree when we started our own families. Ryan and I love this tradition and started it with Addison last year. This year she even picked out her own ornament (a jingle bell painted like a snowman wearing a santa hat).
Opening one gift each on Christmas eve. In my house, it was always a new outfit to wear to church that night, or a new pair of pajamas to wear that night. Sometimes it would be a small toy, puzzle or game for the family to play with that night. We are continuing this with Addison as well.
New Traditons- Daddy reads The Night Before Christmas on Christmas eve as the bedtime story. Addison just loves being read to, and I think this is a great new tradition. She enjoyed looking at the pictures last year, this year she will understand at least some of the story I hope.
Addison made her own presents (clay hand imprint ornaments) for her grandparents last year. This year she is making them something as well. Every year the grandparents will get a homemade gift from the girls. We started it as a tradition because we know they will appreciate the gifts, and we think it`s a nice way to teach the girls Christmas is more about giving from thier hearts than from the mall.
The Elf on the Shelf- My mom bought this for Addison while I was still pregnant with her. We didn`t think she would really get the concept this year, but next year, I am so excited to see how she does with it. If you aren`t familiar with the concept: it is a set you can buy, A book that comes with a small elf doll. The book tells the story about how the elf is a helper of Santas and he watches the kids all day. Every night he goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa, and returns in a new spot in the house in the morning. The kids never know where he will pop up, so they have to be on their best behaviour at all times. And you can`t touch the elf or else his magic will wear off and he won`t be able to get back to the North Pole (so if Santa doesnt know if you`ve been good there will be no presents).
These are the main things that make Christmas Christmas in our house. What makes it Christmas in yours
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