1. The Tree - One of the first traditions of the holidays is picking out our Christmas tree. I love that our tree has been hand planted by my dad many years ago and shaped by his own hands. It is so special going to Papa's house to tag our tree or cut it down. Each year, we seem to get a bigger and bigger tree (we had to cut some of the top off this year to make it fit). Maybe our ceilings are getting smaller or my ability to gauge the height of a tree is WAY off! I like to have the tree up in early December so we can enjoy it for the entire month.
2. Ornaments - My mom buys the kids a new ornament each year. I keep the boxes of each ornament, labeled with the date to help keep them all organized. Justin and I also have our own ornaments from when we were growing up and before we had children. The little ones love picking out their ornaments and I think they will be excited to put them on their ow tree after they leave home. I was thinking of making a handmade ornament this year with every one's thumbprint, but I may not have time...
3. Cookies - Since we've had Alena, we have made it a tradition to make sugar cookies with Grandma and Papa. Papa is always helpful and makes the dough ahead of time (we use the same yummy recipe). Each year, Alena has gotten more and more into making the cookies. This year, she pretty much rolled her own dough, cut out the cookies and frosted and decorated them without much help. Lauren and Caleb skipped the decorating this year because they were napping, but they did get to enjoy their first cookie after their slumber! They enjoyed it!
4. Elf On The Shelf - I honestly had never heard of Elf on the Shelf until my mom bought us one the year Alena was born. It sounded a little weird at first, but thought it might be fun once she was 2. I know some people use the little elf to threaten their little ones to behave. We don't do that. Instead we have fun hiding him each night, or making him do naughty things, but we don't tell the kids "The Elf is watching you." Alena gets a kick out of looking for him each morning and it's a great way to get her out of bed in the morning on school days :).
5. Gingerbread House - This was a new one this year but I would say it was successful. Alena enjoyed decorating the premade gingerbread house with frosting and candies (I can't imagine doing one that wasn't already put together!). I'm not sure if this tradition will continue-I guess it will be up to Alena and the twins.
6. Tour of Christmas Lights - We have "sort of" done this each year but it will be more fun when the kids are older. Alena and I will go out later this week in the evening for a tour of lights around our neighborhood. I think it would be fun to sip hot chocolate, but she doesn't like hot chocolate so I guess a little glass of juice will have to suffice.
7. Christmas Eve - Growing up, my family always went to church on Christmas Eve, watched the play of the birth of Jesus, and went to the Mandarin for dinner. My brother used to be horrified that we went out for dinner on Christmas Eve. When we first started this tradition, we were probably the only people at the Chinese restaurant. Wouldn't you know it, now a days, that place is hopping! I'd like to think people realized what a great idea it was and followed in our footprints. Who wants to make dinner Christmas Eve, when you will probably be making a big feast on Christmas Day? My brother still thinks it's crazy, but when he is back in Iowa, he can't deny enjoying his Mongolian Beef at the Mandarin. "Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra...Ra Ra Ra Ra"
8. Starting this year, I am going to allow each kid to open one present on Christmas Eve. This will include new jammies and a family movie we will all enjoy together before going to bed and preparing for Santa to come.
9. Preparing for Santa - Alena sets out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and water for his reindeer. I know some people who go a little overboard making it look like Santa came (sleigh tracks in the snow, reindeer "droppings", etc).
10. Wrapping Presents - I grew up with all of our presents wrapped, including those from Santa and stocking stuffers. Justin did too, so that is what we do. I do try and use special paper for Santa's gifts (ie paper with Santa on it). The REALLY big gifts won't get wrapped because let's be honest, that's a lot of work for Santa and a waste of paper in my mind.
As much as I love the holidays, I hate how fast they go by. Alena is going to be really sad when Christmas is over this year and I'm sure for the next 12 months, we will hear "when is it going to be Christmas again?"
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