The thing is...I don't really have any traditions. Besides
For Christmas, I'm thinking Christmas jammies for Christmas eve, some sort of treat for breakfast Christmas morning after gifts. Maybe a new ornament every year?
What holiday traditions do you have? For Christmas, or any holiday? I need inspiration.
55 comments:
Just curious...what kind of treat for breakfast? My son is also 10 mos old but I am so not adventurous with food, need ideas! Got him the Christmas jammies. The ornament is a good idea!! I want to make the holidays magical for him every year. BTW, Olivia is ADORABLE.
We do new ornaments each year. Didn't start leaving cookies for Santa until our oldest was 2 or 3 and able to understand it all. Other than that we don't have too many traditions.
I always got an ornament every year from my fam, and while I probably thought it was a bit dorky when I was 10+, while I was a kid I loved opening them on Christmas eve. And I have to say, now as an adult, I LOVE them. My mom gave them to me the year I got married. They hang on my tree and remind me of each year as I hang them. I hope to share the same tradition with my children some day!
PJ's and a book christmas eve!
I always got new holiday pajamas on Christmas Eve. I loved it! For me it was an excuse to be allowed to open a gift one day early. For my parents they got to pick out something festive for me to wear Christmas morning, since kids and Christmas means lots of photo ops!
I've been hearing wonderful things about "Elf on the Shelf" too. Olivia's a little young to "get it" this year, but that's no reason not to do it anyway. My dad even bought one...why I don't know. His kids are in their 30s now. Haha! But he loves it!
Have fun starting a new tradition with your little one!
Our traditions start out with the tree. We go to a tree farm to select and cut down our own. The farm has a petting zoo and hay ride for the kids as well.
Christmas jammies are a must (they are just SO cute). We are also going to be getting Lexi an ornament every year to signify that year in her life. We also listen to carols while decorating the tree.
Ornaments every year are great. We have always given an ornament that reflects something from the year (cheerleading one year and she is getting an Alice in Wonderland this year because she was Alice in her summer play).
However...
my neighbors give their children one silver bell each year. The bells come from Reed and Barton and are silver plated (not the full silver ones) and they have the year engraved on them. The idea is that the kids will have a couple dozen bells to trim their Christmas tree when they start their own family. I think that this is a super-fabulous idea... and way better than a soccer player or a train. So, it's just a thought.
My husband's family gives us a new Hallmark series ornament each year. My husband's series is on #29, starting in 1980. Since I'm new-ish to the family, mine started three years ago. I don't know if there is a new series this year, but if so, you can bet Charlotte will be getting her first!
I love the idea of Christmas jammies, and have been wanting to start that now that we have a baby.
I guess I don't really have much to add...
Sounds like the traditions I had when I was little. We always got new jammies and opened them Christmas eve before settling in to read "The Night Before Christmas" by the light of the tree. We made cupcakes Christmas eve day and had those for breakfast. (Years later I realized they were actually blueberry muffins with frosting... how odd.) My mom and dad each picked out a Hallmark ornament for us each year. Not necessarily the "daughter" ones but ones that went with something I did that year. Ummm... we watch Muppet Christmas Carol while decorating the tree. Hmmm that's all I got!
Sounds like the traditions I had when I was little. We always got new jammies and opened them Christmas eve before settling in to read "The Night Before Christmas" by the light of the tree. We made cupcakes Christmas eve day and had those for breakfast. (Years later I realized they were actually blueberry muffins with frosting... how odd.) My mom and dad each picked out a Hallmark ornament for us each year. Not necessarily the "daughter" ones but ones that went with something I did that year. Ummm... we watch Muppet Christmas Carol while decorating the tree. Hmmm that's all I got!
We do the Christmas Eve pj's and the new ornament every year. The ornament is always hanging out of the top of the stocking Christmas morning, courtesy of Santa.
I was always appreciative of the fact that we never had to eat breakfast before opening gifts...but we were forbidden to go into the living room/or get up before 6:00.
The last few years we have made a tradition out of refusing to drive all over to different relatives houses on Christmas Day. We stay home, and anyone who cares to see us is welcome to come, but it got to the point where we opened gifts and then flew out the door. NO FUN.
Since Christmas day gets turned into a big extended family thing in my fam, we would have a big Christmas Eve breakfast, just my immediate family. I'm trying to bring that one back.
If I celebrated Christmas, I would definitely do special ornaments each year. But we're Jewish and no Hanukkah bush here so...
Baking is big. Cookies or whatever other special winter treats. And presents of course :) We also take drives to look at people's xmas lights.
Christmas jammies for sure.
Our family makes homemade cinnamon rice pudding (oven baked) and we eat it Christmas morning after opening presents. I guess you have to like rice pudding for that to work, but Oliva could probably eat some this year...
We also ALWAYS set out a little plate of carrots for the reindeer Christmas Eve (my dad loves carrots and would eat them after we went to bed) and a specially made cookie for Santa. See, Jen, then YOU get a treat, too :-)
We did not have a fireplace when I was little for Santa to come down so we would worry - but my Dad came up with hanging a candy cane on the doorknob of the front door - he told us only Santa could use it as a key to get in the house while we slept...a lie, but a cute one that I still love.
That's all I got.
My family still does the ornament every year and Christmas eve pjs...they're my favorite holiday traditions!
Sorry would be nice if I spelled your baybee's name right. OLIVIA. Sorry.
Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas on Christmas Eve. For me, nothing else gets me in the mood for Christmas like that book. Sniff.
love the jammies and a new ornament each year. that way when she moves out (yes *big tear) she will already have some things to put on her tree. once we got older, my mom started taking us to see the nutcracker ballet (just us girls) and next year maria and sophia will get to go (my last post was actually about it). afa breakfast, i always make this awesome baked french toast that doesnt need syrup (it's easy!) and it has diced apples on top. if you want the recipe message me :D
We had some strange ones I won't repeat, so, here's the nice ones:
-Christmas eve church service
-A small (half-size?) stocking was hung on one of my bedposts and filled overnight by Santa (aka: my dad) with a small toy or game which would keep me occupied and mostly quiet until everyone else was up and ready for the main event. He did that every year until I got married. How awesome is that?
Along with Christmas eve Jammies, and a new ornament each year - we always split Christmas morning up. What would happen is that we would be allowed to open our Santa gifts and stocking as soon as everyone was awake. Then after those were opened - we'd eat a breakfast, usually of stuffed french toast and sausage or bacon. After breakfast we'd hit up the rest of the presents. Also, only one person at a time is allowed to open a gift. That way everyone can see it - and it extends the morning you've been waiting a year for. Instead of going hog wild and having everything over in about three and a half minutes. "Savoring" Christmas is what my mom called it.
Every Christmas Eve "SANTA" would hide the pickle ornament (yes, a pickle) somewhere in the Christmas Tree and on Christmas morning we would all try to find it. Whoever found the ornament won a special present. Since I was an only child until I was 9, I was also the winner every year for oh, I don't know, 9 years ;-)
As you know, Oscar and Olivia are the same age, so I am contemplating this as well, especially since the only tradition I have right now is that I curl into a ball around December 1st and weep non-stop with anxiety until January 2nd. Not a healthy tradition.
I love the Christmas jammies idea! We have some for Oscar that are the bomb.
I also like making cookies and singing songs. It keeps me away from the hard liquor.
Our Christmas tradition was watching my dad drink the "holiday highball." He wasn't much of a drinker, but apparently needed fortification to get through Christmas...or maybe it was just a tradition. I think I'll adopt it this year!
We are going to get an ornament for our 8.5 month old each year. This year, we have two for her. One is from a local Christmas market that is painted with her name, a picture of a rattle, and 1st Christmas. The other one we made at a paint-your-own pottery place. It has her handprint on one side and footprint on the other.
I started the jammies thing last year and plan to continue this year with Miles. Breakfast treats are a good one. Have to remember that. I also bought him his 1st Hallmark ornament and plan to continue that also.
Funny - I posted all my Christmas Traditions today. Go check 'em out - with pics even!
Growing up we would go to Peddler's Village in PA every year for a big Christmas dinner (normally the week before Christmas) and to Pine Wreath and Candle to pick out an ornament that symbolized the year. Even though we can't get to the village, my new little family picks out an ornament. We also hide a pickle ornament! And of course, a big brunch on Christmas morning, and mass Christmas Eve. So, yeah, I guess I didn't add much to the conversation, but I'm sure gonna steal a lot! (Candy Cane Key! Stocking in the bedroom! Pajamas! Awesome stuff!)
I'm in college and I still get new pajamas to wear to bed Christmas Eve. Everyone gets a new set, Dad, Stepmom, all the girls (my twin and our two stepsisters). I adore this tradition, and I definitely plan on carrying it on.
The only tradition we have so far (this is my son's second Christmas) is traumatizing him by sitting him on the lap of a fat bearded stranger dressed in a big red suit. Oh, and taking a picture of it. Which is promptly sent to all relatives.
Hopefully I can come up with something else before the kid actually develops a long-term memory.
We go to the mountains to a tree farm and pick out our own tree. Then we stop in a little picturesque town nearby and have hot cocoa and window shop.
I'm thinking I'm going to do the ornament thing for Sebastian.
We go to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree, browse their shop and drink hot chocolate.
We usually get a tag from the Angel Tree and buy gifts for that child but this year we are buying gifts for my neighbors and their 4 kids because they are totally broke right now and the sweetest people you will ever meet.
On Christmas Eve, we carry on my husband's family tradition of having Clam Chowder, rolls and exotic fruits for dinner. We open one present of our choice after dinner.
This is our first Christmas with our little one, but in the past we usually donned our bathrobes while opening gifts and either ate at our house or visited family. I need to pick up a bathrobe for Kasen to wear still though!
We are doing the ornament thing - got his first one ready to go. I think I'll wrap it though and put it in his stocking instead of just hanging it right away.
I'm totally stealing some ideas on here: the pickle ornament, opening only one present at a time and a stocking in his room (when he's older, obviously) to keep him occupied until we're all up! Brilliant ideas! I love the candy cane key idea too, but we have a chimney and fireplace so have no need for that one!
Most of our traditions have already been listed, but I'll list them again because they are good ones!
*Pickle Present
*Christmas Eve Pjs, a new book and new Ornament
*Banana Fritters for Brunch
LOVE it!
When we have kids, I plan on doing:
Christmas PJs and reading Twas the Night Before Christmas, an ornament each year (to be found on the tree Christmas morning), and special Christmas breakfast together
Oh - I almost forgot our most sacred Christmas tradition! We always watch The X-Files episode "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas."
:)
Great traditions you have planned! A friend of mine is from Poland and she said that it is common (on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day) to set an extra empty place setting at the table for the "guest of honor"...symbolic for Jesus' presence at their meal. I always thought that sounded nice and would like to adopt that in the future. (a nice idea if you want to incorporate a religious spin).
we do hand print santas that i have laminated as ornaments to hang on the tree. its a great way to track thier growth :)
we make cookies for santa on christmas eve.. christmas jammies of course! and we always watch lots of Christmas movies!
ps. link for handprint santa
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/mhand-santa.htm
oh also.. when it came time to give up the bottle or the paci.. we gave them to santa to pass on to new babies :) we left them under the tree for him to take :)
oh also.. when it came time to give up the bottle or the paci.. we gave them to santa to pass on to new babies :) we left them under the tree for him to take :)
i am incredibly unoriginal BUT
we will probably do xmas jammies for xmas eve (even though i gave them her already... and she wore them last weekend...)
and reading the night before christmas together.
and a treat in the am - we have always done this, frenchtoast casserole and cinammon roles it is around these parts!
This was a tradition my parents did for me and my siblings and I intend to do this with my own daughter...when she's born of course :-)
Starting the second week of December, the "Elf Box" comes out...it is a little homemade mail box that sits on the floor in the hallway. During the days leading up to Christmas, Santa's elves come check on the little ones. If the kids are being good, the elves leave a little wrapped gift for each kid (a pack of gum, dollar store toy, colouring book etc).
It was an awesome way to keep us four kids in line...if a day went by without a treat, you can bet we behaved ourselves the next day!
I LOVE your blog, btw...wickedly funny!
I love love traditions, so have looked forward to starting them with my family. Especially now that I get to after years of IF LOL. We do Christmas jammies but they come from the elves and involve lighting - the pjs are left on the bed surrounded by christmas lights. That started because one year we were at my Moms and my then 3 year old was assigned a sleeping bag in my Mom's studio instead of a bed, so I surrounded her sleeping bag with twinkling lights and she thought it was, like, seriously awesome. Now the two of them get it in one pile. We live in DC, so our Christmas Eve tradition has been to go to a restaurant downtown (the same one) and then walk over to see the National Christmas tree and all the trains. On Christmas morning, I make an egg casserole, homemade cinnamon rolls, and pancakes (the casserole is for me the rest of my family is fine with plain old pancakes). Since my oldest was born we have gone to lunch then picked up an ornament at a local Christmas Store. We do the one present at a time thing too. Except for last year. A banner year in our house when my oldest woke our youngest up (they were then 7 and 2) and opened every present under the tree and woke us only for because they were getting hungry. This year they have been warned that Mommy and Daddy must be up!
When we were a bit older we would all pile into the car and drive around looking at Christmas lights. We would each get to guess how many we would see, have clear definitions of what are Christmas lights (sorry single little candle in the windows!), and then count them up to see who was the winner.
We get underwear in our stockings, sure to make them roll their eyes when they are older.
My parents come over and spend Christmas morning/day with us, just as my grandma used to come over when we were kids.
I try to buy an ornament every year but I won't lie, sometimes I forget or just can't find one I like.
I plan on buying Cleitus (due in May) a new Christmas book every year, starting this year. We'll read it together as a family. I have yet to run the idea of reading a cheesy book to our unborn child on Christmas Eve by my husband...
My favorite Christmas traditions -
Advent calendar - I plan on doing this for my baby next year, except using little toys instead of a chocolate per day.
Watching 'A Christmas Story' with the family
Getting the family together to decorate the tree, whoever wanted to come just showed up
Getting pajamas for Christmas morning and wearing them all day (I did this well into my teens)
Spending Christmas Eve with one set of grandparents and singing Christmas carols and drinking hot chocolate
Spending Christmas day with the other grandparents and going sledding if it wasn't too cold (after presents of course)
Grandma makes these little biscuit things as a Christmas treat. Bisquick biscuits with cherry pie filling and icing drizzled on the top *drool* Easy to make, and festive looking-ish
Also, my parents mixed it up. Sometimes we were allowed to open our gifts on Christmas Eve, and sometimes we had to wait until Christmas morning.
The stockings were often forgotten until late on Christmas, or sometimes even Boxing day. It was nice to have one more treat late after a busy day.
I got my daughter the "Elf on the Shelf" too. It'r really cute and hopefully gets them to behave. Olivia will totally get it next year.
She's probably a little too young for some traditions but here are a few that I've started or am starting with my kids:
New Ornament every year which I will give them when they move out and have their own tree
Reading Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve
Christmas Jammies
Decorating a gingerbread house
Making and decorating sugar cookies
Santa Photos (hopefully Olivia will continue to be fearless next year, my daughter was fine her first year but the last two she's been terrified)
We have pie for breakfast on Thanksgiving. On Christmas Eve we go out to a Japanese steakhouse; when we hand out presents, we have a person wear a Santa hat and that is the person who hands out the gifts. We watch holiday programs. We have personal ornaments.
So far we got the twins ornaments, Christmas jammies, and are changing up our Christmas Day tradition from driving out to see the fam, to seeing them Christmas Eve so we can stay home Christmas Day and hang out with the babies. This year they won't notice much, but when they are old enough to be excited about opening their gifts, they will appreciate the fact that we won't make them put their stuff in their room and get ready to go to "grandmas" or wherever and not get to stay in their jammies, eat, and play with their new toys!
It's always freaking hot here in Australia for Christmas, so we try to get wet one way or another. Sorry, that probably doesn't help you up there.
Here are the traditions we have begun with our grandchildren, they can be transferred to mom and dad traditions easily.
We take our granddaughters to a Christmas Shoppe and they get to pick out one ornament that they take home to put on their tree and one they put on Nana & Papa's tree.
Each year I've also purchased ornaments that you can put a photo in. Every year I hang them all on the tree and the girls get a kick out of seeing themselves as babies.
They have stockings here at our house as well. They're not your normal sized ones, they're on the small side. We put small things in them now. The idea being when they get older we can put gift cards in them. My in laws did this for our kids and they loved it. They'd get DQ cards, McD's, Wendys, BK, etc. They still get GC for places now but they're more like movie theatre GCs, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Gasoline, Blockbuster etc.
We've also bought them Christmas themed jammies to wear at home Christmas Eve. Their present opening photos look so cute with them all decked out in their pjs. I've informed the daughter in laws that I'm passing the torch on that one next year. I think them opening them Xmas eve at home before bed would be more fun for them.
When my kids were little we always read them the Night Before Christmas book, when they got older they would always watch some Christmas themed before bed.
We also had a special plate and mug for Santa's cookies. I bought one for each of my granddaughters last yr. at the after Christmas sales so they'll have one at their homes. We'd put a few homebaked cookies on the plate, a couple of carrots for the reindeer and a mug of milk. Just don't forget to eat a cookie or two and drink half the milk :)
When my kids were real little and we had snow on the ground we'd always go out and sprinkle a bit of what we called Reindeer Dust. It was a mixture of oatmeal and glitter. My husband would also make marks in the snow in effort to make them look like reindeer tracks. My son does this for his daughter even if there is no snow. Obviously there are no markings on the ground but my granddaughter gets a kick out of seeing the trail the reindeer leave behind :)
Mass on Xmas eve was a must. No getting out of bed before 6 a.m. No going downstairs until we were all up, teeth brushed and went down together. Pillsbury makes delicious Orange Rolls that my kids loved. So Xmas morning breakfast was Orange Rolls, hot chocolate and some type of fresh bagels and muffins.
When they were real little rushing to go to Grandmas right after opening gifts got to be a PITA. So we set aside time for my parents and in laws to come see us Xmas afternoon or evening. I can't say they always were happy having to come to our place but I didn't think it was fair to drag my kids out of their house away from their new stuff. Now that I'm a grandparent I work with my sons and their wives to pick a time on either the 24th or 26th to either come to us or we'll go them. It's worked out great so far. If we go there we help with preparing a meal. If they come here they also contribute to dinner.
Do what makes you and your husband feel like you're giving Olivia the best memories possible.
Happy Holidays!
There's always the old gift on xmas eve...but I think that's what you were alluding to with the jammies. We always have Cinnamon rolls for breakfast. That's all I got.
I got a pair of jammies for Natalie that say My First Christmas that she'll wear to bed Christmas Eve - I'm just hoping her diaper doesn't leak that night or my photo ops for Christmas Day won't be as cute. LOL. I also got her an ornament with the year and plan to add to her collection and give them to her when she has her own tree some day. When she's a couple years older I would love to do the Elf on a Shelf thing, too cute!
Make sure your Christmas tradition includes a little Clark W. Griswold!!
Last year was Biscuit's first Christmas and I wish I'd gotten a picture with Santa because I'm going to this year and I have a feeling he'll be a little screamy beast. Maybe not though. We do the pajamas on Christmas Eve thing and we even set out (and my fat ass ate) cookies and milk for Santa. When he's a bit older I'll probably do some kind of advent calendar to count down the days and I think this year I'll help him put out some food for the reindeer- oatmeal and glitter. He also has two ornaments for his first Christmas and we'll probably keep that up too.
I always got to open one present on Christmas Eve. I thought that was pretty special, being that I am and always was, impatient. :)
LOVE the jammies idea!
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