Christmas Traditions

I read a lot of blogs and articles about Christmas traditions.  It got me thinking that maybe we don't do enough and I should go ahead and start some.  Of course, I never made a list and December came and Christmas has come and gone.  But as we experienced Christmas I realized we do have our traditions and we are starting new ones with Anderson...some started last year, some this year and of course, next year (as A gets older and understands more) we will add more.  What I definitely need more of is time!!  So I will have to work on that next year!

1.  We always put up our tree and decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving!  That way we can enjoy the tree all season long.  Alex does a great job decorating the outside.  This year we got a big blow up Santa!  A loved it! 

2.  Alex makes an elaborate village, nativity seen under the train.  At first I didn't care for it.  I still think it takes up too much room in our small living room...but Alex likes to do it and I love how he gets really into it.  He's hoping to have A help him as he gets older.  I was amazed that A never touched one item in the whole scene.  Not even one animal  (A loves animals). 

3.  Reading Christmas Story books to A.  I read one every night of Advent.  We did mostly the story of Jesus' birth story and St. Nicholas...but there were a few Santa stories too. 

4.  An ornament of A (and any future kids).  We got him his "first Christmas" ornament last year (one of 5) and this year I got him Santa's prayer.  I wanted to get something that reminded us all that Jesus is the reason for the season...not Santa.  I love Santa and we are a Santa home, but we also know that Jesus is most important.  There are so many TV shows and books and Santa influence out there, that it is easy to overlook  Jesus.  I would like to have a blow up nativity scene...to go along with our Santa. 

5.  New for this year was an Advent Calendar - Countdown to Christmas.  It was fun making time each night to look at the countdown, have a bit of chocolate and read a story and take a picture.  I wanted to make an advent calendar.  There are about a 100 ideas on pintrest.  Ultimately I ran out of time and bought a calendar for $1 at Trader Joes.  Best $1 I spent this whole season!! A loved it!  He got hooked on sitting at the couch and watching Santa (outside via the window) and reading books.  He only got into the chocolates half way through the month and some days he didn't even want the chocolate...so it wasn't the chocolate that got him hooked.  We also have a snowman with two dice, we also counted down to Christmas with the Snowman.  Fun times.  A would send kisses to the angel on the tree and admire the nativity scene - especially baby Jesus!  He never touched a thing!  He is still sound averse and we put a train under the train, going through the winter scene under the tree.  A is so afraid of the train that we wouldn't go near the nativity scene or the winter scene! 

6.  Pictures with Santa.  Last year A was a baby and happily went with anyone including Santa.  This year, NO way.  He was screaming in his picture! 

7.  Singing Christmas songs.  We didn't do it nearly enough, but A loved it when we did.  We will have to get some better music for next year. 

8.  Christmas Eve service.  We have gone ever year since Alex moved to the states and we went last year with A.  This year got interrupted with a trip to the emergency room.  Ugh. 

9.  Annual picture taking for the Christmas Card.  Last year was so much fun with a stationary baby.  This year?  A bit more difficult with an active 18 month old.  I loved how my cards turned out!  In future years, I may have to hire a professional to take some photos.  We will see. 

10.  Annual Tia's Christmas brunch on Christmas Eve.  My friends are wonderful.  We love getting together and celebrating the season.  We normally have brunch and then the kids open presents.   The kids have a blast and the tias have fun.

11.  Go driving through the neighborhood to see the lights on people's home.  A and I did this with the stroller since he can't really see out the window of the car.  A seemed to really like it.  We did a long walk and he stayed awake the entire time. 

12.  Making cookies for Santa!!  We never got to it this year.  I made them on Christmas day (after Santa came). 

13.  We have not done this yet...but I have everything  i need....starting this New Year's Eve we are planning to get hand prints of A on a table cloth.  Through the years we can see the change!  Love the idea. 

14.  We need a better tradition for Christmas Eve meal.  Christmas Day is always the traditional cod and polvo meal my mom makes every year.  Yummy.  Since we normally work on Christmas Eve (although I have been taking it off to wrap and run around like a mad woman) - I would like our meal to be simple.  Take out may be the answer.  We will have to fine tune this next year. 

15.  Hallmark Christmas movies.  I watch them by myself and I cry.  I love them.  I normally sip hot cocoa and curl up on the couch.  This year I was wrapping. (We also watch other Christmas movies/shows, like Rudolph, National Lampoon Christmas Vacation!, It's a Wonderful Life, Frosty, etc).  This year we didn't see too many, just Chevy Chase' Christmas Vacation and Kris Kringle...

I guess I will stop here...
This list is a lot more than what I thought!!