Well it’s Christmas Eve! I just wanted to take a moment and write down some things I’m thankful for! I’m so thankful for the amazing clients I have had the opportunity to work with throughout this past year. I’m thankful that Nathan is able to be home with us this year and that we’re together as a family. I’m thankful for the job he has that allows me to pursue my dreams. I’m thankful for the health and safety of my three little boys! I’m thankful for the relationship I have with my parents. And I’m thankful for my faith in Christ and the hope and peace this brings to me even during difficult times.
I’ve been reading a lot of blogs that my friends write and they’ve been talking about traditions in their family, so its got me thinking about the traditions we’re instilling in our own children, the memories we’re creating for them to remember when they are older. I have to admit that a lot of “our” traditions are actually MY traditions from when I was growing up…..sorry Nate! If you’d like to insert some of your own just let me know
But I wanted to share with you some of our family Christmas traditions, some old and some brand new this year thanks to some amazing friends!
First off, we do a Christmas Eve buffet party! My mom did this every year, sometimes we had friends over, sometimes it was just our family, but it still was the same every year. Our twist on it is that we watch a Christmas movie. So we had the spread in the kitchen, served up our plates and then the whole family watched That Santa Clause, and Then Santa Clause 2. We had cheese, crackers, Nathan’s special popcorn balls, rice krispy treats, taquitos, pizza rolls, olives, pickels and some special sherbert punch. These past few years it’s been so nice not to have to work on Christmas Eve (as I did in retail for so long) and not be rushing around finishing up shopping. It’s nice to just sit at home and spend time with family. Here’s some pics of the feast……
ummm, my kids can eat a whole can of olives and pickels if I didn’t stop them. They LOVE them!
Next we opened 1 present from the “Elves” They brought each person in our family a special gift to open on Christmas Eve and it was jammies! Kasen went crazy for his feetsy snowman jammies, and couldn’t stop talking about them all night. Don’t worry! you’ll see the cute things in the morning! That was a new tradition this year. My kids ask to open presents on Christmas Eve every year, so it will be jammies every year. We’ll see how long it takes them to catch on that that’s all they get to open I give it one more year…..
Another new tradition this year is our Santa Key. This is the one I’m most excited about and think it’s the coolest thing EVER! My friend Brittney makes these awesome things so if you want one for next year, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll hook you up with her. Anyway, we moved this year and no longer have a fireplace in our home. All year the kids have been asking how Santa will come in to bring their presents. Enter Brittney and her “Santa Key”. It is an old skeleton key from England that comes in a little box and a golden cord to hang on your door. This is a magical key and Santa will be able to get into your home with it! It has a little saying to leave out with your milk and cookies. The kids went crazy over it!
Next the milk and cookies! My mom gave us this cup and plate set, especially for Christmas time and Santa and every year I bring it out the kids get so excited! Santa always leaves us a thank you note and a few crumbs to let us know he’s been here.
Lastly my two oldest, and next year maybe all three, sleep in the same room. I don’t tell them they have to go to sleep right away, just that they have to stay in their room so Santa can come. I did this with my sisters growing up and we’d stay up half the night trying to hear Santa coming. In the morning we’d call our parents, line up and then walk into Christmas morning. My kids do this now, and tonight as I was listening to them giggle and shush each other, I smiled and love that a little bit of my childhood is being passed to my own children!
So that’s about it. We still do the normal stuff. I like my children to have fun on Christmas but we also talk about our belief in the true meaning of Christmas and that is to celebrate our Savior’s birth. They even know that our gift giving represents the three Wise Men and their gifts to the baby Jesus. I think it’s still important to remember the true meaning of our celebration as well as the fun side too! I’d love to hear your traditions! Feel free to leave a comment with what you do on Christmas or other holidays you celebrate!!
by Katie
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