I think doing this is starting to slowly get me a bit more in the Christmas spirit. Took sometime this morning to finally make a list so I could see what I needed to do. Helped a lot. Sometimes, I think I need to do so many things and the truth is I don’t.
My current mood:
Can’t believe I forgot to include that song on my favorites list!
Onto the topic of the day.
Favorite Family Traditions
Pretty much an evolving category for us as our boys are now older and our families look different than just a few short years ago.
In Our Personal Family: Christmas Eve Pajamas and a Book
Stole this idea from somewhere when the boys were very young. Had visions of them wearing the pajamas and picture perfect Christmas morning photos. Reality: They didn’t always wear the pajamas so our photos weren’t always so “perfectly perfect” (to quote Mr. Mooseltoe).
The books were usually a big hit with the occasional miss (middle school years are tough!). Originally, I always did Christmas books but in the last few years, I’ve just picked books I knew they’d enjoy. Reminds me I need to get a book suggestion or two from G.
One unexpected bonus of this tradition: When they were younger and not excited for clothes, the Christmas Eve presents proved a good opportunity to practice saying “thank you” no matter what was inside the gift. Ha.
Old Tradition/New Tradition (I hope)
My in-laws used to always have a Christmas Eve party. Basically, we just went over there and ate snacks/appetizer foods/drank perhaps some slushy wine and hung out a bit. My husband’s family is not large so think more like maybe 6 people and 3 kids plus a few extended relatives. Their neighbors would also usually just stop by. This was more when the boys were a bit younger and our family from Oklahoma would sometimes come up for Christmas.
My FIL/new wife tried to carry on the tradition but honestly it just wasn’t the same without the warmth of my late MIL. And since the kids were older, it sort of fell to the side. I’m not sure if they still do this but we haven’t been over there on a Christmas Eve in many years.
However, for the 2nd year in a row now, the band J performs in with his brass instructor (they mainly play at the church) is going to play the accompaniment to the hymns at the candlelight Christmas Eve service. I loved going last year and am excited we get to do this again. Certainly, hoping this becomes a new family tradition.
If you’re wondering about my side of the family, with so many of us, Christmas Eve kind of became the day/night everyone did stuff with their in-laws so that’s why we don’t really do anything with my side around Christmas Eve.
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So not a lot of family traditions at the moment besides the pajamas, books, and church. As I said, a lot of our traditions are evolving as the boys are now young adults. One tradition I’m not so sad to let go is the tradition of my oldest getting up around 4 or 5 in the morning each Christmas! Of course, now I wake up at that time so maybe I wouldn’t mind it so much now.
What are some of your favorite family traditions?
Don’t forget to go visit Tamy over at Chasing My Life, the host of Blogmas.