Christmas Traditions

This is year was a my little mans first visit with Santa. He did so well, and was pretty interested in him too. Now that he is here it has made me think of all the holiday traditions we had as kids that I want to share with him. Whether it be tons of gifts or decorating we want to make the most magical memories possible.

So here is my holiday tradition list!

1. We believe in Santa. Every year we counted down to his visit and could barely sleep on Christmas eve from the excitement of what would take place the next day.

2. Stockings. Our stockings were always packed with a mixture of toys and goodies. We also opened them first. Pulling out a few things on top and then eventually pouring them out on the floor.

3. Taking Pictures. My parents used to film us on Christmas morning, but it was very frustrating for us kids. We had to behave and sit still and the camera took forever to set up. Then later we got in trouble if we acted bad when we opened a gift, like if we didn't like it. So my family tradition is pictures only. Catch some special minutes on film, and then lots of pictures to remember the day.

4. Going to get our picture taken with Santa. It is super fun and special to get to visit Santa, sit on his lap, and tell him what you want for Christmas. 

5. Writing letters to Santa. I loved to write him a letter and usually draw him a picture too to send to him with my Christmas list.

6. Leaving Milk and cookies for Santa. We also would leave some carrots for his reindeer, since they work so hard. It was always a warm feeling to find in the morning that he ate the cookies, and some times would leave a little thank you note too.

7.Getting a new ornament every year. Every family member gets their own special ornament each year to decorate the tree with.

8.Sledding! I can't remember a year where we didn't go sledding. Outside for hours, only to come in and have hot chocolate. Pealing off out snow pants and jackets, tossing our boots by the door. The joy of not being able to feel our fingers and toes.

9. Baking Christmas cookies and hardtack candy. My mom always made home made hard tack handy in many flavors, and we loved it. Then we always made cookies and decorated them with sprinkles and colored sugar. It was so much fun.

10. Opening presents from friends and family on Christmas Eve. This was so much fun, because it basically split up gifts into two days. Making it twice the fun.

11. Hanging Lights. Now we didn't hang them as kids, but our parents did, and it made the night time magical. I loved it when they were done and we could turn on the lights for the first time. Then we would drive around and look at all the neighbors who did it too!

12. Singing! We would wake up to our mom blaring Christmas music on the stereo. It was so much fun to dance around the house singing songs about the holiday.

13. Our NEW tradition is going to be Elf in the shelf. I think we will have so much fun with this little guy in the years to come.

14. Cards. We love to send out cards each year to all our friends.

  

I am sure there are more, and we will make many more. But here are mine now!