When I became a Mom I decided that I wanted to create meaningful Christmas traditions for Peyton. My husband and I sat down and brainstormed ideas and he wasn't really a lot of help (bless his heart). So instead I turned to my experiences, girlfriends and other resources. When I was waiting for Peyton to come home my girlfriend Brandi and I had a lot of free time on our hands. We spent countless hours on the phone talking and it is funny that planning our kids Christmas traditions is what helped get us through the adoption process. I think because we couldn't control our process we looked to what we could control in the future and that was the traditions we would create.
So I have many traditions that I created. Not 1 was good enough 🙂
One that I wanted to share with you is the tradition with our Christmas books. I collected 24 Christmas books and I wrap them each year. From December 1 - December 24th Peyton opens 1 of the books and we read it together before bed. Then the book is placed into a basket and it can be read as often as he wants throughout the holidays. We start our Tradition on December and end on December 24th (with 'Twas the Night Before Christmas). It is a tradition that he loves and looks forward too! On December 31st after he goes to bed the books are removed and placed away for safe keeping until the next year. This is what keeps them special. They are only out for the month of December. As he grows I have replaced some of the titles and will continue to do so but for the most part the investment is a one time investment. I picked most up after Christmas at 50-90% off or at consignment stores.
Another tradition is that we purchase 1 Christmas ornament for Peyton every year that is something that he is really "into". The majority of the ornaments are Hallmark but they vary from year to year. We date the box or bottom of the ornament if it is not dated and when is ready to move (snif, snif) into his own home we will give those to him.
Two additional traditions that we do as a family is that we make a Frugal Gingerbread House together as a family every year. It is so much fun and something we all look forward too! We also make Reindeer Food and put it out on Christmas Eve.
Do you have a meaningful Christmas Tradition?
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Melissa is a soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 22 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
Nancy
Great ideas. I use to read Twas The Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve to my kids. Sadly we havn't done that in a while because they are now 16 and 20. We still have the book so maybe I should surprise them this year and bring it out. We have collected ornaments for them every year and it's our tradition to drink egg nog and listen to Christmas music while we decorate the tree. My hubby and son like to try to guess what years the ornaments are from then look to see if they are right. My hubby has ornaments he got growing up dating back to 68 when he was born. Since everyone is bringing back the ugly Christmas sweaters I was thinking about making some for all of us so we all can wear them together on Christmas day. If I can get it done before then I think that just might become a new tradition at my house.
Nancy
Something I forgot to add. Melissa one year I bought unfinished ornaments from Michaels along with paints and we all sat down together and made our own. That was fun.
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
I need to get that book! I have heard of it but we don't have it 🙂 I sure love painting ornaments too. I need to buy some this year 🙂 With a coupon of course... 🙂