What are your Christmas traditions?
Traditions change over the years. I know that almost sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it?
Growing up, you have the traditions of your parents. Then when you move out on your own, they change some. When I got married, they changed again, because my husband and I started our own traditions. Then when we had our daughter, they changed again. We all have our Christmas traditions…even if you always do something different every year. If there’s consistency in that, then well, I guess that’d be a tradition too.
We open gifts on Christmas morning. My daughter really loves tradition. And I mean really. So once when I suggested that we might open our gifts on Christmas Eve and just do stockings on Christmas morning, she looked at me like I’d lost my mind. My husband joined her. I was informed by both of them, “It’s tradition to open gifts on Christmas morning.” That was the end of it. I was outvoted 2 to 1. =)
We don’t do Santa, but we still stuff stockings and we have a lot of fun finding little things to tuck into them. I shared in an earlier post of how it’s tradition for my hubby and daughter to pick out a Hallmark ornament to give to me. That’s been a very sweet and precious tradition in our family. It always makes me feel special.
We have a lot of fun putting up the tree, driving around looking at Christmas lights, shopping for gifts, and stuffing stockings. But we never lose sight that Jesus is the reason for the season–the greatest gift and true celebration of Christmas.
I’ve tucked away three very special advent story books that we’ve used with our daughter over the years. I plan on giving them to her someday when she has a family. There are those special ornaments as well. There’s even one silken-haired angel that was passed down to me from my mom (there was enough for each of my siblings to have one). I remember looking at it with awe as we gently unpacked them to hang on our tree as I was growing up. Now I have one to hang on our tree. My daughter will get that ornament someday to hang on her own family tree.
Traditions. Precious and meaningful. They’re different for everyone, but I think the uniqueness and memories are what make them so special. So whatever your traditions are, may they bring you much joy this Christmas season. I’d love to hear what some of your Christmas traditions are.
I hope your Christmas was merry and bright! Best wishes for a prosperous and happy new year!
Susan Hollaway
The last two years our family has started the tradition of going to Silver Dollar City for a couple of days. We love the lights and all the fun Christmas themed stuff. Our goal is to try to do it every year.
Larry, That’s awesome! I’d always wanted to do that and last year, we were able to visit Silver Dollar City the day after Thanksgiving. It was really beautiful. Thanks for sharing your new tradition with us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Yes, we have lots of traditions too–many of them are subject to change at a moment’s notice!! You just can’t seem to fit everything in anymore either.
One thing we did when our children were small was to fill their stockings early so that each morning for at least a week they could take one gift out to open……made the excitement last a lot longer. Another special thng we have is our own little red haired angel that sits atop our tree. Our youngest daughter made it one year–stuffed a little cotton body, sewed a lacy dress with lacy ruffles and lacy wings. But the thing I love most is that she used her own hair to glue on the angels head!!!! She has the most beautiful shade of red hair I’ve ever seen (of course, I’d say that!!). It grows very quickly and is thick…..anyway, she took it small bunch by small bunch and curled it and glued it on the head….I LOVE it!!! I’ve offered it to her for use in her own home but I think she knows how much I love it, so graciously said I could keep on using it. SOMEDAY it will be hers. 
Jeanie, I love hearing about your traditions. How sweet! The angel is precious, I’m sure. I also love the idea of doing the one gift in the stocking day by day early to make it last longer. I might steal that idea, if you don’t mind. Sort of a whole new spin to the season of Advent. Thanks for sharing!
Even ordinary things become special when they’re holiday traditions!
Yep, Susie M. It’s been fun reading about traditions.