Creating Traditions
December 3, 2015 at 5:34 AM 6 comments
Jingle bells, a little red nose and an elf named “goofball.” The girls don’t fully understand Christmas. But, they can feel something in the air and they like it.
Graham and I are at the helm of creating our own little family traditions: fun games, silly moments, special deliveries, all that may one day be passed on to our grandchildren and beyond.
We have woven together each other’s traditions from our individual upbringings and it’s now time to sprinkle in our own unique creations.
Enter the new twist on the advent calendar.
I swiped the idea from the ever inspiring Reading My Tea Leaves blog. The idea? Simply think of 24 activities you’d like to do as a family – from simple to adventurous – write them down on cards, slip the cards into 24 envelopes and open an envelope a day.
The girls are still too young to fully understand but within a few years, I hope this is a tradition that they love. Tomorrow’s card is to drink a hot chocolate so I have a feeling this could be a tradition that actually sticks around.
This mornings card was to decorate a spot in the home. I got a few bits of greenery at our grocery store and I let Josie pick out some festive red candles.
The candles were way too round for our dainty brass candlesticks but those are the ones that Josie picked out and I wanted to give her a sense of ownership. So I jammed those suckers in there like a pig in a mini skirt (just made that saying up – ha!).
Our halls are not completely decked but we are getting there one glorious December day at a time.
For curiosity or inspiration sake, here are my 24 days…
- Cut down Christmas tree or if it’s already cut down go sit in the room and smell it.
- Decorate a portion of the home with holiday cheer.
- Drink a hot chocolate.
- Have champagne; girls can have sparkling apple juice.
- Give a gift to someone who has been on your mind but isn’t on your Christmas shopping list.
- Decorate the Christmas tree.
- Go to the library and check out Christmas books.
- Do a random act of kindness
- Craft project
- Eat a cookie or if up to it bake some
- Go to Union Square
- Write Santa a letter
- Give a toy to a toy drive
- Sing Christmas Carols
- Have a family cuddle session
- Dance your heart out to a song
- Go to Filoli
- Give food to a food bank
- Visit Santa
- Give a hug to the person standing next to you
- Visit a neighborhood with great Christmas lights
- Give a book to a book drive
- Family day
- Open a present chosen by Mom and Dad (hint, hint – they are matching pajamas…that’s one of my family Christmas traditions woven in).
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1.
katecollinsinteriors | December 3, 2015 at 9:26 AM
Wonderful creative ideas. What fun you all will have. Mom
2.
Jacquelin Lynn | December 3, 2015 at 9:33 AM
I love this! Thanks.
3.
Mary Karen | December 3, 2015 at 9:58 AM
Oh clever YOU! Your beautifully creative ideas are certain to bring about a joyful Holiday Season!
4.
deborah moore manning | December 3, 2015 at 12:08 PM
wonderful new Fam Tradition! Love the idea. . .
5.
ovbal | December 10, 2015 at 1:20 AM
Inspiring tradition!
6.
Kirsten | December 17, 2015 at 4:02 PM
Your such a good mom! Love the idea