Christmas Traditions

Our traditions have evolved over the years.  Some things have remained pretty consistent.  We exchange pj's on Christmas eve, we give each other and the kids ornaments every year.  The ornament tradition was started by Brian's grandmother the year we got married.  A few years ago we also started giving the kids three gifts to represent the three gifts given to Jesus by the wise men.

Our Christmas tree goes up the week after Thanksgiving.  I love looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot cocoa.  While in San Diego we have gone to Christmas on the Prado or La Mesa Christmas in the Village.  In New Orleans there is Christmas in the Oaks. All of these traditions have undergone name changes due to being politically correct or more accepting of all faiths.  One thing I have always enjoyed is luminarias.  One Christmas my Grandpa Shaw did over 300 around his house.

I love Nativities sets.  The kids have the little people one, I have a Willow Tree set, another simple one bought from a random store several years ago, and a Thomas Kincade nativity tree.

For Christmas dinner we make a birthday cake for Jesus birthday.  I know that Jesus wasn't really born on December 25th but that is the day that we as Christians celebrate His birth.  Since we give our kids birthday cakes we give Jesus a birthday cake. We do a Advent count down.  This has varied over the past several years.  Some years it's been chocolate kisses wrapped in plastic wrapped.  Each night we would cut off one kiss off the chain before bed.  Some years it's been a candy cane covered paper Christmas tree.  This year with seven kids living in the house, I bought mini stockings and filled each stocking with candy.  There are 5 candy kisses and 2 peppermints (for the 2 that are allergic to soy and dairy).  I think the mini stockings will become our "tradition" I love the look of them counting down.

In New Orleans for two years the church where I attended MOPS had Christmas in the Barn.  One of the families has a Barn and they had a LIVE Nativity and fellowship time in early December. I miss that time A LOT.  I MISS my MOPS friends A LOT. We also go to church on Christmas eve.  For years our church doesn't have services we have visited other churches.

I love baking and getting together with friends and the "family" we have adopted over the years.  For me opening up our homes and hearts are part of the holiday season, sitting in front of the tree with Brian and the kids thinking back over the year, making plans for the year to come, missing those not with us, thanking God for the many blessings He has given us is one of my favorite times of the year.

This year we opened our home to more friends and family.  I am blessed beyond measure and count many near and far to be friends and family.  I may procrastinate and forget to get things out in the mail but things get done here at home with my boys and girls.  For me it is almost a tradition to find the cards after Christmas holiday has past. LOL

 It's  Company Girl Friday head on over for more chit chat and fun reading!

Have a blessed day.