Holiday traditions have been a topic that has been on my mind lately. Carter is now 10 months old, which isn't old enough to really do a whole ton of traditions with. But it got me thinking about how I want my family to be and what we will do for Christmas once he is a little older. I have such amazing memories with my family during this time of year. I want to make sure that my children have just as an amazing time as I did. This post is about what we did for the holidays this year, even with a 10 month old.
1. Advent Calendar:
My wonderfully talented sister made these quilted advent calendars. It’s amazing all the little parts she stitched together. There are all types of advent calendars out there, even ones with candy for each day of Christmas!
My wonderfully talented sister made these quilted advent calendars. It’s amazing all the little parts she stitched together. There are all types of advent calendars out there, even ones with candy for each day of Christmas!
2. Picking out a fresh Christmas Tree/ Decorating the house for Christmas:
I loved having a fresh Christmas tree growing up, and there is no other smell in the world like fresh pine. Me and Gideon started buying a fresh tree last year and made a day of setting it up and putting out the rest of our Christmas decorations. This year we repeated that tradition (even went to the same lot by our house selling trees!) and I seriously had so much fun. We put loud Christmas music on and had hot fresh tea with cookies. This is definitely a tradition we will continue to do every year. I'm sitting by my fresh cut tree as I'm writing this and couldn't imagine anything better.
I loved having a fresh Christmas tree growing up, and there is no other smell in the world like fresh pine. Me and Gideon started buying a fresh tree last year and made a day of setting it up and putting out the rest of our Christmas decorations. This year we repeated that tradition (even went to the same lot by our house selling trees!) and I seriously had so much fun. We put loud Christmas music on and had hot fresh tea with cookies. This is definitely a tradition we will continue to do every year. I'm sitting by my fresh cut tree as I'm writing this and couldn't imagine anything better.
3. Take a picture with Santa:
This might be a little strange if you don't have a child but I don't judge! This Santa is actually Carter's great grandfather, on Gideon's dad's side. I think that is really special that he will have this holiday picture with his great grandfather, to remember him by.
This might be a little strange if you don't have a child but I don't judge! This Santa is actually Carter's great grandfather, on Gideon's dad's side. I think that is really special that he will have this holiday picture with his great grandfather, to remember him by.
4. Decorate Ginger Bread Houses/Cookies:
Me and my in-laws had a ginger bread decorating contest the other weekend. I had never really done this with my family before but it was super fun! I actually made sugar cookies while everyone else decorated. They were delicous but stuck to the pan. So, if anyone knows a good recipe or what I did wrong, leave me a comment! The ginger bread houses turned out very cute and it was fun too see everyone in a little friendly competition over who had the best one.
Me and my in-laws had a ginger bread decorating contest the other weekend. I had never really done this with my family before but it was super fun! I actually made sugar cookies while everyone else decorated. They were delicous but stuck to the pan. So, if anyone knows a good recipe or what I did wrong, leave me a comment! The ginger bread houses turned out very cute and it was fun too see everyone in a little friendly competition over who had the best one.
5. Have a snow day!
We actually only made it up the canyon in time to snap a quick picture beside the snow because we aren't used to how quickly it gets dark now. Next time it snows though I want to build a snow man and go sledding, and then come back home and drink some hot chocolate.
We actually only made it up the canyon in time to snap a quick picture beside the snow because we aren't used to how quickly it gets dark now. Next time it snows though I want to build a snow man and go sledding, and then come back home and drink some hot chocolate.
6. Watch Christmas movies:
We watched Miracle on 34th Street. I got a part time job at Nordstrom Rack and haven't been home a lot of nights during the week. We haven't been able to watch as many Christmas movies as we normally do, due to my crazy schedule. It definitely makes me appreciate the time we do have as a family. I really love Elf, The Night Before, and The Santa Claus, if you want some good Christmas movie recommendations.
We watched Miracle on 34th Street. I got a part time job at Nordstrom Rack and haven't been home a lot of nights during the week. We haven't been able to watch as many Christmas movies as we normally do, due to my crazy schedule. It definitely makes me appreciate the time we do have as a family. I really love Elf, The Night Before, and The Santa Claus, if you want some good Christmas movie recommendations.
7. Matching Family Christmas PJ's!
This is such a cute idea, I think, especially with a family. Typically, the pj's are given out on Christmas Eve. I wanted to get more wear out of them so I gave them to everyone ahead of time. I got these matching onsies at Target. I thought they were a great deal for $25 a piece, with getting 50% off when you buy two. Definitely check out their Christmas pajamas! They had a great selection and they fit pretty good, even me at 5'1" and Gideon at 6'6".
This is such a cute idea, I think, especially with a family. Typically, the pj's are given out on Christmas Eve. I wanted to get more wear out of them so I gave them to everyone ahead of time. I got these matching onsies at Target. I thought they were a great deal for $25 a piece, with getting 50% off when you buy two. Definitely check out their Christmas pajamas! They had a great selection and they fit pretty good, even me at 5'1" and Gideon at 6'6".
8. Look at Christmas Lights:
This is a fun and FREE activity! Carter is still a little young to really enjoy this but we still got the whole family together and went down to Temple Square in Salt Lake. This is a religious spot for LDS members but they welcome all to come see see their beautiful light display. It really is magical, though chilly.
This is a fun and FREE activity! Carter is still a little young to really enjoy this but we still got the whole family together and went down to Temple Square in Salt Lake. This is a religious spot for LDS members but they welcome all to come see see their beautiful light display. It really is magical, though chilly.
Those were all the Christmasy things that me and my family did. We ran out of time this month (I swear the first part of winter races by and then after Christmas it goes SO SLOW!) Next year I want to go to see the Nut Cracker, at the Ballet West in Salt Lake. I also heard about doing a bon fire in the cold with S'mores, which sounds fun, too. Once our children start to get older, I would like to act out the birth of Christ, which our family always did. I also liked having a Christmas Eve Talent Show growing up. I read online about also taking your family to go do service somewhere, together, as well as getting presents for a family in need.
What are some holiday traditions that your family does? I would love to incorporate more as our family grows, so leave a comment with your suggestions below! Thank you for reading, and have a great Christmas!!!
What are some holiday traditions that your family does? I would love to incorporate more as our family grows, so leave a comment with your suggestions below! Thank you for reading, and have a great Christmas!!!