Traditions

Christmas time is upon us and with it comes office holiday parties, Sunday School Christmas gift exchange and party, family and friend gatherings to celebrate Christmas, give gifts, and eat. We all love to give and receive gifts and who doesn't like Christmas cookies and all the fixings. But for some, it is all about traditions. I have or have had (when younger) traditions with my boys. Some they liked and some they didn't. I would like to share some with you today and I will share some pictures too.

When Alex and Chris were ages 5-8 (give or take a year) I purchased the traditional Christmas cookie cutters. I just bought the roll out dough at the grocery store and some sprinkles. I would clear off the kitchen table and let them cut out their cookies and decorate them how they wanted to. Now, I made a few myself too. We would eat a few then put the rest in a cookie tin to take to my parents house for Christmas Eve. This is something they enjoyed doing for several years but carries a lifetime of memories.

Merry Christmas from Santa-this happened every Christmas Eve night after "everyone" was tucked into bed. Santa would open the front door with a special key made just for him and place all the presents under the tree. Santa would eat his chocolate chip cookies and drink the left for him and leave "Merry Christmas" on the floor spelled out in all the pen, pencils, and markers he could find around our house. The boys were so shocked every Christmas morning that Santa would leave this for them.

Prayer tree-I cannot take credit for this because I saw it somewhere online years ago. I purchased craft form and cut out a Christmas tree and ornaments (different colored circles to look like Christmas balls). I used Velcro to attach the balls to the tree. We started on December 1st with talking about who we needed to pray for, whether it be someone in need or just someone on our heart. We would write the name of the person(s) on the Christmas ball and place it on the tree. We placed a new one everyday for the month of December. We also did one of thanks.

Christmas pajama's-the boys absolutely loved this one. Every year (still) they receive new pajama's on Christmas Eve to wear that night.

Christmas at the Falls-I love driving around looking at Christmas lights and see how others decorate for Christmas. The boys were never a fan of this especially Chris. I had to find a way for them to enjoy this so I could see Christmas lights. Christmas at the Falls at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama is a close and convenient place to go for the whole family ($6 per person & age 4 and under are free). You can ride the train, decorate a sugar cookie, get hot chocolate, talk with Santa and leave him a letter, see reindeer and other animals, and see all the pretty lights even the water at the Falls has lights shining on it. We would make a fun night of it by grabbing a bite to eat on the way there and a sweet treat on the way back home. This is a tradition that is still going and one I am sharing with my husband and bonus son now for the past two years. My wish is for all my boys to carry this tradition when they have children of their own.

I hope you have traditions you still carry on, if not, start making them now. The memories are priceless and the fun you have making them. Some are trial and error like with most things. Find what fits best with you and your family. Remember the reason we have Christmas is most important. Remember, not everyone celebrates Christmas because it is a hard time for them with the loss of a family member or someone very dear to them. Try to include them and help them cope with what it is they are going through. Shine the light from within.