Christmas Traditions

I LOVE the Christmas season. 

My husband and I would be content having the house decorated and looking festive most of the year. With this beautiful season comes cold weather (yeah, still waiting on that), amazing food and extra time with family and friends. To top it off, we have special family Christmas traditions that we always look forward to.

Trimming the Tree

Our tree is an after Christmas sale (and I mean dirt cheap) but from a distance, and once it's decorated, you can hardly tell. We always put the tree up on Black Friday. Since I do most of my shopping online theses days, it opens up lots of time to enjoy decorating. 

Ornaments

Each ornament that goes on our tree is special and represents some part of our lives. We also have a traditional ornament that we get for one another each year. For my husband, he gets his annual fire truck, I get the latest in the Puppy Love series, and G gets her fairy. Our ornament series all come from Hallmark (no compensation for the plug) and it's tricky when buying for the other person not to scope out your own. We always want it to be a surprise. My husband was in charge of selecting the series we would start for our son. I can't wait to see what he chose!

Stockings

I have been longing for coordinating stockings that would stand the test of time. In the past I've used Santa sacks that I made from festive material. This year, thanks to an awesome half off sale and a 20% off coupon, our family now has coordinating stockings and I could not be happier. Our stockings are opened Christmas Eve, along with the ornaments.

Baking

There is always baking. Everything from cookies to pies to Cornish hens. Something is always being made to enjoy this time of year.

My mom has started a tradition of making cookies with G in their matching aprons and although she won't get to be here this year, we'll pick up on the tradition again next year.

Elf on a Shelf

We love our daughter's imagination. She cracks us up. To add to the fun, we've thrown in the Elf. G named her Princess and looks for her every morning. 

The Christmas Story

One of my favorite traditions is reading the Christmas story. On Christmas Eve we begin the scripture and end right before Jesus' birth. On Christmas morning we finish the story and have a family prayer. This year, G has been very excited about the coming of Jesus' birthday. Melts my heart.

The story of His birth, His Life and Resurrection are the premise of our Christmas celerations. He is the reason for the season and His sacrifice was truly the best gift ever given.

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