Tradition

December 1st is here already, and that means Christmas morning will be here soon, so soon. Seriously, one of the most wonderful days of the year can sometimes be missed with all the lists and checking them twice. When is there even time for Nat King Cole and roasting chestnuts by the open fire? Or holding hands and kissing under the mistletoe? ;-)

That’s where tradition comes into the picture. Slowing down and experiencing favorite family traditions with your family causes us to look around at one another, and enjoy the trueness of this miraculous holiday. Whether it’s simply making Christmas cookies (can’t wait to share our favorite cookie recipe for the season), watching your favorite Christmas movies (Elf and White Christmas are the top of our list), reading the Christmas Story throughout the month (we love using The Jesus Storybook Bible to take us through the journey of the birth of Christ), wearing matching Christmas pajamas, making ginger bread houses, or even doing an advent calendar as we excitedly wait everyday this month for Christmas!

This morning we began one of our Christmas traditions with the kids. Our advent calendar. Everyday of December the kids wake up in eager anticipation of what will be behind the tiny door of our Christmas advent calendar. Most days are a candy cande Hershey kiss for each of them, but sprinkled throughout the month are a few clues that will guide them to a small Christmas present.

Clues like:

• I’m hiding out where it’s mighty toasty! It’s 425 degrees I think I may be roasting! The kids will read the clue and go search the house for there small gift.

• I’m right here where you dry things with care. I’ll be waiting right here enjoying the nice, warm air. This was the clue we used this morning; they took a minute and ran right to the dryer. There they each found a new, fun, Christmas sweater to wear.

This small little thing is one of the kids favorite things to do every year. They woke up first thing this morning knowing that it was December 1st, and ran right to the calendar with so much anticipation and excitement. Sometime they get Hershey kisses in the calendar the first few days if I haven’t been able to gather up a few gifts yet, and they are just as excited to open the calendar up everyday for the chocolate. Other gifts that I gathered up this year for the calendar are gingerbread houses for them each to make, a new ormanment for each of them, fun Christmas pajamas, and tickets to go see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! You can choose to do more gifts or less, or just different candy. Make it your own, be creative, and more than anything have fun with it..

Maybe this year it’s time to do less, and make that your tradition; to do a simple Christmas. Maybe it’s gathering with people and experiencing things together more. Whatever it is! New or old, adding a little bit more to your Christmas tradition, or a little less we hope you have a wonderful December as you anticipate Christmas morning and the true Reason we gather, give and celebrate!

XO,

LE