Christmas Traditions 2014

Here are some Christmas traditions from our family 

(I had to make a post about this so I'll remember for next year!):

  

Crafting: (top) ice cream cone Christmas tree with icing and chocolate chips.  

(bottom) Grace's hand print tree with fingerprint ornaments

We did several crafts and Grace brought a lot home from pre-school as well.

Lights at Tanglewood Park

Stories and snacks

Decorate the tree with elf Grace

Why do we decorate a Christmas tree?  My small group was reading excerpts from the book called Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross.  I HIGHLY recommend it!  In one of the advent devotionals it talked about the history behind Christmas trees and how in the winter when most trees are bare, the Christmas tree symbolizes life and hope, as does Jesus.  I love that visual and it made decorating our tree even more special this year!

Elf Kristen decorated the house this year while the little ones were napping and Jimmy was working.  Decorating the house is special because so many of my decorations were passed down to me from my mom and many were gifts from family.

Giving: I didn't take a picture of it, but Grace helped me choose some toys and clothes for a little girl about her age.  We brought the items to the gym we go to and put them under the tree.  The Salvation Army will make sure the right little girl gets her bag of goodies.  It was such a good lesson for us because the little girl asked for a Frozen (the movie) doll.  Grace had to realize that we were buying the items for someone else, not for her (oh their sinful natures!) and that was hard, but so good for her.

Make a gingerbread house (and eat it the next day)

Nana's butter cookie tradition: This goes back almost 5 generations.  It's so sweet to share it with Grace.

Here is my Nana, me, and Jordan as kids

One of the finished trays from this year

I also bake a few other types of cookies.  Jimmy's favorites are the cherry cookies that is a recipe of his late Aunt Pat (his grandmother's sister).  It's a very easy recipe to follow and a yummy treat!

Praying for friends: I stole this idea from my friend, Melissa, who used to live in Winston and go to our church.  I believe she uses the Christmas cards that are sent to her family each year and they pray for one "card" or  family a night.  It's a great way for little ones like Grace to learn to pray for different people in different ways.

Fellowship with friends: our church fellowship group has a fondue party every year.  We wear our Christmas jammies, eat yummy food, and have white elephant gift exchange.  I sure do love these people!  

Jimmy's anesthesia residency class party...the ladies :)

The fellows...some ladies and fellows were left out because the picture was taken later

We also went to several other Christmas parties with friends and the fellowship was so rich!  What a great time of year to be with those you love.

Advent Bible verses: I found some awesome verses on Pinterest.  Each day during December you read a different verse, but you start from the beginning, and it builds the story of Jesus' birth.  It was great to read each morning.  It's quite repetitive which is perfect for Grace's age.  At the Christmas Eve service we attended, they read the same scripture, and I could see Grace's eyes get big with excitement because she knew the story!

Countdown to Christmas: I remember racing my brother to put up the "next" ornament on our countdown calendar each day.  We ended up having to rotate days and take turns.  My mom gifted this countdown calendar to us and Grace was so excited to put the ornament on each morning.

Breakfast with Santa at Chick Fil A: We went last year and now I suppose it will be a tradition.  Who can pass up breakfast at Chick Fil A?  Not us.  Santa being there was a free bonus.  The cow was dressed up and there was also balloon artist.  They send you home with a gift bag as well.  It's a great family friendly event!

 In our house, Santa will fills stockings with:

Something you want

Something you need

Something you can wear

Something to read

Friendship bread: I don't have a picture, but this is a tradition I carried on from my mom.  She would always make all this bread, freeze it, and then give it out as gifts or bring it to parties.  It's actually the perfect idea because it's a thoughtful gift and people love it!

Christmas Eve present: Jimmy and I both remember being able to open one gift on Christmas Eve.  It's only fitting to continue that tradition.  Wesley enjoyed some stacking cups (that vest...I could barely stand it!).

Grace enjoyed some play eggs with play chicks inside.  This is a toy for 6 month olds y'all, but she has been talking about it since pre-school started since they have the toy in her classroom.  She cracks me up (pun intended...hehehe)!

Christmas Eve service and dinner with the Cloers: We began this tradition last year.  David and Lindsay (Uncle David and Aunt Lulu) are our neighbors and some of our closest friends.  We are family.  It was wonderful sharing another Christmas Eve and Christmas morning breakfast with them.

David's dad, Leslie, Linday, David, and Jason (david's brother) let us join in this year. 

When it's all said and done, I want our children to feel that these traditions are special times of fellowship rather than a checklist of things that need to get done.  We celebrate Jesus' birthday on Christmas and really want to focus on that instead of the "hustle and bustle" of the season.  It's a special time of year to spend with family, loving one another, and giving to others.  Joy to the World and Happy Birthday Jesus!