1. By far, number one is our stocking exhange. Everyone draws a name months in advance and is then responsible for filling that persons 'stocking'. Secret santa like. Stocking can mean stocking, a gift bag, a box...whatever holds all of the goodies that you've bought. Funny, meaningful, necessary or edible...anything is fair in a stocking!Everyone LOVES this part of our holiday.
2. Christmas eve out for pizza. DD3(almost 15 now) was born on Christmas Eve and the whole family meets at a cute little pizza place to celebrate her big-day without it being lost in the holiday...alot of fun!
3. The tree. We cut our own and it is always a fun event- a day in the snow with a toasty fire and hot cocoa.
4. Decorating the tree. Ive collected at least one ornament each and every year since 1976. There is such an eclectic mix of whimsy and tradition. Everyone loves unwrapping the ornaments and mom telling the stories.
5. The jigsaw puzzle. A holiday puzzle that we leave out all season (Thanksgiving to Christmas) and everyone helps get it done by Christmas.
6. Nana's beefy bread dip. An amazingly wonderful breadbowl full of sour creme, cream cheese, chipped beef, green onion and seasonings. Heat thoroughly and broil the bread pieces until crunchy...dip and eat...yummy!
7. The House Ornament. This ornament gets its own number on this list. The house ornament is one of the ugliest ornaments Ive ever seen. It is nothing special...just a little brown house on a hook...but for some reason, my brother and I fought over who got to hang it every year when I was growing up for as long as I can remember. My brother is gone now...but I keep that ornament displayed year round in my hutch. And it is the final touch on the tree every year. One of my most cherished possessions.
8. Crafts. The girls all make many of the decorations in our homes out of pinecones and acorns that we find on our property and embellish with dollar store finds. Frugal fun with a purpose.
9. DHs lights. His baby- there are lights everywhere and he wants more. (The electric bill is outrageous in December)
10. Christmas Vacation. Yep, our hands down family favorite for a good chuckle during the holidays. I enjoy all the chick-flick feel good movies and the classics....but this is one enjoyed by the whole gang.
So...what are some of your traditions.
Our top 10 Christmas traditions
December 3rd, 2006 at 07:05 am
December 3rd, 2006 at 08:38 am 1165135137
December 3rd, 2006 at 06:11 pm 1165169497
December 5th, 2006 at 02:56 am 1165287375
1. The stocking exchange sounds great. We just started a gift exchange with my siblings last year. It's a lot of fun.
2. Glad to hear that you have found a unique way to celebrate dd's birthday. Our youngest was born on 12/23 and we have already heard our share of "How could you do that to him? Don't you know he will hate it??" We need to come up with our own birthday tradition to keep it from getting lost in the festivities (when he gets old enough to know better anyway!).
6. That recipe sounds wonderful - reminds me of a rye bread dip, although I've never had one warm. Would you like to share the recipe??
7. Very touching story and a great tribute to your brother. Thank you for sharing.