Being a parent is a hard job. Way harder than I ever imagined and I suspect it gets harder as the years go on. But being a parent has some pretty awesome perks too. Perks that far outweigh the tough moments.
One of the biggest perks is getting to make traditions with your family. Quinn is only a year old but I want to start family traditions now so that no matter how far back she thinks, she will always remember how we celebrated special events as a family.
Christmas is probably the biggest holiday of the whole year.
Since we are not a religious family, I want Quinn to associate Christmas not simply with presents and yummy food, but as a time to both celebrate and appreciate family, friends and the good fortune we have. I want her to learn that giving presents is better than receiving. I want her to learn to be thankful for the little things in life and not big, expensive presents.
I remember some Christmas mornings as a child, I would rip through the many presents I was given and then have the nerve to whine "is that it?" How bratty!
I definitely don't want that on Christmas morning.
So what is a mother in search of holiday traditions to do?
Enter Pinterest.
Here is a roundup of some amazing Christmas traditions I plan to start up for my kiddo(s):
1) 24 books of Christmas
Wrap 24 Christmas books and let the kid(s) unwrap one each night.
A better alternative to the traditional advent calendar?
This is such a neat idea! Ok so how it works is you purchase the Elf on a Shelf kit here. When you get your elf, you read the book to your kids and then register your elf here.
Here is the story from the Elf on the Shelf website:
"Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf® – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.
The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf®, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.
Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.
Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!
Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot! While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.
On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy."
The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf®, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.
Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.
Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!
Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot! While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.
On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy."
Ummm AMAZING.
There are tons of ideas for fun places to put your Elf on the Shelf. Here's one blog I found with 101 ideas - http://blossombunkhouse.com/2011/11/08/101-elf-on-the-shelf-ideas-2/ . If you search Elf on a Shelf in Pinterest you'll get tons of other ideas. Can't wait to start this tradition!
3) The Mini-Van Express
This idea is a play on the movie The Polar Express, which, by the way, is a great Christmas movie.
The explanation on this 'pin' was :
"Start your bedtime routine as usual, make popcorn and hot chocolate drinks and place them in the car, don’t forget to have Christmas music playing too! When the kids climb into bed, they will find the ticket hidden. The kids are instructed to grab their slippers and head for the car. Upon entrance to The Mini Van Express, we hole punch the ticket, and we travel around the city looking at all the beautiful lights."
How awesome is that? Obviously Quinn is a little young for this one now, but I can picture her in a few years being so excited to find that ticket.
4) The Christmas Eve Surprise Box
When I was a kid, my parents used to let us open one present on Christmas Eve. We would be so excited to open it up but were sometimes disappointed when it turned out to be pajamas. When I saw this pin, I knew this was a tradition for my family. The Christmas Eve Surprise Box contains new Christmas pajamas, hot chocolate, special mugs, a special treat, a Christmas movie and a Christmas book all to enjoy on Christmas Eve.
LOVE IT.
Well, I could go on all day but I think that's enough traditions for me to commit to for now.
I seriously can't wait to start these traditions with my little family.
I hope these inspire you to start your own fun traditions :)
Happy Tuesday,
xo Vicky
