Holiday Traditions
It never really occurred to me when I was younger that we had holiday “traditions.” Christmas was always absolute magic at our house, thanks to my mother of course, and I just thought that’s how it was for everyone. Now as I try and bring that same magic to my own little family I realize just how many traditions we had and how special those memories really were.
Every Christmas Eve my mom gave us Christmas PJs, they weren’t always matching family ones but they were always cozy and cute. It feels wrong to this day to skip on Christmas jams. Next my mom would also let my sister and I each pick one small gift to open together on Christmas Eve before bedtime. As we got older we made it our own tradition to open each other’s gifts and I always really loved it. We did it together without anyone else being around and our gifts always felt that much more special because of it. On Christmas Eve we also always watch Christmas Vacation, I legit cannot remember a single Christmas without it. Let’s be honest if that is not your top Christmas flick there probably is something wrong with you (KIDDING, but not). Another thing I always remember was getting a special ornament for the tree. Some years we got to pick them and other years we were surprised with something beautiful. Although there were many other small and special traditions the last thing I’ll remencise on before we delve into what we do now is, popcorn. My mom ALWAYS got us jumbo bags of Kernels popcorn (in my opinion the best to exist) and still to this day she usually, somehow, makes that happen, despite the fact the closest Kernels is an hour away. What a legend she is.
I don’t know that I can ever live up to the magic my mom created but my goodness I want to try. I already know something fun I forgot that I want to start doing with the boys in the next year or so and that is a scavenger hunt for your Santa present! My mother would make the cutest clues and take us on a hunt around the house from the big guy himself. It was always the highlight of Christmas morning running around so excited to find out what Santa had thought up. So that I will absolutely be doing. BUT for now, with my young little sweet peas we have started a few of our own holiday traditions. For starters this year we caved and started “Elf on the Shelf.” Contrary to popular opinion I actually think it is worth the thought that goes into it each night purely because Beau wakes up every single morning and is so excited to see where Larry is. Yes our Elf’s name is Larry. Classic, I know.
Getting a Christmas tree and decorating it as a family is something I will always cherish and always make happen. I think there is something magical about bringing the Christmas spirit alive with your tree. Another key part of that Christmas magic, for me at least, is Christmas pajamas. I plan to have matching family ones for as long as humanly possible and this year might just be my favourite. We snagged these cuties from Little Black Bow in Downtown Bracebridge and I am in love with them. I think there is so much more I could go on about but really what I need to know is what are your traditions? What do you and your family do to bring alive the spirit of the season? Head over to the gram and tell me what is special to you!
And most importantly, HAPPY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you beautiful humans!
xo
