Christmas Traditions

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas traditions lately. Specifically the ones I want our family to carry on. Now that Santa will be visiting our household, I've been intentionally sorting out what I think is important to carry on.

Holidays with my family and Chris's family couldn't be much different. I've had a really hard time adjusting to holidays there because they are so unlike the ones I'm used to. I guess that's the good thing about being the one to initiate and carry on traditions-- I get to choose which traditions are "right." (Their traditions are only "wrong" in that they are completely opposite of my family's.) We get to make decisions that shape the feel and experience of Christmas in our house. That feels like a very grown-up responsibility.



I'd wager that most families get new pajamas for Christmas. Santa at the Parish household was extra amazing. Christmas morning we'd find ourselves dressed in those new pajamas. No box under the Christmas tree to open Christmas Eve for us. Santa was able to dress us in those pajamas without us waking up-- and obviously the only way that would work was with a little magic of Christmas. (Once we got older our pajamas were left on the end of our beds.) Remembering that rush of amazement as we'd wake up, feel our new pajamas in the dark and try figuring out what they were like before heading out to the living room for a PJ inspection by Christmas tree lights still makes me giddy. I request that Santa carries on that tradition with Millie. (A side note: Does anyone know where to get adorable pajamas that don't cost an arm and a leg? I guess I'm super picky, because I want them to be fleece footies that zip, not snap, and the fleece can't be cheap stuff because fleece has been known to give me a bad case of the willies. I'm not loving any of the Carter's holiday stuff-- too character-y or wordy for me. Any help?)

Millie doesn't have many wants or needs this year for Christmas. Add to it that we'll be traveling and Chris is a grad student. Her Christmas will be small. Part of me feels guilty for that. Then I wonder, "Why?" How funny that I've been conditioned to feel like I'm failing my child if I don't shower her with lots of presents.

I have a thing for beautiful toys. (Millie doesn't have a dissenting opinion or a case of the gimmes yet. That helps. ) Several years ago I bought a couple Vilac toys. They were good looking and I got them for a good price. They are usually the favorite of kids who come to our house. (I got this and this.) I'd much rather outfit our toy box with a few awesome toys than fill it to overflowing with plastic junk that lights up and makes noise. I'm pretty sure Santa will be bringing Millie a Haba toy this year.

I have been conditioned about Christmas trees. Growing up we had white lights and there was always a theme, not a hod-podge of sentimental ornaments (because my mom threw those away, ha!). I only allow for a variation to my original glittery silver snowflake theme because ornaments from a homeless man embody the spirit of Christmas better than anything else I can think of. So now it's silver & sparkly, with only other glass ornaments allowed.

We got our very own Elf on the Shelf this year. And if Chris doesn't start picking up after himself, I think he'll start reporting to Santa, and we'll start that tradition earlier than I expected. Especially since Millie and Chris are the only ones with presents under the tree!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is hosting a Christmas Recital (this year it got changed to a Christmas Variety Show, because Jon says the word "recital" gives him anxiety). I love inviting people to share their talents and bring the spirit of Christmas. I think this will be our fifth annual, and it's a tradition that's here to stay!