Christmas Traditions

I've been thinking a lot lately about Christmas traditions. Last night, while out to dinner with my mom and hubby and kids we started chatting about Christmas traditions and my mom told us about a conversation she had with a friend about which Christmas traditions she just couldn't do without. So this spurred a conversation of our own about it. Before I tell you which Christmas tradition we just couldn't do without, let me give you an overview of our Christmas traditions.

We have a lot of food traditions. Fudge, shortbread cookies, sugar cookies, carmelitas, slush, scotch stew, gingerbread house (which we don't eat but still falls into the food category). YUM!

But here's what we do Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Every Christmas Eve, in no particular order, we read the story of the Savior's birth from the scriptures, watch the cartoon version of Grinch, have the kids open up their new Christmas PJ's from Nana and tell the story, "Teach the Children." Then we have family prayer and set out cookies for Santa, and carrots and water for the reindeer. Somewhere in there the kids sprinkle reindeer food on the lawn too. Then the children are sent off to bed where they typically all sleep together (except for the baby) and hopefully have visions and dreams of sugarplums! (ha ha ha!)

On Christmas morning the kids wake up and come into our room where we chat for a little bit, say family prayer and line up youngest to oldest to go see what Santa brought. The kids file out into the family room where they find their stocking set up beside the gift that Santa brought. They get about 20-30 minutes to explore their stockings and new Santa toy, then the opening of the presents begin. This next part will continue to be modified as the kids get older but we prefer that each member of the family open presents one by one. This, of course, doesn't always work with little kids but we do the best we can. We figure by the time Reece is 4 or 5 this will work out as planned. So then, depending on how many people are together for Christmas morning, we either take a break for breakfast half way through, or we have breakfast after every one has opened their presents. Breakfast then consists of Scotch Stew, Toast and juice if we're with my family, and Scotch Stew, Toast, Breakfast Casserole, Cinnamon rolls and juice if we're with TJ's family. Then after breakfast is cleaned up and all the kids are happy playing with their new toys we all sack out and try to sleep!

So that is a rundown of our basic, core traditions. We modify from time to time, like this year we're going on a sleigh ride on Christmas Eve, but everything I wrote about is always a must. Now, what is the tradition we just couldn't live without you ask? We decided all of them. We couldn't live without one single Christmas Tradition! Its all so fun, and I hope we're building family memories and ties that will be carried on into our children's families!!!!

I love this time of year! Even though it took us about 45 minutes to get out of the Target parking lot today, I really love this time of year! I'm so grateful for the birth of our Savior and the life He lead. I love that He set a perfect example for us to follow and that He was willing to give His life so that we can have live with Him again someday. I am thankful for my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy it brings into my life. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!