Christmas Traditions

Since having children, we have attempted to start establishing a few Christmas traditions for our family. In order to keep our traditions doable, we are still in the trial and error phase. For instance, although we opened one Christmas book each day to count down to Christmas this December, I will most likely not wrap up our books next year. We are too impatient and enjoy books too much to wait for a certain one to be opened. Also, I plan to keep my Grandmother's tradition of having a Happy Birthday Jesus celebration, but the when/who/where may change each season. Last year, we had cake with neighbors, whereas this year the kids decorated their own cupcakes with cousins. Since Belle's first Christmas, I have hosted a Gingerbread House social, but the make-up of the event has looked different each year. For the first few parties, a large crowd of friends came to decorate with us, and this year was just a simple affair with one sweet family.

For the second year now, each evening of Advent my kids run to the table exclaiming, "Candlelight Time!" We all love reading a devotional and singing a carol with the family each night as we reflect on the coming of the Christ child. The simple addition of "candlelight time" in our home has helped keep the focus on Christ as the reason for the season. Of course the kids sometimes squabble over blowing out the candle, but overall it is a serene and beautiful Christmas tradition.


In hopes of cultivating a spirit of giving and serving throughout the holiday season, we filled our "Sparkle Box" again this Christmas. Based on a book, the tradition is to keep a record of things done for others in a sparkly box. On Christmas morning, it is the first gift opened, and the family reflects on showing kindness and love to others as Christ has done for us. A few of our favorites included in our box were singing in the nursing home and passing out meal vouchers to strangers.

As for gifts, we mostly adhere to the 4 gift rule for the kids. "Something you want, something you need, something you wear and something you read." In addition, we have stockings and open a family game to add to our family fun arsenal. We also like the tradition of leisurely opening our gifts in our own home as a family on Christmas day after a reading of Luke 2 and a special breakfast.