Like so many other families, we have enjoyed certain Christmas traditions over the 34 years Jim and I have been married. I thought it would be fun just to share a few with you.
Here’s one my two youngest children started doing when they were about five and six. After spending the day decorating the Christmas tree, they would bring up their pillow and blankets for bedtime and sleep under the tree! As they have gotten bigger over the last ten years, it has become necessary to sleep more to the side of the tree, rather than under it.
At some point during the night, Jim or I would make our way out to the living room, turn off the lights, and go on to bed. When they were smaller, they were usually asleep by then. Now that they are older, they turn them off as they are getting sleepy because a 10-foot Christmas tree full of lights makes the living room too bright for sleeping.
You ask me how this tradition got started? I tell you….I don’t know.
Then there’s the one about spending the day in our pajamas. Personally, this is not one of my favorites because I tend to feel less productive when I spend the day in my PJ’s. However, the rest of my family really enjoys doing this. In fact, the girls have been known to buy a new pair of PJ’s just for this occasion! To this I say, “To each his own.” 
Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas Day without homemade hot chocolate and spiced cider. At some point after we have finished opening the presents, I make my way into the kitchen and whip up a special batch for those I love. (And don’t forget the marshmellows. They really do add to the taste of the hot chocolate.)
Then there is Jim’s favorite tradition. He loves being able to find a quiet moment during the craziness of the day and begin reading from his new book he received as a present. Which reminds me–I had better check with the rest of the crew and make sure somebody has bought him one for Christmas.
Finally, we usually try and make time to watch a couple of good movies to finish out the day. This may be a Christmas favorite we didn’t get time to watch leading up to Christmas Day, or it might be one that we received as a gift. Here’s hoping I get the newest Love Comes Softly movie. Hint. Hint.
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What are more traditions with kids?
Hi Sarah:
One of our family traditions we also enjoy every year is doing Advent. While there are some ways to do this very “traditionally,” we enjoy using Advent storybooks by author Arnold Ytreeide. He has written three titles: Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage, and Tabitha’s Travels.
For the four weeks leading up to Christmas, there is an exciting chapter about the main character, ending with a cliffhanger. This keeps both Mom and Dad and the children begging for more–but not until tomorrow!
We have been enjoying doing one of the three EVERY year since the author first wrote Jotham’s Journey in 1997. We tried one or two other programs when we finished the three books, but we always come back to these. While each book in the “trilogy” stands alone, it is fun to see how the main characters meet up with each other in the stories of Bartholomew and Tabitha.
When our first three children married, we gave each of them their own set of books to save and use with their children at Christmas. Now they are enjoying doing these Advent storybooks with their own children.
I personally never tire of doing one of these stories each year at Christmas and I’m amazed at how much detail I forget after three years. Believe me, these readings keep me on the edge of my seat, too!
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