And then I blinked, and then I realized Christmas is happening six days from now.
!!!!
I don’t even know what happened to December. Somewhere in between decorating the tree and eating my weight in chocolate covered candy cane joe-joes, half a month has passed me by. I’ve been super busy with photography and Brett’s been extra busy with work. Everett has been consumed with a mixture of playdates and Thomas and tiny toy cars. Our calendar has been full of go-go-go and do-do-do. There were a few traditions that I wanted to start this year that I wasn’t able to pull off in time.
It’s weird to go from celebrating Christmas as the child to celebrating Christmas as the parent, am I right? I feel so much pressure all of a sudden, like I am solely responsible for not only giving Everett a wonderful Christmas, but also for teaching Everett the meaning of Christmas.
It feels a little overwhelming at times. To be completely honest, in some ways I feel like I was let off the hook this year because Everett is still so young and things like advent calendars and the birth of Jesus are beyond his understanding at this point.
(Also known as: I really need to get my act together next year.)
Brett and I have spent a lot of time talking about traditions this month: traditions we love, traditions we want to start now, traditions we want to start later. It’s a good ongoing conversation to have, I think. I’m sure our traditions will evolve as the years go on and as our family grows. Routines change, kids grow up, it’s all part of life.
There’s joy in the spontaneous and there’s joy in the expected, and my ideal Christmas is a combination of both. Having said that, here are ten traditions that Brett and I have both agreed to honor in our family:
1. Spend Christmas morning at home. This is something my family always did growing up, and looking back now, I am really thankful we didn’t spend Christmas day traveling. Brett and I have spent every Christmas morning together since we’ve been married, and now it’s extra fun because of Everett. We always make waffles and mimosas for breakfast (sorry Ev, plain orange juice for you!).
2. Look at Christmas lights. This year we did a Christmas light hayride with friends and it was SO fun. We all piled into the “sleigh”, complete with twinkle lights and jingle bells, and rode around fancy neighborhoods drinking hot cider and mulled wine from thermoses. I am 99% sure it was illegal, but we all had a blast, so, whatever.
3. Get a real Christmas tree. Ever since Brett and I have been married, we have bought a real Christmas tree every year. We dedicate a whole night to decorating the tree, crank up the Christmas music, and make hot cocoa. It’s the best.
4. The four-gift rule. We started this tradition last year and it was a complete success. I love making our gift giving routine simple, thoughtful, and intentional. Each of us receives something we want, something we need, something to wear, and something to read.
5. Do an advent calendar. I don’t have one of these (yet!) but an advent calendar is on my list of things to buy post-Christmas this year, hopefully on sale. I love the idea of filling it with a bible verse and family activity or random act of kindness each day. I think Everett will be old enough to start this next year!
6. Make a paper chain countdown. We did this in my house growing up, and I loved it. I meant to make one this year for Everett but failed miserably. On the list for next year!
7. Send Christmas cards. I am a Christmas card crazy, remember?
8. Watch Love Actually with Brett. We only watch this movie once a year, and we always watch it in December. It’s one of my all-time favorite movies. We love to light a few candles, pop some popcorn, and voila! Indoor date night.
9. Do Operation Christmas Child. Brett and I have done this together in years past and I would love to make it a yearly tradition with Everett involved in the shopping process. At the Allume conference I attended back in October, a man named Alex spoke about the shoebox he received as a child in Rwanda. He talked about how that shoebox changed his life, and how it was the first time he ever heard about God. I love how Operation Christmas Child uses small gifts to tell children around the world that they are loved, all in the name of Jesus.
10. Special end-of-the-year date night. Starting this year, Brett and I are planning a special date night in December to a) reflect on the past year, and b) set personal, financial, relational, and spiritual goals for the next year. I love the idea of setting aside a whole evening for really intentional conversation. If you also love this idea, you can thank my friend Sharon because I totally stole it from her.
What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?! Have any of your traditions changed throughout the years after marriage or after babies?