Christmas Traditions

While we were eating Thanksgiving Dinner Jude told us that this Thanksgiving was really like Gemma's first because she's big enough to enjoy it and get excited. I told him that'd I'd been thinking that same thing for weeks! Having a toddler in a lot of ways is like having a baby all over again. It really is like meeting this little person for the first time. Gemma's personality (& vocabulary) is growing by leaps and bounds daily.

I'm super excited for Christmas this year because I know she'll be excited like I remember being as a kid. She already points out Santa every time we see him... or reindeer... or Olaf which is the name of all snowmen don't you know!? My parent's kept some pretty sweet traditions with us and the were really my favorite part of it all. We always got to open a present on Christmas Eve (of their choosing of course!), we always woke up early to open presents, and for a few years they even let me sleep in front of the tree! I had a great childhood and my memories are so invaluable to me. I really want to give Gemma that same thing!

1. Cookie Decorating with Papaw & Jiji

We haven't actually gotten to participate in this one because we've always lived away from family but this year we will get to! My family gets together and the kids all decorate sugar cookies for Santa! So messy and so fun! We decorated cookies on Halloween and Gemma loved it!

2. Christmas Eve Box

This is a pretty common one now I think, but I did this for Jude and Jaden on our first Christmas together and they loved it! I put together a box with pjs for each of them + Santa Hat's, Hot Chocolate, S'mores Ingredients, Popcorn and a Christmas Movie and we spend Christmas Eve cuddled together on the couch. Before we go to bed I force Brandon to read The Night Before Christmas in his radio voice and we all laugh because he makes up his own words half way through!

3. Decorating The Christmas Tree

Decorating for Christmas is like a chore for some people! I make sure there are yummy treats and good music playing when we decorate our tree. I also take lots of pictures because this is super exciting for me! Because... I'm a cheese ball.

4. Donate unused/old toys

I've never done this with Gemma because she never really has an excess of toys but Jude and Jaden have done this every year even if we have them for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas. They love the idea of making they're unwanted/unused things available to other kids. I want to take this one a step further when Gemma is older and purchase new toys to donate. There's just something magical about buying for other people...

5. Christmas Breakfast

I made French Toast for breakfast on Gemma's first Christmas and I've been thinking we should just make that a tradition because hello. French. Toast. My Dad makes freaking awesome French Toast so maybe he can share his recipe! Hint Hint Dad! The bonus here is that everyone loves it and it's easy to make half asleep, Which I will be doing... because I'll be waking Gemma up at 5AM screaming SANTA CAMEEEEE! He ATE THE COOKIES!!! and throwing tinsel all over our house... Like a mad woman.

XOXO

Crazy Christmas Lady