Maybe because it is hot as crap and I am wishing for cooler days, or just nesting and being very sentimental right now, but I saw these links on a message board and thought I'd share. If ya'll have any of your own that you like, please share. I am really wanting to work on building fun traditions this year for abby since she'll be old enough to get more than she did last year. I hate how things get so busy that traditions sometimes get pushed to the side. As a kid my favorite memory of christmas (and I know my cousins share this as one of their favorites too) was being at my grandparents for christmas eve and then only agreeing to go home after our parents threatened us that santa was in flight and wouldn't stop at our house unless we were in bed. We'd all high tail it to the cars, looking for santa in the sky the whole way!! I guess it's the family and food that makes that memory special. Also, on Thanksgiving day or shortly there after, we would go to CoCo Hollow Christmas tree farm (which is closed now, but is all of 2 miles from my house). The Bettes Gang and I would all pick out our favorite tree and stand by it, and the parents would walk down the line and look at the tree that we picked. Then they would get the final pick, cut the tree, and then take it home to lots of cussing and arguing about how that tree trunk that seemed so straight at the farm became so crooked when it got home. I can't even count the number of times trees got tied to windows with fishing line to keep them from falling over. But every year, the tree was the most magical part of christmas. Chris and I have started getting our tree from Billy's grocery store in Cataula because they have the most beautiful perfect blue spruce trees - so even though we don't cut them down ourselves, i am loving the new tradition. For abby, last year I would stop at every salvation army bucket and give her money to put in. I would talk to her about why we need to do things for others...maybe that will be something we can expand on this year. we also try to read the christmas story from the bible and in years past have attended a christmas eve mass. That's hard with kids though, but i think they offer earlier services than the one we go to at midnight. It was funny to see my parents at their first catholic mass:-) Other than that, traditions still involve a lot of food and family time with me and chris and my parents and the ever growing extended family. This year, we'll really have so much to be thankful for and to celebrate...but hopefully things won't be too rushed and tired to focus on the true meaning of christmas.
http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/holidays-special-occasions/2783-low-cost-christmas-holiday-traditions.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Free-and-Low-Cost-Ways-to-Give-Kids-the-Best-Christmas-Ever&id=101822
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/christmas/tp/Homemade_Gifts_for_Kids.htm
http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm
http://beingfrugal.net/2007/11/07/50-frugal-christmas-ideas/
12 comments:
I treasure those memories too. We have traditions that We do with the girls. They are so important and I hope that they will mean the same to them.
but Kimberly, what do ya'll do or what good ideas have you heard that we could steal?? Also, we got 'Elf on a Shelf' last year, so we're going to start that this year at thanksgiving. Chris also wanted me to add the tradition that they had of driving around looking at christmas lights while listening to christmas music. we've done that the past few years as well.
okay, what do we do...well first we have the nutcracker now. The weekend after thanksgiving. I had the tradition of decorating and putting our tree up that weekend too. We make Mimi a gingerbread house every year. The week before Christmas we draw names and go out that night to buy that person a gift with a $20 limit. That is the girls favorite. We make little gingerbread houses Christmas day with the candy Santa Clause left, so he better leave some good stuff. Oh and we drive all over looking at Christmas lights. Christmas Morning I make a HUGE breakfast. It's all about breakfast not dinner at my house. I'll keep thinking about what we do cause I can't remember everything right now.
Well...sorry Jennifer I don't have much to offer you guys... you do more than we do already. I guess it is about time that Nick and I start little traditions with Davis as well!! So, I already got some good ones by just reading yours...THANKS!!! So, if you think of anything else that is good pass it along...I think this year I am going to make Nick take us to a tree farm this year that is more north of us and they let you cut your own tree and they have sleigh rides and stuff like that....I think that Davis will enjoy it A LOT this year...
One tradition that Nick and I started last year was that Nick and I both bought a FAMILY present. We really didn't put any money limit on it, which I should have b/c Nick bought us Rock Band (really bought it for himself) and I bought us a picture of the Savior....it was pretty funny!!
But, I think that I will change it this year and we will both buy a FAMILY present. Nick just can't be trusted....
Kim...those are some good ones... we cook a HUGE breakfast Christmas morning as well that is about the only thing Nick and I have done since being married and usually we went and watched a movie!!! But, times are changing....
that is funny - i hope you gave him a hard time about rock band vs jesus!! we both did family presents for the first 4 years we were married - and ALWAYS got the same thing!! now we take turns - that elf on a shelf thing is pretty cool - check it out at a bookstore, they might not get it yet, but i am going to have fun!! abby had so much fun yesterday with davis:-) a big breakfast is a good idea - there's too much 'real' food around that time anyway;-)
kimberly erin - tell us how to make a gingerbread house?? do you make the walls and roof yourself??
we made a homemade one once. Stayed up till 3 in the morning because we had to bake the walls twice. One year I did the glue and cinnamon walls and everything was totally inedible that year. Other times we have used kits and added our extra stuff to it.
I've discovered however you do it is fun. Whether all from scratch or from a box. It's the actual getting the girls together to do it that's fun.
Oh, Kat wanted to add her own tradition to the mix. Her and anna sneak into the living room very early in the morning. Kat has the rule of not touching anything only looking. I think Anna broke that rule this year. She doesn't have the self-control that Kat does. this is Katharyn's favorite tradition.
Hi Jennifer!
I'm so excited to find your blog. Can I put you as one of my friends?
Stacey Johnson
I am ready for a new post jen!!!! lol - really! What is Elf on a Shelf??
I'm totally agreeing with your sister in law!!!!!!!!!
it's not July anymore!!!!
Let's talk bad about Zaxbys
Hey - we are going to Lake Bottom or Cooper Creek this week if you want to join us on Tuesday at 10:30. Let me know if you want to go and I'll let you know which one for sure. I think after this week we are going to go to Cooper Creek everyweek.
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