Sitting in a semi-circle, each of us squirming awkwardly, we watched my mother go to work pulling out the traditional Christmas Eve gift she would bestow on each of us. We tried with great effort to keep the flame of holiday joy burning after a long round of extended family holiday partying, and to appear enthusiastic as she merrily and jubilantly handed out the Christmas pajamas we had grown accustomed to receiving, all of us with painted smiles plastered on our faces so as not to seem ungrateful. Oh, and we weren't expected to just receive the pajamas...oh, no. We were to change into and then parade the usually festive and probably flannel sleepwear. Don we now our gay apparel. Full on.
This had long since been the tradition in our house. Which isn't too bad when you're six or even eleven. But guess what? When we were all looking at my teenage brother in footie pajamas that clung to his no longer childlike body like a wetsuit, and watched him shift nervously and then--not too subtly-- cover his toolbox with his hands, it finally registered that these things may have an expiration date. And this one had perhaps outlived it's shelf life. We were no longer children. In fact, I had children of my own.
I didn't blame her for wanting to try to keep the tradition alive; after all, what's the harm in receiving pajamas, right? Well, let's do a quick check. Did we ever wear them again after that one night? No, not often. Were they usually uncomfortable (physically)? Yes. Were they usually uncomfortable (to be seen in, even by other members of the family)? Yes. Was it probably a waste of money? Yes, well at least the last 10 yrs anyway. But did it make my mom happy to give them to us? Absolutely. Which is why we hung with it long into adulthood, much to the chagrin of my husband, who complained of an abnormally sweaty nether region whenever he wore the holiday nighttime ensemble. These days, my mother's other holiday traditions, including everyone watching A Christmas Story, playing a board or card game and slurping some cocoa, are still in full force.
I don't think you can head into this time of year without thinking about traditions past (I have even carried on a version of the pajama tradition with my own children). But I think it's also time for us to think about and establish some new traditions. Traditions that will be special to us and carry my kids through their childhood with great fondness and a sense of family, knowing that time is ticking away with our crew... and especially now that we've settled into the house.
There have been things I have been doing already that can still be incorporated, like making snowflakes with the boys and hanging them up, and the boys--and I--love it, so we will continue with that one for sure. And we always decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving (because we use an artificial tree), which I'm not sure really counts as tradition. As of now, we each contribute, but in random shifts. So maybe I'll add some things to make it feel more like a tradition, like playing Christmas music and nibbling cookies while we all help to decorate together. Yeah, I like it. I think we'll do that this year.
And although we have an artificial tree, I think I'd like to go and pick up a couple of fresh wreaths and make that a regular annual holiday outing. I have to dig around to see where we might go.
I've also seen some really cute ideas floating around for advent calendars, and I want to do one for the little ones, but I would especially love to be able to still incorporate something for the older two as well. I adore this one:
This had long since been the tradition in our house. Which isn't too bad when you're six or even eleven. But guess what? When we were all looking at my teenage brother in footie pajamas that clung to his no longer childlike body like a wetsuit, and watched him shift nervously and then--not too subtly-- cover his toolbox with his hands, it finally registered that these things may have an expiration date. And this one had perhaps outlived it's shelf life. We were no longer children. In fact, I had children of my own.
I didn't blame her for wanting to try to keep the tradition alive; after all, what's the harm in receiving pajamas, right? Well, let's do a quick check. Did we ever wear them again after that one night? No, not often. Were they usually uncomfortable (physically)? Yes. Were they usually uncomfortable (to be seen in, even by other members of the family)? Yes. Was it probably a waste of money? Yes, well at least the last 10 yrs anyway. But did it make my mom happy to give them to us? Absolutely. Which is why we hung with it long into adulthood, much to the chagrin of my husband, who complained of an abnormally sweaty nether region whenever he wore the holiday nighttime ensemble. These days, my mother's other holiday traditions, including everyone watching A Christmas Story, playing a board or card game and slurping some cocoa, are still in full force.
I don't think you can head into this time of year without thinking about traditions past (I have even carried on a version of the pajama tradition with my own children). But I think it's also time for us to think about and establish some new traditions. Traditions that will be special to us and carry my kids through their childhood with great fondness and a sense of family, knowing that time is ticking away with our crew... and especially now that we've settled into the house.
There have been things I have been doing already that can still be incorporated, like making snowflakes with the boys and hanging them up, and the boys--and I--love it, so we will continue with that one for sure. And we always decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving (because we use an artificial tree), which I'm not sure really counts as tradition. As of now, we each contribute, but in random shifts. So maybe I'll add some things to make it feel more like a tradition, like playing Christmas music and nibbling cookies while we all help to decorate together. Yeah, I like it. I think we'll do that this year.
And although we have an artificial tree, I think I'd like to go and pick up a couple of fresh wreaths and make that a regular annual holiday outing. I have to dig around to see where we might go.
I've also seen some really cute ideas floating around for advent calendars, and I want to do one for the little ones, but I would especially love to be able to still incorporate something for the older two as well. I adore this one:
You just pin different ornaments up (and be as fancy or NOT as you want to be) on a pin or cork board. Your kiddos take the ornament for the day and add it to the tree up until Christmas. So sweet.
This one is soooo cute, too!
Cut stocking shapes out of craft paper, glue to cardboard, poster board or whatever's on hand. Decorate each a little or a lot while adding a small goodie inside, and your little elf will be counting down the days to Christmas with you as he or she collects their treats.
This is adorable for those with wee ones.
It's mittens, but you could also use baby socks. How fun! Use fabric paint or glitter glue to add your dates (or even pin on a paper or piece of fabric to each with the appropriate date for something less permanent) and stuff each with a small treat or goodie.
Wow, this is awesome.
Jars tied with ribbon and numbered tags, loaded with whatever you decide! The jars shown include fake snow, an ornament to hang, a small prize (a treat or dollar store goodie) and a special activity for each day. What a great way to make the holiday special. I love the activity of the day idea!
A friend recently suggested this one, and I absolutely LOVE it.
Use books! Wrap a new book for each day and number it, allowing your kids to open a new book--and giving you something new to read to them--every day through Christmas. They'll love their new library long after Santa has packed up his shop.
Perfectly simple.
I love the simplicity and versatility of this one. Clothespins are so cheap and accessible. You can pick up a bag for around a buck, glue them up to a board, and clip whatever you want to each! You can dress it up by adding ribbons, buttons, glitter, etc (or not). Paint it up to match your décor or keep it simple. Clip books, ornaments, a small treat, whatever...and you can make it different for each day. I think I may have just talked myself into this one!
I'm excited to incorporate some new old time traditions. What old traditions do you keep for the holidays? Has anything inspired you to incorporate something new?