It has always been the focus of holdiays past to carry on traditions within a family, and our family is no different than any other! Sometimes traditions seem to take on a twist to "pull it off" but, none the less traditions still thrive and grow here in the heart of our family. As I drove the mountain pass yesterday I reflected on what some of our favorite family traditions are and thought was a great topic for a blog post! So here is a sampling of what makes the Holidays the Holidays in our family:
*Of course baking & decorating the infamous sugar cookies!! (Reb's favorite!!)
*A new ornament for each family member representing a big event in our lives the past year! This year was Turkey hunting ornaments to represent the "rite of passage hunt" in Oklahoma.
*Christmas Eve Candle light service followed up by unwrapping PJ's and games.
*The Family Sledding Party in Walden on the School hill!!
*Family pictures!!
*Playing Santa... We pick a family to play Santa for each year then go spend a $100.00 spoiling them:stuffing stockings, making reindeer tracks, boxing up a Chirstmas meal, and a present for the family under their tree! So far we've succeded in surprising lots of special people and not being attacked by dogs!!
*The Ho, Ho, Ho sack... My nieces and nephews LOVE the Santa sack, a muslin bag with sequins HO, HO, HO written on it! We fill the bag with presents, then the weekend prior to Christmas make the rounds delivering our goodies to family and friends on our Christmas lists! The boys sport Santa hats and sing carols then share their gifts for those we love and cherish! This is our longest lasting tradition to date and everyone loves to see the HO, HO, HO sack on its' way!!
*My favorite... Christmas Cards and letters! The one chance a year to catch up with so many friends and families we hear from just once a year!!
*My boys favorites...The Christmas Pickle... An old European tradition where a glass pickle ornament is hid in the tree the morning of Christmas. Whoever finds the Pickle gets a special present, generally something sweet and tasty!!
This is only a brief list of our family favs... I'd love to hear what traditions our friends and family share so post here on my blog for a extra special holiday treat to come your way!! Thanks for sharing!!