Today I’m getting nostalgic as I share my childhood Christmas traditions with you.
Christmas Traditions
We have a rule in my house. No Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. This was a rule in my household growing up…although my mom tried to push the envelope from time to time.
Actually it was no Christmas music allowed until the weekend before Thanksgiving. If we’re getting technical.
My mom was a teacher and as soon as the school bell rang that Friday before Thanksgiving, my mom could be seen practically running out the door of the classroom. She would be bursting at the seams with excitement to go home and decorate the Christmas tree. She would always start by turning on Amy Grant Christmas CDs full blast on our stereo. I’m talking echoing-through-the-halls-of-the-house loud. I proceeded with being tasked the joy of “fluffing” out the limbs of the tree branches on our fake Christmas tree and she would climb up on the ladder and start putting it all together.
I was always kicking my feet and asking “aw, mom… do I really have to help?!” But there was no rest of the weary until that tree was covered in gold ornaments (or peach as seen below. She was obsessed with peach until circa 1998 or so) from head to toe.
The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas were naturally always jam packed with parties, shopping and wrapping. I used to LOVE wrapping presents for Christmas. I seriously told my mom once that I wanted to be a profession gift wrapper when I grew up, ya know the kind that work in kiosks in the mall. If you’re working on holiday shopping, check out my tips to simplify your Christmas shopping here and over 140+ gift ideas I shared in my gift guides)
On Christmas Eve, we would always attend a candlelight service at church. As we grew older, my sister and I always got seemed to get into trouble playing with the wax from the candles. 🙂
One of my most treasured Christmas traditions of all is sleeping in the tent in the living room on Christmas eve. Yes, you read that right! My dad would set up the tent in the living room. We’d use the dining room chairs as our “post ties” and my brother and I would sleep in the living room! We did this for as long as I remember! It was so fun. This is one I’m definitely going to be carrying on in my family.
Christmas Day mornings always felt a little magical before my parents would get out of bed. I would force my brother to wake up at the crack of dawn. We’d rush from the tent in the living room straight to our stockings from Santa. They’d keep us busy until the parents were awake and the lovely scent of cinnamon rolls filled the air while we opened our presents.
My hubby’s family always had a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas, which is such a cute tradition!
This year my husband and I decided that we’re going to stay put for Christmas because if you have kiddos, you know how to hard it is to travel with a little one…throw in unpredictable weather and a crowded airport and it sounded like a disaster. It’s a little bittersweet because we’ve never been “alone” for the holidays so I’m hoping it doesn’t feel too lonely, but we’re also really excited to start some traditions of our own and carry on some of the traditions from our childhoods. Yes… we will most certainly be sleeping all together in the living room on Christmas eve waiting patiently for Santa.
What are the Christmas traditions in your home? Are there any that you’ve carried with you from your childhood? What new Christmas traditions have you started since you had children? I’d love to hear all about your Christmas traditions in the comments.
I have a wishlist a mile long so I would get a book with this!
A have a few books on my wishlist too! 🙂
I think this time of year is when most people get nostalgic espeically remembering those who are no longer with us.
Yes it’s definitely this time of year. Great to remember all the memories we had with those that have passed away. Thanks for your comment Cathy !
I hope you have a great holiday.
Thanks!! Merry Christmas to you Stephanie! 🙂
One of my favorite holiday traditions is baking and decorating gingerbread men and women cookies with my grandsons. They really enjoy it!
Janet, that sounds like so much fun! I want to come this year, haha! Merry Christmas!
Christmas has so many special memories for me. The one thing that I always love is going to christmas eve service.
Thanks for your comment Shannon! I agree, I love Christmas eve at church! Merry Christmas to you.
My favorite tradition is going cross country skiing on Christmas day with my family.
That sounds like a great tradition! Thanks for sharing Natalie.
Well, Mom started us when sis and me were born to get an ornament every year – and we still do that. But it might be more than one if there is something really good that catches my eye. 🙂
I love this tradition. I bet you love setting up your tree every year and looking at the ornaments from years past. My Grandma used to give my brother and I an ornament every year and I love having those special memories on my tree. Merry Christmas!
I would buy some holiday music.
Gotta love the Christmas music :)! Thanks for your comment Cheryl.
What an awesome bloghop giveaway! Thanks! 🙂
Of course! Best of luck to you in the giveaway.
I’m new to your blog and your family is beautiful. Thank you for sharing them and your adventures with us.
Thanks for giving.
Besos Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Thank you Sarah!! I hope us u have a Merry Christmas !
Christmas can be a wonderful time of memories, traditions, and loved ones.
Thanks for your comment Debra!
I love the living room tent story! What a fun fun memory.
Thank Wendy! I love that tradition. Have a great Christmas!
We have several Christmas traditions that have been carried on since childhood. Playing a game together on Christmas Eve and opening pajamas on Christmas Eve are two of them.
I love games. Thanks so much for sharing your traditions Emily. Merry Christmas.
thank you for the giveaway!
Of course, best of luck to you in the giveaway!
Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
Best of luck to you in the giveaway! Merry Christmas Edye.
I love the Christmas tree and the cute little dog in the photo. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
Thanks for entering Alison. Best of luck to you!
Thank you for an awesome giveaway! Merry Christmas.
Thanks for entering Nicole! Good luck.
This will get me a couple of books on my reading list, thanks for the opportunity! Happy holidays!
You’re welcome Kimberley! Thanks for entering.
What a beautiful photo!
Thanks so much Leela !
love the plus dog on your blog
Thanks Cheryl!
My favorite tradition is the gift exchange and dinner at my parent’s home with the whole family on Christmas Eve!
Thanks for your comment Angela! That sounds like a wonderful tradition! Merry Christmas!
One of my traditions is to get everyone an ornament for Christmas – my siblings, the in-laws, my Mom, and even the nieces and nephews. That way they have something new to hang on the tree every year.
Stacy, that is such a sweet tradition! Thanks for sharing!
That is a beautiful photo! Happy holidays!
Thanks Anne. Merry Christmas!
If I win I see a book order coming. Thank You
Thanks Shirley! best of luck to you in the giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway & Merry Christmas! 🙂
Thanks Desiree, good luck in the giveaway.
Thank you for the giveaway, it’s very generous of you! I’m late entering the hop but you never know!
Glad you got the chance to enter before it closed Cynthia! Best of luck!
My family and I always pick a day near the holidays to bake tons of cookies and decorate them and everything. It’s always fun and great to spend time with the family.
What a fun tradition Deanna! I love cookies 🙂
It will be hard to be away from family, so starting your own traditions will be important. I am blessed to have a lot of my family nearby. My sister has to drive ten hours to get here though, so praying for good weather! We live in the midwest so it makes her nervous to travel. Thankfully her kiddos are old enough to handle the ride without issue. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Thanks for your sweet comment Charity! I hope you have a great Christmas as well.
I hope you enjoy staying home to make memories with your family. We did the same thing when ours were littles….it was so good.
Thanks for your sweet comment Dianna! Hope you have a great Christmas.
I would like to thank you for your involvement in this fine giveaway. Thank you for giving us all the chance. Have a very wonderful holiday season!
Thanks for your comment Jerry. Best of luck to you in the giveaway.