Our Family Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a magical time at our house. With two little kids, there’s lots of excitement, anticipation and family traditions that just can’t be missed.

And as a mom, I work hard to make sure my kids don’t notice the endless to-do lists, the holiday drama or the seemingly frantic pace at which I am sometimes moving.

When they look back on their childhoods, I just want them to remember the magic. The family. The love. The joy.

Here are a few Christmas traditions we do with our kids to help them find the magic of the season.

1.ELF ON THE SHELF

We started this tradition in 2009 with John. He named his elf  "Elfie" and this year we have received another helper from Santa and Brayden has named him "Bubbles". Every year the day after Thanksgiving our elves come with a North pole Breakfast that consists of snowballs, reindeer kisses, hot chocolate and sometimes even a little surprise.

2. CHRISTMAS PICKLE

This will be our third year doing this tradition. I have heard two versions of this tradition...The version that we do is that the parents hide this on Christmas Eve and which ever child finds the pickle first on Christmas morning gets to open the first present. The second version I just recently heard about is that you leave the pickle out with a note for Santa to hide it and the first child to find it opens the first gift. 

How cool is that...The kids love it and so do we!!

3. A MESSAGE FROM SANTA

We have done this since 2008 John loves it and has only been put on the Naughty list once...(and he cried) If you haven't heard of the Portable North Pole you can check it out here. It is a personalized message from Santa and his elves. I don't want to give all the magic away, but I promise you and your family will love it!!

4. DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Growing up my mom always decorated the tree while we were at school (and I can see why), and when we got home we would oooo and ahhhh over the ornaments. I am not a stay at home mom like my mother was, so decorating the tree while the kids are at school is not an option...so we decorate the tree as a family and I LOVE IT!!  Who knew something so simple as decorating a tree could bring so much happiness.

5. PAJAMA'S ON CHRISTMAS EVE

This tradition started when my mother was a child and I hope that my children and their children will carry this on for generations. On Christmas Eve night everyone opens a brand new pair of pajamas, and on Christmas morning you look all snazzy in your new jammies for pictures!

Merry Christmas from our family to ours...your kids are sure to remember the magic of Christmas when you build your family traditions.

XOXO

Alana