Photography: Mary McCarty

Happy Wednesday! Today I wanted to share some of my families Christmas traditions with you! Since my mom was just in town with us to celebrate the holidays, her and I were able to enjoy some of our favorite activites that we’ve done through the years. If you missed my post on her surprise gift to see The Nutcracker Ballet, you can read it here!

 

 

Growing up you never really realize that your Chrsitmas is different than other families. It’s so fun comparing how my family celebrated and how Williams did, and now we get to pick which traditions we will carry on as well as new ones we will start.

 

Weeks Leading Up To Christmas:

 

The weeks leading up to Christmas are often filled with some of the sweetest memories. As we prepare for the most wonderful time of the year, there are a few things that we love to do

 

1. Sugar Cookies

This is a tradition that my Mama experienced with her Mother and passed on to me. We bake sugar cookies and decorate them while listening to Christmas music! While my Mom was in town we were able to check this one off our list for the year, we had so much fun reminiscing on years past 🙂

 

2. Christmas Cards

One of my favorites! I love recieving Christmas cards, but I love sending them even more!! I will be doing a post on ours soon ( I want people to recieve them before I share all of the photos 🙂 ) But here is ours from last year! It is such a fun way to send a yearly update to those close to our hearts but are not able to see often. Last year I ordered at least 5 extra for our future kids to have and I did the same this year! (Hopefully we don’t have more than 5 babies hahah )

 

3. Christmas Movies

I could watch these alllllll year long! Some of my favorites are actually Hallmark movies! One that I watch every year no matter what is “On Strike For Christmas” on Lifetime. It’s not as sweet as all of the Hallmark ones but it is absolutley hillarious! I also love The Grinch and Christmas With The Kranks.

 

Christmas Eve:

 

1. Christmas Eve Service at church

Always my favorite! I love when they incorporate traditional Hymns and especially enjoy a candle lit Christmas Eve service. I was actually in the Childrens Choir for a few years growing up! I was soooo excited when I got to play the bells! But Christmas Eve service is the perfect way to remind your heart the reason we are actually celebrating Christmas!

 

2. Christmas Pajamas

I listed lots of fun Christmas PJ’s in yesterdays post and talked about our fun tradition which you can read, here!

 

3. Track Santa & Put Out Reindeer Food

If you have little ones, this is fun! I remember putting out Reindeer food a few years growing up. You can just mix some steel cut oats and glitter & put it in a plastic bag! Then go outside once it gets dark and let the kids sprinkle it in the grass (if you’re lucky, you can sprinkle it in the snow!!). And don’t forget to put out the cookies and milk for Santa!

 

Traditions I want to start:

 

1. Gingerbread decorating contest

I think this would be so fun to do with a big family or a group of friends!

2. Ice Skating

Growing up in Chicago, a group of friends and I would usually take the train downtown and go Ice Skating at millennium park at some point during the Holidays! I think Will and I may try to go while we are up in North Carolina for Christmas!

3. The Nutcracker Ballet

This has become a tradition for me, but I want to continue it! It is such a magicial night to get you in the Christmas spirit!

 

Now, what are some of your family traditions or one you would like to start this year?! Leave me a comment below!

 

Have the BEST day ever!!

RW