Christmas 2018 top ten (actually eleven) traditions

Christmas holds a lot of traditions for our family; probably more than we even know. This year we added some and dropped others.  Here are our favorite traditions from this year's Christmas season.

Christmas Eve with cousins

One of the best parts of Christmas is cousins coming to visit or just being around more.

A Christmas Movie

We usually hit a movie during the break. This year it was the Grinch movie. It was meh.

The Nativity

This one we've been doing forever. It funny, how it's changed so much, especially with kids getting older.

New Tradition: Caroling with cousins and friends

This was never actually on the schedule. This spontaneously came about; it was a combination of cousins and friends being around for the nativity activity and us still doing neighbor gift deliveries. Regardless, the kids had a super fun time.

Two Christmas Trees

This is our 2nd year having a 2nd tree for the kids. It's a fake and the kids get to decorate it themselves. But clearly, someone short was decorating it because of the concentrated area of the decorations.

[caption id="attachment_2356" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Notice how most of the decorations don't go above 3 feet.[/caption]

Getting a live Christmas tree

Megan has insisted on getting a live tree every Christmas we've been married. The first year we chopped down our own. It was a disaster. Ever since, we just gone to Home Depot or Costco. This year, we tried a new source. It did not disappoint.

Going to Nanny and Papa's house on Christmas Eve

We used to go to Megan's parents on Christmas Eve, Then Christmas morning, then again Christmas evening for a party. It was a little crazy. Now, it's only Christmas Eve.

One interesting moment was Gideon's negative reaction to his Grandparents' "experience" gifts. In his words, "A thing lasts forever, but experience gifts only last a couple hours!" He eventually calmed down and told Nanny he was excited.

For the last several years, Megan's family has enjoyed re-arranging Nanny's Christmas decorations. "Be Evil" and "Be Vile" were pretty obvious. "Eve Bile" and "Eel Vibe" were more creative.

Gideon's 'wheat thins' box wrapping

All the kids get gifts for each other every year. It's really endearing. However, Gideon refused to wrap his presents, so, Christmas Eve, Megan tossed his gifts into wheat thin boxes and labeled them. Done and done.

Christmas Sunday outfits

Megan always puts together such smart outfits for the kids. We always take a picture on the front door step.

Reece's Present

Harper bought Reece a lion outfit. Reece's favorite animal is turtles, but I think this was the more affordable option.



[caption id="attachment_2380" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Poor Hudson - left out of the party[/caption]

Reading together on Christmas Eve

This is one of my favorite things. We love making a fire on Christmas Eve (after visiting Megan's parents).



We didn't ever get to see all the Christmas Light houses. Maybe that tradition is over.