Merry Christmas!!!
I hope everyone woke up to lots of presents under the tree, and stockings filled with more than just coal. 😉 (Although, I know getting presents isn’t what Christmas is all about.)
Growing up I remember always having a pretty good Christmas. We would usually go to my step-dad’s side of the family first. All the cousins would come over, and there would be food galore. I loved all of the desserts. Even then I knew a good dessert table when I saw one. 😉 We’d later open presents and just hang out, enjoying each other’s company.
After that gathering, we’d head over to my grandparent’s house-on my mom’s side. There we would have more food, and open more presents. Sometimes we’d have other family there, but most often it was just us.
As I got older, my holiday traditions began to change. College, marriages, divorces, shared custody, family obligations, living out of town, work. You know, adult stuff. Over the years I’ve tried to find my own traditions, and to do what has worked for my family. One year we went to Disneyland. Another year I spent Christmas with friends. Last year I went to cookie exchange parties. This year I made tamales with my grandma and aunt.
However, none of these activities are things I do each and every year. In fact, it took me years to realize that I already had my own Christmas traditions. Because really, you don’t know the things you’re doing have become an actual traditions, until you’ve been doing them for years and years.
My christmas tradition is……(drum roll please)……. Going to a movie and then out to eat. (That was a bit anticlimactic, huh?) There is always a fun holiday movie opening Christmas day, and since there is usually just myself and my 2 children for the day, we like to spend time at a movie. Afterwards, we eat out. Typically we go to IHOP, as I know that they’ll be open. (Finding restaurants open on Christmas Day-now there’s a post for next year!) Our day is very quiet and non-stressful. It’s actually very nice.
Seeing a movie on Christmas is not my only tradition. Some other things I do around this time of year…
- I make baklava (although I didn’t this year because of life getting in the way).
- My friends and I exchange ornaments, which we’ve been doing for a handful of years now.
- My kids and I attend Zoolights at the zoo, which we absolutely love!
- We like to attend the Christmas Eve service at church. Last year it rained on us as we sang Silent Night by candlelight. It was perfectly beautiful.
- Make a trip down Christmas Tree Lane.
Through it all, there is one thing in common-time with friends or family. I know that the holidays can sometimes be a difficult time of year for some. There are many people who have lost loved ones during this time, maybe they are far away from their families, or perhaps they just don’t have anywhere to go. In these moments I find it best to remember happy times and the traditions that have developed from those times.
What are some of your favorite family traditions? Are the traditions you had as a child the same you have an as adult?
From my family to yours-Merry Christmas FresYes friends! May your day be filled with love and happiness of the season.
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