Parents Talk: What Are Your Holiday Traditions?
Share your family's traditions with us.
We all remember some holiday traditions from when we were kids.
When I was a kid, one of my favorites was arguing with my brothers about who got to hang the beloved ornament on the tree. The "Mouse House," as we called it, was special because inside a mushroom was a family of mice, each doing their own thing. We would stick a lightbulb inside the house from a string of lights so you could see what was going on inside.
I know, I know, that sounds pretty lame. But it's just one of those things that sticks with me. With all that's going on in the world right now, sometimes it's nice to take a break and think about memories that are simple and happy.
We want to know: What are those traditions that just "stick with you?"
Did your Grandma make you an ugly sweater every year that you were forced to wear? Do you buy your kids matching Christmas jammies? Is there one food item that just makes the holidays complete for you? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
Melissa Saigh
11:03 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
We started a tradition last year when we welcomed our little girl into the world, by waking up Christmas morning in our home! We still travel around the holidays to see family and friends, but we plan on having our daughter Linna wake up in her bed and opening her gifts, under her tree on Christmas morning:) When I was little, we were always driving back home on Christmas Day, so we want to make sure we have something special at our home for our little one!
Becky Glander
11:12 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Linna will be so much fun this year, Melissa! Have a blast :)
Wendy Erlien
11:43 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Each year, we have this one completely horrible book that we "gift" to someone else. It's been making the rounds for more than 10 years --- and I'm hoping I'm not the recipient this year!
Becky Glander
12:24 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Oh yeah- we have one of those too! It's my grandpa's sock. And we're supposed to add something obnoxious each year. Does anyone else have a tradition like that?
Mandy Meisner
12:24 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
There is NO Christmas music allowed in our house (Dad's orders), until the " first official Chirstmas song is played" which is always "We Need a Little Christmas" by the New Christy Minstrels.
We blare "the first song" and dance around the living room, this is immedaitely followed by decorating the tree and drinking cold eggnog.
Caitlin Burgess
1:01 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
When I was little, my sister and I would always wake up early Christmas morning. Our parents would let us crawl into bed with them, but we had to lay quietly until at least 8 a.m. before heading down to our stockings and presents. When the time came to go down, my dad always went first to make sure Santa had come, then he would summon us and the fun would begin. We all opened presents one at a time.
Serena Steffenhagen
1:38 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
We have 4 childrens and when the oldest was 4 or 5 Santa began leaving one large gift for all 4 kids to share. But he would hide it and leave clues, in the form of rhyming poems, that would lead them to the gift. The first clue is left by their stockings leading to the next clue, and so on for a total of 5 or 6 clues. Our oldest is now 21 and spending this Christmas in Cairo. We are hoping to Skype so she'll be able to participate. Mrs. Claus also gets into the act by leaving a picture book by each child's bed for them to find and keep them occupied until (at the earliest!) 6:30 a.m. Each child now has a wonderful collection of beautiful picture books to accompanying them into adulthood.
Heyitsme
11:15 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
My dad, would have us girls (no brothers) get ready, teeth, hair and dressed (no PJs) and before we could come downstairs to open the gifts. Before we got off the steps, we stood on the steps in birth order (mom in front) and have the official picture taken before we could come down.