Christmas 2014 // traditions

 

This Christmas we're shifting. We're settling, we're growing, we're taking it all in, we're preparing. This is our first Christmas with the same last name and the last Christmas as a family of 4. 

Husband and I have been living together for a few years so we've been slowly making our own Christmas traditions (or at least talking about them) but this year especially I am thinking about it more, about what I want our children to remember. I want there to be consistency, I want them to have traditions to look forward to and eventually I want them to maybe even carry them on. 

Around our home this year are the beginnings of our family traditions and it makes me so happy I can't even tell you. 

On the walls I've hung some stockings that I fought the sewing machine over. My family never really did stockings but Nick has always had one and I think they're a wonderful addition. 

Inside the stockings are another new tradition. My family always celebrates Christmas Eve, it's bigger than Christmas and it's so special to me. We would always go to my grandparents place, sing carols, eat a delicious dinner and open a few presents. I want to keep doing that, make Christmas Eve special with my family, let my children open the presents that are in their stockings and make sure there are always a pair of new PJs in there.

We aren't a religious family. Nick especially isn't religious but I still have some love for the church. We always had a nativity scene or advent candles in our house when I was younger and I want to carry that on too. I love the message of Christmas, the one that makes family and giving and peace and new beginnings important. I want to teach that to our children, to sit around the dinner table with our advent candles lit and tell stories of Christmas and maybe even of Christ.

I think most families have this one but putting the tree up on the first of December will always be a tradition at our house. I so love a colour coordinated tree but I'm dreaming of a tree covered in hand made ornaments and memories of Christmases before. Also there must ALWAYS be a hedwig watching over us from our Christmas tree. 

Making our dogs apart of Christmas will always be important to us. With Baby on the way I get worried now and then about how they'll cope and if they'll feel neglected. We've made the decision to make dogs a big part of our lives and I don't ever want to go back on that. You hear that Noodle and Muggsy?! We love you long time.

I'm such a traditionalist. Give me wreaths on the door and candy canes hidden in real trees, gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies, presents for everyone and food for days. I'm off to bake something and make a Christmas candle or two.