I am so into the Christmas season this year. You would think last year would be the year I was ready for Christmas but apparently 2021 takes the cake. A lot has happened in the past few years and it’s reminded me of a few things. 1. To enjoy every moment of life. From the shared morning coffee to the movie at home. 2. To keep traditions alive, no matter what changes. and 3. To be willing to create new traditions as things do change.
My Christmas traditions have been pretty consistent all my life. At the same time, the past 5 years have had a lot happen, which has certainly altered my Christmas traditions quite a bit. Christmas can be a time of year now that I get a little sad about. As you get older the same people aren’t there anymore. You also may add some people to the season that change your traditions a little too. Because of all that, I wanted to share some of my Christmas traditions. Some that may have changed, some that stayed the same, and I’d love to add some new ones that you may have to the next few years of my life!
Christmas Traditions that have Stayed the Same
- Chocolate Advent Calendar leading up to Christmas – Every year my Omi would buy all the grandkids an advent calendar to enjoy the countdown till Christmas. Even when I was in college she would send me an advent calendar. Now that she’s passed away my mom has picked up the tradition of buying them for me and my cousins. Even Michael joins in the tradition now.
- Receiving a Christmas ornament as a present – Another tradition started by my Omi & carried on by my mom. Ever year there’s one present we can always count on being under the tree, an ornament. That way when we moved out one day we would be able to decorate our own tree. And let me tell you, my tree is not bare.
- Christmas light watching – This one has progressed over the years. I remember driving around my neighborhood as a little girl to look at Christmas lights. Now it more of just enjoying them on the drive to work in the morning or on the way home from a basketball game.
- Opening stockings before church & presents after – My dad is a pastor so Christmas day always worked a little differently for us. We always open stockings first thing in the morning, before my dad left for church. Then after we go to church we wait for my dad to come home to open presents together as a family. While this has changed slightly for me as I take on some of Michaels traditions too, we still have the same general Christmas schedule at my house. Which has worked out nicely because while everyone is at church, we can go to Michaels families for Christmas.
Though some of these people to start these traditions have moved on, my family has done a great job at keeping them alive. I hope they continue to do so no matter what changes in life may come.
Christmas Traditions that have Changed
- Going to Christmas Eve Worship – I now spend Christmas eve with Michaels family and enjoy a feast at Nana’s!
- Going to Christmas Day Worship and getting to sit with my dad (best part) – This is a recent change for me. But now instead of church I go to Michael’s house while they do presents. But the beauty of covid is, they stream the service so it’s almost like I’m still there.
While there might not have been a ton of things that have changed, they were traditions that were a part of my life for over 20 years. It’s not to say I will never do these things ever again, it’s simply just gotten a little bit harder because of new traditions and people that come into your life.
New Traditions
While some traditions change and fade, it’s fun to enjoy the new traditions that come with it! Since Michael and I have met we’ve been fortunate to live near both our families. Therefore we get to partake in both family traditions together, as well as create our own as a couple. Here are some traditions I’ve added to my holiday calendar.
- Christmas brunch a week before.
- Christmas Eve dinner at Nanas
- Spending time with both our families (whatever it may look like that year!)
- Opening our presents to each other Christmas night after we’ve come home from visiting with family.
As things continue to change from year to year each holiday season, I look forward to the new traditions I get to make. I’m especially looking forward to being in a new home next Christmas to make even more new traditions! If you are looking for a home this holiday season, Compass Real Estate, Erin E King MBA, REALTOR®️, is a trustworthy realtor wanting to help! He’s especially great if you’re looking for an Avondale homes for sale. AND to top it off, he’s a Ramsey Endorsed Local Real Estate Provider in Jacksonville, Florida. (Which if you didn’t know, it’s thanks to Dave Ramsey that I’m out of debt!) What are some holiday traditions you have? I’d love to try a few!
