Christmas Traditions

Holiday Barb · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2004, 07:31 AM

I wanted to share with you an experience last year. I was looking for a way to make the holidays special for my daughter. Celebrating alone with her has been trying over the past years...not the same as celebrating with both parents.

So I was looking for activities and a way to engage her with more than a present exchange. I decided to get a real tree for the first time in years. I found a tree farm nearby on the internet (realchristmastrees.org). The experience of driving to the farm, choosing and tree and decorating it let us bond in a way that we haven't for years. I'm glad we took the extra time to get a real tree...it wasn't really the tree, but the experience and time spent together. It made the holidays happier for me.

B

EMMJEAN · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-2004, 12:05 PM

Welcome to Family Corner Barb. What a wonderful tradition for you and your Daughter. We have so many tradition it would take to long to type them all out. We have combined Dh and mine, and made some new ones for our two children. From who carves the turkey to reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Christmas is my favorite holiday. My husband says I over decorate but I believe there can never be to many bows, bells, wreaths or anything else for that matter. And don't get me started on twinkle lights. I more every year.

DisneyDel · #3 (**permalink**) 11-25-2004, 09:09 PM

What a wonderful way to spend some pre-Holiday quality time with your DD Barb!

I'll bet she's looking forward to it as much as you are!

leasmom · #4 (**permalink**) 11-27-2004, 01:45 PM

We really don't have one. One year when my mom was here we took a walk on Xmas day. That was fun but last year we didn't do anything we went with my sister and her friends house and had a traditional English Xmas there.

I too am a single mom and this year my mother will be here but it would be nice to have some type of tradition.

I have made Banana Nut Bread for the past few years, and my sister last year had a wreath made out of crossaints filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and cheese and baked. It was good. We served it with orange juice and coffee. I like to have honey buns or something too...

I know for sure I'm gonna have Banana Nut bread and may try doing the wreath though I can't eat either one, I'm low carb. Well have to see...

Holiday Barb · #5 (**permalink**) 11-29-2004, 08:04 AM

LeasMom,

The banana bread tradition is a wonderful idea, they say that our smell memory last longer than any other sense, so the aromas we create associated with the holidays -- banana bread or cookies or pine scent -- will evoke hopefully happy memories when our children are older and they might even pass along those traditions to their children.

Holiday Barb

leasmom · #6 (**permalink**) 11-29-2004, 12:04 PM

My mom did Pancake breakfast for Xmas but I like banana nut bread. I try to make that morning special if no other meal that dad is.

KatieFlowers · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2004, 07:20 AM

I thought at this time of the season, it would be fun to see what Christmas Family Traditions some of us have.

Our was visiting all our relatives on perspective days before Christmas, a big company party the Borden company put on for all the employees and families with big present for all the kids and every year it was a big circus with clowns and elephants and the ususal. That will stick in my memory for the rest of my life. Thats when companies like Bordens were very prosperous ~post war~ Making cookies with mom and seeing them on the stairs in boxes and boxes. Helping mom mail out 250 or more Christmas cards....yea! Postage was only 3 cents then. I'm talking the 50's here. Putting up a real tree. Dad had to do that and put the lights up, even if he wasn't too happy about it. I must have a picture of every tree from every year! Remember too going to JL Hudson company in downtown Detroit on the 13th floor to see Santa, (What a beautiful place that was) and later taking my nieces there myself at such a young age clear across town without fear. The parade on Thanksgiving was absolutely breathtaking too. Never missed it. Then there of coarse is Christmas morning. So wonderful !

Love to hear about your Christmas Family traditions........its fun talking and remembering!!!!

Merry Christmas all

Carolyn