A Christmas Traditions List

Ahhhh...traditions, I'm a real sucker for them.  There's nothing I love more than having set things to look forward to every holiday season.  It makes things that much more magical to me!  I'm also one of these weird detail orientated freaks who loves to know what other people do.  Like I'm the weirdo who asks my coworker what they ate for dinner the night before and dives into their childhood memories ...some might call it nosy, I call it curious.

My love of traditions and knack for being nosy has collided together with this holiday post.  I asked people what their holiday traditions are to compile a list of ideas to share.  Whether you are actively looking to start traditions and need some inspiration, or you just like to know whats what with everyone else out there....I got you covered.

First I'm going to start with my own holiday traditions.....

Festive Friday

I don't think holiday clothing should be just for Christmas Day and Ugly Sweater Parties.  Extend the holiday spirit by wearing it all  month long!  I instated "Festive Friday" at my job.  Every Friday the whole office (well....the fun ones) all wear our Christmas gear.  Ont the last Friday, the office is open but nobody really comes in so we take it a step further and wear our PJs

Christmas Crumb Cake

The first Christmas after my parents divorce it was just my mom, myself, and my older sister just above me.  I made crumb cake for Christmas morning for something light to eat while we opened gifts (well, as light as a cake laden in butter can be at least) and going forward....it just stuck.  Now Christmas morning wouldn't be the same without it.  Even though we all live apart now, I still make it every year and see that they get a small pan to take home.

Christmas Crumb Cake

Tour the Trees

Growing up we spent all our holidays with my dads side of the family. While I could do without most of the traditions (the Christmas morning talent show starring all 467 cousins.....hard pass) one that I really loved was Tour the Trees.  In place of our normal Sunday dinners at my Grandparents house, we spent Sundays going to all the different aunts and uncles houses to see their houses all decorated for Christmas.  Each house put out appetizers and I just remember thinking it was so much fun.  Some Sundays we doubled up and did two families based off what side of town everybody lived in (we were pretty spread out so it was easier to lump the East side houses together into one night so there was less driving each week)  This isn't something I continued but would love to in the future with my sisters.

Adult Dinner

It's not as XXX as the name may sound. This is another tradition from my childhood that I have only done once but I think is a good idea.  Each year all the aunts and uncles had an adult Christmas dinner party.  It was literally the only gathering of the year where all the 7464373 cousins werent running around.  They ate dinner and had a white elephant gift exchange. I just always liked the idea of them having their own little party. 

Cousin Sleepover

The first Saturday of December for the last 6 years or so I have had my nieces over for a sleepover. The activities have varied a little over the years but a few of them seem to have become staples.  We go look at Christmas lights, play games, do our nails, and watch movies.  It's casual and relaxed but always fun.  I look forward to it every year!

One of my nieces at the very first sleepover

Boozy Bike Ride

I started this tradition myself 4 years ago.  On Christmas I get on my bike with a drinky drank in hand (cup holder actually) and peddle around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights.  Sure, you could do this any night of season, but I find it to be extra magical on Christmas Eve. You smell the food of people cooking their holiday feasts, hear the laughter and bustle of people gathering to celebrate with their families and friends....it can't be beat.  And when I really like the decor of a house, I ring my little bell at them. This year I'm taking it a step further and leaving small thank you card print outs with a candy cane left in their mailbox.  I thought it would be nice to let people know that their effort is appreciated and enjoyed.

Also, last year my friend and coworker made me a shirt for my birthday to wear for my bike ride.  It says "Too Lit to Quit" and I absolutely adore it!

*Of course, this idea can be made more family friendly. Swap the booze for some hot chocolates to go and round up the kiddos.*

Our Tradition Is There's No Tradition

I was never a fan of the idea of repeating the old ham, turkey, mashed potato business for Christmas dinner.  Instead, my family does something new each year.  We'e done Mexican food, Greek, Spanish tapas, soups in bread bowls, southern food.....you name it! It's really fun to have the tradition of variety...if that makes sense.  It's really fun getting the chance to write a new  menu every year.

The Razr Box

My very first cell phone waaay back in 2006 was a pink Razr cell phone.  My mom saved the box as it was a good size for small Christmas gifts.  She wrapped a gift in it that year and every year since.  Now it has become it's own tradition. Whoever gets a gift from her in that box has to give it back to her so she can use it the next year.  It's just a silly little tradition but I find it funny.

BLT for Santa 

In my family, we never left Santa cookies, he always got a BLT. My mom used to say that he was sick of sweet stuff and would be happy to have a sandwich instead.  I of course didn't put two and two together that BLTs were my dads favorite...

The first Christmas that The Boy and I were together he got me this BLT ornament and it has become one of my favorites because if its meaning behind it.

Enough of mine, here are some traditions other people submitted to me

"I put an advent calandar out every year I made that has little envelopes with every day of December. I put candy, small toy or note with what we will be doing that day in each one (visit Santa, look at lights, things like that)"

"The whole extended family gets together as a group to go cut down our Christmas trees."

"We eat Mexican Food every Christmas Eve"

"I start baking cookies in early November and freeze them to giveaway in cute packaging to family/friends/coworkers."

"Every 1st weekend of December is Grinchmas in our house.  We make a roast (roast beast) and hash brown casserole (Who hash) and watch the Grinch. My Christmas Decorations are all Grinch, we love him."

"Christmas Eve we watch movies and I make appetizers to snack on all day."

"My husband and I take a picture in front of our Christmas tree each year in our Christmas pajamas, which is probably my favorite tradition.  When our dog was with us he was in the pictures too so to have so many of him is everything! And now of course the baby.  Such a fun way to see how everyone changes."

"Every Christmas Eve we go out to eat at a diner."

"We do a themed Christmas each year.  We've done sports, Grinch, A Christmas Story, and match the food to whatever it is that year."

"I thrift a mixture of Christmas and non Christmas books, 25 of them for 50c-$1.  They get to unwrap and read one each day in December."

"Christmas morning my brother and I knew we were allowed to come out of our rooms and downstairs to begin opening presents when we heard Christmas music playing throughout the house."

"We open our presents at midnight.  I'm not really sure why, we just always have LOL"

"We always have cinnamon rolls for breakfast before opening presents and going to church."

"Every year my kids and I bake a cake and sing Jesus happy birthday lol  They love that!"

"On Thanksgiving night I give my daughter new Christmas pajamas and other small Christmas items like chapstick and a small toy or book.  It's a fun way to kick off Christmas season"