Since Christmas basically hasn’t happened since 2019–and in 2019, we were the sleep-deprived parents of a nocturnal five-month-old–I’m excited to do all the things to celebrate this year.
Our Christmas celebrations actually start tomorrow, as we’re doing a smorgasbord and gift exchange with my dad and stepbrother who are leaving for Europe next week. (My stepfamily is from northern Italy and they celebrate there most years.) Then my sister gets into town later in the week and it’s Operation All Things Christmas from there!
What We’re Doing This Year
- Picked out our Christmas tree and decorated it. Our personal ornaments collection is still in a box on a ship somewhere–but we did invest in a set of full-sized baubles this year (instead of the mini ones we bought fresh out of college) and it’s looking festive in our home.
Our small but lovely tree <3 - Toys for Tots. While grabbing some necessities at Target this weekend, we also picked up a few toys to drop off at our local fire station. Little e helped drop the bag off–I think it’s so important to teach kids to be charitable from a young age, especially around the holidays when he’s about to be bombarded with gifts from our families.
- Rudolph. Remember I’m that weirdo who doesn’t watch TV sooo Rudolph is pretty intense for me, y’all 😛 But I think it’s suitable for toddlers so we’re going to have a family movie night!
- Making cookies with my mom and sister. My sister is visiting from Scotland for almost two weeks and I’m so excited to make ALL our family cookie recipes, just like old times! Especially decorating sugar cookies which the kids can help with too.
- Christmas Eve church service. After several years without going due to pandemic/being overwhelmed first-time parents, we’re headed back to my childhood church this year. No, it won’t be the late-night candlelight service, but the older kids are signed up for childcare and hopefully I can squeeze in a carol or two between nursing sessions 😛
- Christmas dinner with family. The majority of my mom’s family will be around the Twin Cities for Christmas this year so we’re doing our traditional dinner once again. Leg of lamb, ham, popovers, the whole spread… yum.
What I’d Love to Do Next Year
Whilst we’re not able to do as much this year due to having 3 under 4 (yep, it’s a lot :P), I’ve been thinking about easy ways to add a bit more holiday cheer to our December next year! Here are a few of my ideas:
- An advent calendar. Right when I started reading blogs in 2014, several bloggers were making their own advent calendars with different recipes and/or activities for each day. I would love to do that next year, adapted to kid-friendly festivities of course.
- The Landscape Arboretum and/or MN Zoo lights displays. Eric and I have been to the Arboretum lights display a couple of times. It’s so picturesque and a great nudge to get outside and enjoy some fresh air during a time of year when, let’s face it, there isn’t much motivation to do so.
- More baking! Yep, I’m pretty much relying on my mom to do most of the baking this year. I’m aiming to make our favorite gingerbread cookie bars (seriously this is the BEST recipe on Southern In-Law and that’s high praise!) and white chocolate peppermint bark, and that’s it from my kitchen, folks!
But I’d love to know your favorite Christmas traditions–current ones or from your childhood! Please share!
xx Claire