The holiday season is here, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year! There’s nothing better than seeing the joy and wonder of Christmas through your child’s eyes. In our home, we’ve built a mix of beloved traditions and plans for new ones, all designed to create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas or just here to share in the magic, here’s a peek at what makes our Christmas season special!
What We Love to Do Every Year
Decorating the House & Getting a Real Tree: We kick off the season by decorating the house sometime between Black Friday and December 1st. Twinkling lights, garlands, and ornaments make everything feel cozy and festive. We’re all about real Christmas trees—not for the lack of mess (it’s everywhere!), but because the smell is absolutely worth it.
Christmas Light Displays: One of my favorite traditions is loading up the car, cranking up the Christmas music, and heading to light displays. As a kid, my parents took me to the one near Silver Lake, and now I can’t wait to share that magic with Leah. This year, I’m hoping to visit Snowflake Lane in Bellevue, and one day, we’ll make the trek to Leavenworth. (Here’s a map of light displays, events, and activities across the state if you want to explore too! Christmas Activity Map 2024 - Google My Maps)
Christmas Eve Matching Pajamas: Yes, it’s cheesy, and yes, we fully embrace it. Every few years, we replace or size-up our matching PJs and wear them for a cozy Christmas Eve.
Christmas Morning Traditions: Our morning starts with stockings and gifts from Santa. (Here’s a tip for parents: have Santa bring the smaller, more budget-friendly items. That way, the bigger, more expensive gifts can come from you.) Growing up, I remember wondering why Santa brought my friend an iPod and not me when we asked for the same thing. It’s a small detail, but it can make a big difference throughout your child's life.
New Ideas & Traditions We’re Excited to Try
Crafting & Creating Together: This year, we’re thinking of trying snowflake crafts, and as Leah gets older, we’ll add in decorating ornaments. These small, creative projects are simple, fun, and make great keepsakes for years to come.
Gingerbread Houses: My mom recently decided she wants to start a new tradition of making gingerbread houses with her grandbabies. Now that they’re finally old enough, we’re diving in this year! I love the idea of messy, frosting-covered memories with Leah and her cousins.
Writing Letters to Santa: As a kid, writing letters to Santa felt so magical, and we want Leah to have that same experience. It’s such a sweet way to capture her personality as it grows each year.
A Christmas Eve Storybook Tradition: We’d love to start picking out a new storybook each year to read on Christmas Eve. It doesn’t have to be Christmas-themed—just something special we can share as a family.
What We’re Skipping (and Why)
Forced Santa Pictures: No forced Santa lap photos here. As a photographer, I’ve seen so many meltdown photos that I can’t bring myself to do that to Leah. We’ll wait until she actually asks to visit Santa—and if she doesn’t, that’s okay too! Maybe we'll introduce her to Krampus? (Kidding! Or am I?)
Elf on the Shelf: Elf on the Shelf? Hard pass. Neither Mike’s parents nor mine did this, and honestly, it’s just too much for my mental health. I love the holidays, but not enough to lose sleep and to stress out over what mischief an elf got up to overnight. My coffee and I will be over here, enjoying our normal stress level LOL
Besides, as a Harry Potter fan and fellow Gryffindor, we don’t believe in the enslavement of house elves!
Wishing You a Merry and Magical Season
No matter how you celebrate, I hope your family’s holiday season is filled with joy, laughter, and a sprinkle of magic. Cheers to making memories with your little ones—because those are the gifts that matter most. Happy Holidays!
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