Holiday Traditions

Day Break- a new day and new traditions

My family doesn't have a holiday or Christmas tradition. We don't make specific dishes, or open presents on Christmas Eve, and we may or may not put up a Christmas tree, it depends on how much energy those who want one put into it. 

The one thing we always do is have a big Christmas dinner with all of the siblings that are close by (my brother's in Halifax so it generally doesn't come) and then we watch a movie. The movie thing is fairly new, we seem to do it after every big dinner.

I love it, my family is not quite when we watch a movie, we're yelling at the characters, laughing and just having a good time. It really feels like quality time.

However, there are some traditions that I wouldn't mind adding to our lone dinner and a movie. I got this idea from Hello Neverland and thought I would list out some that maybe I would start doing in the future, next year maybe. *smile*

Baking Cookies

I love the idea of baking at Christmas time, I'm a big fan of desserts so cakes and cookies and all things creamy and good are right up my alley. Baking to give to co-workers and friends is also nice. There is just something about making food for family and friends that touches you, even though it may feel like a chore while you're toiling in the kitchen, we you seem people enjoy the work of your hands it leaves you feeling nice.

Buy a special ornament each year

I have a co-worker who does this with her daughters, their both in University and I'm certain that they've amassed a ton of different ornaments. This is a great way to remember each year, the ornament can represent their mark from that year for future years to come. It's also nice as you're decorating your tree to go through the ornaments and remember the memories attached to it. 

Christmas Eve sleep over

I imagine this as everyone in their pyjamas making hot chocolate with marshmallows and playing board games deep into the night. The older family members may be drinking something a little stronger but everyone is participating, competition may run rampant but overall it's a good time for both the young and the old.

Charity

This one , I think is a great way to give back. It allows you to step back from the over consumption that you're surrounded with at Christmas time and focus on those who don't have. You may work in a soup kitchen on Christmas day or maybe you help out at a food bank preparing baskets to give out. The true spirit of Christmas is giving, and supporting, with all the noise that generally surrounds us around this time of year it can be easy to forget and lose touch and focus.

I've got a few more knocking around in my brain but I think I'll stick to these ones for now. There is time to add more traditions later, first I need to get started on these.

What are your favourite Christmas or Holiday traditions?