Christmas Traditions

Other bloggers are participating in a Festive Bon Bon activity by answering the following list of ten questions. I’m a little late to the party, but I thought I might as well participate. Click on the link to see how other bloggers have answered the questions.

Christmas Tree – Do you have one? If so, when does it go up? Is there a theme, or is it mismatched?

We have five trees!! Two are what you’d consider full size and the other three are small. I have to hold my husband back as he’d put them up in October, if I let him. So, we put them up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Most of our trees have no theme, although this year we did put up one with s’mores ornaments. Some of those ornaments I’ve had for a while, and the rest we found in a Christmas store at the Mall of America when we were there in October. When we saw them there, we thought it would be fun to dedicate one of the small trees to these ornaments. Another small tree has ornaments I made years ago out of fabric and felt.

Our S’mores tree

Christmas Carols – yes or no? Faves? Traditional or modern?

I love Christmas carols, especially the older ones. Some favorites are What Child is This and O Holy Night.

One of the more modern songs I like is Mary Did You Know?

I want to know – when did My Favorite Things become a Christmas song???

Christmas Books – your faves?

Who doesn’t love The Night Before Christmas? Other than that, while I’ve read a few Christmas novels, I can’t think of any that I’d call a favorite. I did kind of like Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, which is the basis for the movie, Christmas with the Kranks.

Christmas Movies – your faves?

I have lots of favorite movies. In fact, I’ve always intended to write a post about my favorite Christmas movies.

I like a combination of old ones – It’s a Wonderful Life – and newer ones – The Holiday. I also like the Santa Clause movies and Home Alone. Recently, I started getting into Elf.

Christmas Cake – yes or no?

Hmmm, not sure if this means fruitcake? I’m not sure if there’s any other kind of Christmas cake. I guess I have to say no.

Chocolate, nuts or fruit?

No contest here. I will always choose chocolate. However, chocolate covered cherries are a favorite of mine. Chocolate and fruit!! I like just about anything that’s chocolate.

Christmas traditions?

There have been several changes in my life the past two years, so traditions are changing. And last year was weird because of COVID. One of our Christmases was through Zoom. I hope that doesn’t become a lasting tradition!!

I’ve written a couple of posts in the past about Christmas traditions. Here they are, if you haven’t read them.

We always get together with Tim’s kids. And the grandkids like to do crafts, primarily painting. I don’t know if Brady will want to do that this year. He’s 9 now and those things aren’t always very exciting anymore. But Carly loves this stuff. I have to have rules around how much glitter is used!!

My family has started coming to our house for Christmas Eve. Before, we went to my mom and dad’s house. But when they started to show their ages, it was an opportunity for us to host. And we go to my sister’s on Christmas Day.

It will be the second Christmas without my mom, but it seems like the first since last year wasn’t normal in any way. But it will also be my grand niece’s second Christmas and I’m sure she’ll provide a lot of entertainment.

Other than that, I can’t say Tim and I have any traditions. We do like to drive around and look at all the lights. And going to Christmas Eve service at church has always been a favorite thing to do.

What’s on your table?

I assume this means food? With Tim’s kids, we’ll have a traditional holiday meal, especially since we didn’t get together for Thanksgiving. So our menu will resemble Thanksgiving. It’s fun to cook and make things that everyone likes. We’ve already had some requests.

We’re going to try something new this year for my family on Christmas Eve, if no one overrides it. A friend of mine said she was having Biaggi’s Pronto Packs for her family Christmas, and I thought that was a great idea. Biaggi’s is a local Italian restaurant and my dad likes their gluten free offerings. The Pronto Packs include enough for 4-5 people and include either pasta, pizza, or an entree, salad, and bread. We’ll need two plus a GF meal for my dad. It will sure make things a lot easier.

Christmas memories

I can’t say that I have one Christmas memory that stands out but over the years, there have been some special times. When I was a kid, we’d go to church and then to our friends’ house on Christmas Eve. My grandparents would come to our house on Christmas day with a trunk full of presents!!

As I’ve gotten older, I remember a few very snowy times, when we weren’t sure everyone could get together. But we always managed to.

I’ve always thought leading up to Christmas was more fun than Christmas itself. I just like the anticipation, the lights/decorations, people’s holiday spirit, and the fun of finding just the right gift for someone. I like to make things for gifts and those are usually the most fun to give.

All I want for Christmas is?

I don’t really need any presents for Christmas in order to feel happy. I guess that comes with age. I just like the time with friends and family. That’s what Christmas means to me.

How about you?

How would you answer the ten Christmas traditions questions?

6 thoughts on “Christmas Traditions”

  1. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s Christmas traditions posts and am glad you joined in! And wow – 5 trees? Then I had to realize I’ve got three. LOL. The “traditional” one with all the ornaments we’ve bought through the years. The antique feather tree went up this year for the first time in over 10 years! I put the antique glass ornaments from our parents on that one. And a little one outside at our front door.

    This year I am trying to start new traditions as we start a new phase of our life. I’m going to go back and read your previous posts on traditions!

    1. I agree that it’s fun to read about everyone’s traditions. Sometimes the littlest things can become important to a family. I know we have some. It’s a great time for you to start some new ones. That’s fun too!! Merry Christmas!!🎄

  2. Thank you so much for joining us. I included a link to your answers in the main body of my post. I’m seriously impressed that you have FIVE Christmas trees. Earlier today, I mentioned to my husband that some respondents put up THREE Christmas trees. I am not sure that he believed me. 😀
    I smiled at your answer about YES to chocolate. I wholeheartedly agree – most things taste better that way.
    Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year!

    1. Thanks so much for adding me to your post. I need to work harder to be timely!!
      Yes, five trees. We’d have more if up to my husband!!

  3. Now that I’m living downsized, we have just one tree (a small ceramic one on the dining table. We give each other an ornament every year so each one has a story to tell, especially since there are FIVE of us!

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