Tradition

Starting a new family also means we get to start some of our own holiday traditions... I'm still trying to work our what ours will be. I know a tradition is made over many years (after all, tradition is defined as something passed down from generation to generation, a continuing pattern, etc) and I shouldn't worry about inventing the wheel in one day here, but it's exciting to think about starting something that will be continuing when Violet is old enough to understand Christmas and she can look forward to certain things always happening.

So in that line of thinking, what are some of your family's favorite holiday traditions?

I thought we'd be starting the Christmas custom of trekking to the tree farm and sipping hot cocoa as we merrily bickered over which tree to chop down and haul home for decorating. Alas, my type of Christmas tree (Fraser Fir) doesn't grow here in Georgia. So we started the new tradition of driving a few blocks across town to our local Lowes to pick one out. (Mild bickering still ensued.) So much for that idea. But I grew up with real, live trees, and Fraser Firs at that, so I guess I'm still carrying on that tradition.

Funny how things get stuck in our heads... it just wouldn't be Christmas with a fake tree (although I know many people who sport perfectly lovely fake trees). The year my mom misguidedly decided to go fake, my brother and I revolted in horror and insisted Christmas would be ruined if she didn't return it immediately to the store and do penance at the local Lowes. (She admits it was her dumbest idea to date.)

Now that I have a child of my own, I need to decide about the whole Santa thing. Here's the deal: I never believed in Santa. I don't know if my parents just didn't encourage the fantasy or I was too practical of a child to really believe there was a jolly old guy who managed to hit every chimney in the world in a few short hours. But part of me wishes I had believed, so I'm bound and determined to make sure Violet does. So here's the question: should "Santa" wrap the presents? Should there be special Santa paper that only he wraps in? Should the presents just be displayed in all their glory under the tree come Christmas morn? At my neighbor's house, Santa leaves three unwrapped gifts. At other homes, he leaves one giant present. Still other people have wrapped presents from jolly old St. Nick. So many options! What does Santa do at your house?

And don't even get me started with the whole Elf on the stinkin' shelf! I had no intentions of starting this tradition until I realized every single kid at my elementary school has an Elf at home, and most teachers have them in the classrooms. Violet can't be the only one without! But while some elves are content to just move from place to place each night, others are mischievous. The Elf next door has been known to make hot chocolate in the middle of the night, toilet paper the boys' rooms and swing from the chandelier. Good grief!

So I ask again, what are some of your favorite traditions for this time of year? Do you get a new ornament every year, or perhaps a special pair of PJs on Christmas Eve? Is there a favorite food you look forward to, something that only appears this time of year? Do you look forward to the Christmas Eve candlelight service or a live Nativity display? Perhaps you enjoy driving around your neighborhood gazing at (and criticizing) the decorations. I'm eager to find out what customs you take part in!