It must be this time of year that puts a magic feel in the air. Something about chilly nights, twinkling lights, and sipping hot chocolate… Okay who am I kidding? If your house is anything like mine, it’s the least relaxing atmosphere. Tape and ribbon is flying as I’m trying to wrap last minute gifts, I’ve watched Trolls Holiday at least a dozen times because the baby likes it, and the dog has pulled ornaments off the tree for the last 4 days. At least the stockings are hung by the window.. with care? Whatever. No matter how hectic, and crazy, and busy your holiday season may be.. ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR THE TRADITIONS. Your kids will love them now, and as they get older and the magic of Christmas isn’t as magical, you kids will still crack a smile when they are 15..25..30 and they will remember all the things we as parents did with them, and will someday pass them on to their children. I still remember everything from my childhood, and I plan to carry them on with my daughter. We did the homemade reindeer food (I’ll post recipe below), Christmas Eve Dinner, went for a drive to look at the lights, and then home to watch a movie while drinking hot chocolate. As a kid growing up it was so much fun and so magical knowing that Santa would soon make his arrival. As I got older, it was just as magical, even when I helped mom and dad put the presents under the tree. Now that my boyfriend and I have our daughter we plan to incorporate traditions from both of our families, to instill in her!
Astarita Christmas
Below you will find a list of traditions we plan to start this very year with our daughter. Who are we kidding, these traditions bring us just as much joy. Feel free to try any of these with your family this year.
- Making a gingerbread house (already did last weekend)
- Spend a day making Christmas cookies
- decorating our tree together
- Christmas Eve Dinner (usually lasagna, ziti, ham dinner.. something like that)
- Dunkin’ Run and Driving around to look at Christmas Lights
- Christmas Eve jammies and snuggles while we watch a Christmas movie with the kids
- Milk and cookies left for Santa and the Reindeer food sprinkled on the front lawn
- After the baby is in bed we will put out the presents, and curl up and enjoy an adult beverage while we enjoy the quiet and the lights on the tree
- Christmas food Stocking (this is separate from a regular stocking and contains just their favorite food/snacks)
- Christmas Morning Breakfast (usually consists of a casserole, or cinnamon rolls, bacon, juice)
Last but not least, when Christmas Day is over.. there is still Little Christmas. Celebrated 12 days after Christmas (January 6th). This is the celebration of Epiphany and will be celebrated by a nice dinner and it’s the day we take our Christmas decorations down. Yes our daughter may only be 5 months (6 months on the 28th) but we still plan to start these traditions with her this year. I can’t wait to celebrate with her and as she gets older, feel the magic of the holiday season through her.
Reindeer Food
Reindeer food was always made the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Feel free to alter it as you see fit. It’s simply 1 tsp of glitter(for helping keep the magic powers of course), 1 cup of dried oats (oatmeal), 1/4 cup of chocolate chips, and 2 tbsp of dried cranberries. Mix it all together, and before the kids go to bed, let them go out and sprinkle it in your front or back yard.
From my family to yours, have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Coffee Chaos and Cuss words 