November 2009

1. Start the countdown! – I purchased many of my current Christmas decorations on my very 1st Christmas away from home. These decorations aren’t necessarily heirloom material, but I still love them as much as I did the day I found them. One of my all-time favorites is a small ceramic penguin with a countdown dial on his belly to help keep track of the days till Christmas. It’s my families version of the advent calendar and instead of a gift at the end of each day, we celebrate by turning down that dial and then finding joy in a family event that follows. It might be sharing a cup of hot cocoa, baking a batch of cookies, making a handmade ornament, or wrapping a gift for Dad but with each new day – my children know they’ll be an sharing in an activity that involves their hands, their heads and their heart.
2. Lighting the Way - Perhaps, my absolute favorite thing about the holiday season as a child was Twinkle Lights. There’s just something magical about these little bright beauties that transformed the neighborhoods and places I’d seen a hundred times before into a Winter Wonderland. Even as an adult, I can’t get enough – neighborhoods that band together to make the holidays more special through the eyes of a child, the wonder of a trip to the zoo blanketed with twinkling lights. Even surrounding myself with lights in my home {as a child, I always asked for my own strand to plug in near my bed} and more often than not, my parents would wake to find me asleep under the tree basking in its warm glow. I started sharing this tradition with my children early, my first born son was born with a mild case of jaundice just days before Christmas. I’d like to think, that in some magical way, it was all the time we spent snuggling under our tree that led to his speedy recovery. This year, I’ll have my first opportunity to take them to see the lights at the zoo. Honestly, I’m not sure who’s more excited.

3. Christmas Classics – I have a confession to make – I’m a Christmas music and movie junkie. I could play them all year long and never get tired of them. For everyone else’s sake, I am usually quite good about waiting till an appropriate time to begin but fortunately for me, my husband shares my passion for Christmas movies. Christmas movies play almost constantly in our house and we look forward to sharing this tradition with our children all year long.

4. Decorating the Tree – I’ve always had this vision of how a family was supposed to decorate the tree. The carols that would be playing, the gorgeous photos that would be taken, the hot chocolate that would be consumed, the popcorn that would be strung and the perfect tree that was to be the final outcome. Many years, three small children and a grouch of a husband later, I’m happy to announce I have given up on this June Cleaver image of Christmas and have instead embraced the version I have instead. In fact, watching my kids outfit themselves in stockings, tinsel and garland might be my favorite Christmas memory yet. The jingle of bells as they run back and forth from our storage totes to the tree finding just the right (albeit, very low) branch to hang the ornaments on. It’s these memories I hope I’ll remember when they’re older.

5. A Pajama Party – There’s not a whole lot of sleeping going on in any house on Christmas Eve. So much excitement left over from the day’s events, the undoubtable sugar overload and the anticipation of what’s to come all seem to combat sleepiness. Instead of fighting the fact that no one will be sleeping, I say relish it. Give everyone a new set of holiday pajamas, dance around the house, curl up on the couch and read Twas the Night Before Christmas – whatever it takes to finally wear them down enough to place a plate of cookies out for Santa and maybe even a tall glass of milk. Then off to bed they go – those chubby cheeked, squishy thighed cherubs that will be grown before you know it. After you’ve made your final preparations for Santa’s visit – take a moment to peek in on them – sound asleep just like angels all in their new pajamas. Ahh, now that’s Christmas heaven.