Tradition!

I’d like to think that as we have all grown up, there are specific activities that happen every year in our families that can be described as TRADITIONS! I thought I’d share some of my family’s traditions that happen during Christmas.
1. We used to get to open one present on Christmas Eve, then we noticed the gifts decreased and we didn’t want to miss out on all the fun Christmas morning.
2. Our tree has always been hand cut by my father. It’s what he does, mostly he goes alone to find “the perfect tree” but sometimes one of us will join him. It’s a steep climb up the hill behind our house but yet it’s so fun to spend time with my dad.
3. The perfect tree in our family may not be most people’s first choice, but it’s what we always get. It’s a Charlie Brown tree. This allows us to actually hang our ornaments and not just place them on the tree.
3a. Now that I live in Idaho, I’ve never seen so many fake trees! Who does that? (sorry N)
4. The Christmas bells. Rumor has it Santa dropped them one year when he was on the roof. I think I remember hearing the bells. These bells are the ones that all the reindeer would wear so we are lucky to have them at our house. I love walking through the door hearing the bells jingle.
5. Being a family. I’d have to say it’s easy to get caught up in the presents during Christmas time but my parents have instilled in our minds how important family is. We sit down at the table and exchange kind words about each other. I love this part…it reminds me that what I have materially isn’t nearly as important as those who love me.
6. Christmas movie! Every Christmas my mom picks a movie that the family is going to watch at the theater. Yes, I admit I hated the fact The Lord of the Rings trilogy thought a good release date was always during the Holiday season. Three hour movies with a man who never ran out of arrows, the obese man sitting next to me chewing mentholated chew, my dad clapping as someone slid down the trunk of an elephant, my sister grabbing my hand in embarrassment, oh help me Lord if mom wants to see Tron for Christmas.
7. Throughout the Holiday season, people are sending Christmas cards left and right. My parents always keep the cards unopened until Christmas morning. As we sit around eating breakfast, we all hand the pile around and grab a card, read it, then repeat until all of the cards have been opened.
8. Polish eggs! I don’t know if really that’s the technical name but it’s what my dad calls them. They are eggs with potatoes and peppers. If we are lucky or my dad or mom has extra energy, they will make homemade cinnamon rolls! Yummy! It’s a feast that causes you to going into a food coma shortly after dishes are done. I’m sad to say this year I’d better keep an eye on how much I eat.
9. One present, one at a time. That’s right dad plays Santa's helper and hands us each one present then we all watch that person open it. The only thing we open without everyone watching is our stockings.
10. In the recent years, it makes me laugh that my dad is the one who wakes us up out of excitement. It’s not really a tradition but I feel like it’s payback for all the years we woke him up early.
11. Having to go to bed early on Christmas Eve because our house is one of the first ones that Santa brings gifts to, so we must not be awake or he won’t come.

In conclusion, I must reiterate the importance of my family. I am truly blessed to have grown up in that house. My parents have done a fine job raising all four of us kids. We still have our ups and downs but I wouldn’t trade anyone in for a new family member. The traditions they have handed down to us will in turn be handed down to our kids. How exciting!