What are your traditions?

I know with the upcoming holidays, most people are so stressed out about giving the perfect gift that they have forgotten the true meaning of the holidays. Our family has tried to get out of that mindset, by spending more time together, and less money. And to be perfectly honest, it has not only made me a more saner person around the holidays, but also much more happy and fulfilled. I don’t miss all the presents under the tree. I don’t remember what someone gave me last year, but I do remember singing the Christmas carols together… or baking the holiday treats together.

So what are your family traditions? What are some new traditions you would like to start or plan on starting this year?

For us a quiet peaceful Christmas at home has been the trademark for years past. Staying in our pj’s from Christmas Eve through Christmas… sometimes if we’re able… all the way through Boxing Day (the day after Christmas). My husband is English, and Boxing Day is a national holiday there, and they not only get Christmas Day off work, but Boxing Day as well. So we try to celebrate that here too for him…

As for traditions, movies, board games and a roaring fire in the fireplace are mainstays in our house. Also whenever we go on a big trip anywhere, instead of buying souvenirs, we buy one ornament to put on our Christmas tree that represents that trip. One year when we went through Texas on a motorhome trip, we purchased a wooden ornament in the shape of Texas painted in Texas flag colors and The Alamo written on it. Another year we went to Disney World and purchased a train ornament that reminded us of Jack’s late father, since he loved trains, and we watched a train parade/show at Disney World. Every year when I put up my tree, I re-live those trips every time I hang up the ornaments To me that is the true meaning of Christmas… NOT getting another Wii game… or the latest perfume on the market.

So I’d love to hear your holiday traditions…