Saturday, December 6, 2008

Christmas traditions

My family over the years has invented its own Christmas traditions. We bake Christmas cookies and decorate them together--well Phil mostly eats them. We open one gift at a time to savor each gift and show appreciation to the giver. We have our children open one gift per night the week prior to Christmas so they can enjoy each gift instead of being on overload with a mountain of gifts. Santa then brings the stockings on Christmas morning. I usually make chocolate chip pancakes or biscuits with chocolate gravy on Christmas morning for our traditional Christmas breakfast.

Last year my mom and dad, sister and her husband, Lindsey, my niece and my daughter Megan decided we had enough stuff and we needed to share with a family in need. When we received the list from the family (we don't know who they are and they don't know who we are) we divided the list and shopped for our people on the list. Then we got together and wrapped all the presents a couple of days later.

This year our tradition continues. However, this year we are shopping together today for a family. We thought it would be more fun to shop together. After our purchases have been made, we will come back to my house and wrap gifts. I plan to play Christmas music and I know we will have lots of laughs and giggles as we wrap the presents together. There is something about helping someone anonymously that brings joy to your heart.

I thought it would be fun to read about other families traditions or how your family blesses others during the Christmas season. If you have a neat holiday tradition, please share!!