Traditions

My favorite part of putting up the tree is when one of the kids gets on dads shoulders and puts the star on the top. 

Christmas isn't the same without a Gingerbread house

I started a new tradition this year. I made Christmas pillowcases for each child in our family. (next year I will add Greg and I). On December first we will put these on our pillows until the New Year. The kids came home from school and these were under the tree. They loved them. The best part was that night the kids all slept next to the tree with their new pillowcases.

Starting December 1st there is something under the tree for the entire family to open. It is not always new, for example it might be a favorite Christmas book we read that night or a movie. Usually the first night is a new Christmas book. Then on Dec.12th we start our 12's days of Christmas family and instead of something for us it is something for them.

2010 Under our Christmas Tree-

Dec 1. New Christmas book (Pirates Night Before Christmas)

Dec 2. New Christmas CD. (Classics)

Dec 3. Gingerbread cookie cutters (made cookies and ding dong door ditched)

Dec 4.  New Christmas pillowcases with New Christmas book ( Santa Clause, The worlds #1 Toy Expert)

We read the new book in front of the tree with our new pillowcases, with the fire place on. My favorite night

Dec 5. Captain Crunch Berries (Berrie Christmas)

Dec 6. Gingerbread house

Dec 7. note that said "drive around and look at Christmas lights 

Dec 8 Tickets for Emma and mom (Nutcracker)

Dec 9 egg nog and cookies

Dec 10 hot chocolate

Dec 11 Story of the real meaning of Christmas

Dec 12 Started the 12 days of Christmas