Christmas and Family Traditions

Christmas morning.

The few weeks before Christmas can be stressful   We already have a hectic schedule with work, school, extracurricular activities, and trying to fit in family time.  Now, i have to make plans for Christmas:  finding a tree, figuring out what fun yet educational gifts to give the kids that will also keep their attention (does such a thing exist , figuring out a gift for Jeff (harder than the girls), Christmas day meals, visit Santa, the list goes on and on.  At the same time, these stresses are my favorite parts of Christmas.  These stresses are the beloved family traditions we celebrate and build upon year after year and spending time with family which involves all the craziness that leads up to Christmas and the big day itself.

The Tree.  Jeff and i have been married over 17 years.  We have had a Christmas tree every year of our marriage except one when we were out of town for the holiday.  In Fairbanks, each year we go to the Kiwanis Club Annual Christmas Tree Sale..  The girls and i will point out a tree, Jeff will drag it out, stomp the tree a few times to get the branches down, and twirl it around for us.  Finding the perfect tree can sometimes take a few minutes, other times, closer to an hour.  Afterwards, we load the tree up in our vehicle, drive it home, and toss it in some water.  The tree decorating usually happens the same day or the following day depending on our schedules.  We decorate with unbreakable ornaments like stuffed animals and wooden nutcrackers while the kids are still young.

Father and daughter playing with the new tablet.

Santa Claus.  This tradition started when Morgan was 18 months old.  We have been visiting the same Santa every year since.  At each visit, Santa recognizes both my girls and even knows their names.  We visit him at least 2-3 times during the Christmas season and a couple more times the rest of the year.  This is when the girls disclose what they want for Christmas.  Once they tell Santa what they want, they are pretty much locked in so i encourage them to really think about what they want and then try to make it happen.  This year, Morgan asked for a computer or iPad   I told her that even Santa knows when a gift is inappropriate for a child and that she will most likely not get that if she asks.  She ended up asking Santa for a pretend computer or iPad and a gold bracelet.  Riley asked for Spider-man underwear but quickly added an iPad to her wishlist to be like her big sister.  

Flashing the camera her new underpants.

Advent Calendar.  I had a nice balance of activities and little gifts for the kids each day leading up to Christmas.  The girls looked forward to finding out what was hidden in the 24 little mittens hanging by the wood stove   Sometimes it was just a piece of candy, a little toy, or tattoos.  Other days, they would find gift cards for lunch the next day, or a slip of paper for an activity like snow painting, a movie, sledding, or a visit to the ice park or other local event.  I had a lot of fun figuring out what to put in their calendar each day and planning different activities for them.  The calendar really helped Morgan keep track of her days, too.

Homemade Gifts.  The girls and i painted a beautiful frame for Jeff and i made a superhero pillowcase for each girl.  The girls had fun painting and writing (both girls signed their names, one not so legible but made my heart swell).  I tried to remember how to use my sewing machine (as i only use it a few times each year) and then tried to remember how to sew the pillow cases.  I must say they each  have a lot of character and are made with a whole lot of love.

Community.  My wish for my kids is that they are safe, they stay true to themselves, they thrive, and that they have the same expectations and encourage the same of others.  I also believe it is our duty to integrate ourselves into the community, to help others in need.  I want my girls to have that same sense of community even at such an early age.  Last year, Morgan helped Soroptimist of Fairbanks deliver presents to the residents at the Senior Center.  This year i had hope to continue the community service but it ,unfortunately, coincided with her piano recital.  Instead, the girls helped sort their toys and clothing to donate to local charities and the hospital.  It was not an easy task for them and it was hard work but i am proud of my girls.

Googly Eyed.

Christmas Eve.  We usually attend Midnight Mass (at the Catholic Church) but this year opted for the 11:00 pm Methodist services at the church down the street.  Afterwards, we came home to look for the Christmas Pickle.  Previously, i believed the tradition to be German (no we are not German) but now i am not sure where the tradition originated.  I think i found it on a shopping trip or flipping through a catalog.  Normally, the person who finds the pickle gets a special gift from St. Nick and is blessed with a year of good luck.  In our home, the kid who finds the pickle gets to open the extra gift which is a present from us and is either a gift for the whole family or one the kids can share.  We started the Christmas Pickle tradition when my nephews, Eli and Edward, came to visit one year and resurrected the holiday tradition once Morgan was born and could toddle around a tree to find it.

Gift from Grandpa Lyons.

Prior to going to bed Christmas Eve, Jeff and the girls will set out a plate of fresh baked cookies and a glass of milk for Santa and, of course, a plate of carrots for the reindeer.  The kids will dress in their Christmas pajamas and head to bed.  Once asleep, Jeff will eat the cookies, drink the milk, put the carrots back in the fridge (hmm, i wonder why he does not eat them, too), and place the Santa gifts under the tree.  The gifts from Santa are always the best wrapped gifts under the tree and they sit front and center for the girls to find Christmas morning.

Christmas.  Morgan and i were the first to wake Christmas morning.  Morgan was impatient to open Christmas presents.  To distract her, i had her help me make breakfast.  Morgan has always been a helpful child except when it comes to her cleaning up her room :).  Jeff and Riley are finally awake.  You could feel the excitement in the air as the girls headed for the tree and held the gifts from Santa.  I was excited.  The girls received so many presents from grandparents, friends, teachers and mentors, aunts and uncles, and cousins.  It was hard to keep track of all of them.  It took us a few hours to unwrap all the gifts.  We took a much needed break, halfway through, as we were losing control and did not want total chaos.  We were also very hungry.

Thankful.  I love that my girls can be so giving to family, friends, and each other yet struggle with the idea of giving away their "worldly" possessions to help others.  I love that they believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas.  I love their excitement and impatience as we try to get them to slow down and enjoy the day, everyday.  I am humbled at their capacity for love and that they love us unconditionally, even when we falter.

I enjoyed the holiday traditions and the many wonderful memories we created.  This time of year, and many times throughout  i think about what our life was like before kids and our life now.  I could not imagine my life any different, good or bad.  I am blessed.