Where has this year gone? I mean, don’t get me wrong 2016 is definitely not on the top of my list of years I’d like to repeat (election cycle from hell, Brexit, other foolishness in this world, the loss of so many great entertainers, etc) but I definitely didn’t see it going by so fast. Christmas is Saturday and I’m going to be hosting a few family members at my house which means that our holiday staples will be in full effect.
Christmas tree lights – Now that I have my own place I leave my Christmas lights on all night, every night but that didn’t happen when we were younger. The only time our tree would be lit for an extended period of time would be Christmas day and that was something I always looked forward to. It’s a tradition I’ve continued into adulthood and will continue doing it when I have a family of my own.
7 family traditions that are great for the #Christmas holiday. Share on X
Holiday pajamas – Fun pajamas are a must! It’s not always cold on Christmas here in Houston so we alternate back and forth between long johns and short sets, but I have a feeling I’ll be busting out a set or onesie like these this year and just cranking my AC down low. I have to be Instagram and Snapchat ready!
Warm drinks – Whether it’s 80 degrees or 50 degrees we always have warm drinks on Christmas morning, hot cocoa for the kids and a coffee-type drink for the adults.
Big breakfast – It’ll be a while before we eat lunch/dinner that day so we have a big breakfast, usually pancakes or French toast, eggs, bacon, sausage and monkey bread!
Holiday tunes – When we were younger our parents would turn on Sunny 99.1 or Majic 102.1 and blast the holiday tunes throughout the house, but this year I’ll be playing one of my many Christmas playlists on my Bluetooth speaker. No Christmas morning is complete without “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway or “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by *NSYNC.
Christmas Parade – We try and time present openings around this holiday tradition so we can watch it as a family. I have so many childhood memories of us sitting around the living room TV and playing with our new toys while watching pop artists sing holiday staples on the huge floats.
Pictures – Speaking of holiday memories, so many are photographed on Christmas morning. Memories like me falling off of a bunk bed when I was 9 and sitting in my big cousin’s lap opening presents, getting my first set of ‘Babysitter’s Club’ books and all of the matching holiday outfits were documented with numerous Polaroids and disposable cameras. I think we had just as much fun getting the photos developed as we did taking them and this instant camera will help us relive those childhood memories.