I was talking with my adult daughter today about tradtions. Now that she and her husband have two small children under the age of three; they are looking to create some family traditions.
They are going to start a tradition that her husband’s family did while he and his brother and sister grew up. They would for a set number of days before Christmas open up 1 gift per evening from their Christmas stockings.
My young granddaughter is opening her first gift from her stocking tonight. She is at an age where she will be starting to remember these things in the framework of her holiday memories. She was very excited.
With my children, we started out running to various relatives on holidays and it became too much. The kids would just start to open a gift or two or sit down to a meal and we would have to run to the next relative’s house so they could see them open up their gifts. This became obvious that no one benefitted from doing things this way.
I put my foot down and declared Christmas eve OUR family time. Then on Christmas day or Christmas evening we would spread ourselves around after we let the children open up their gifts from the stockings. To this day, that is how we celebrate. It means alot to my children to continue this way. When my daughter married she made it clear during the dating years that this was a non- negotiable time for get-togethers…because that was our family time. It works. Her husband celebrates on Christmas day. Everyone is happy.
Whatever traditions mean the most to you and your family…CELEBRATE THEM. Don’t compromise on the things that mean the most to you.
Another really important thing we do is to read the Christmas Story from scriptures. We have a beautifully illustrated book with the scriptures telling the beautiful story. Each year we bring it out. We also decorate our Christmas cookies together. These things bring a family closer to one another.
What traditions does your family observe during the holidays?
Write where you are 
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