Family Christmas Traditions

The Holidays are here!! We love this time of the year and all of the excitement that comes along with it. It is fun to hear about everyone's different traditions for the holidays, so here is a list of what we do to enjoy the spirit of Christmas:

1) We always buy a new special ornament for the tree. In the past, we purchased ornaments from our vacation destinations, such as a fish ornament or faberge egg. Last year, we went pretty random and got a cool looking spiderman ornament. This year, I finally got the personalized family ornament. :)
2) When I was growing up, we always piled into the car and drove around to look at everyone else's Christmas lights with the Christmas carols blaring. Mike and I still carry on this tradition, but we actually have a destination each year. There is a neighborhood in Broomfield (across from the Eagle Trace Golf Course) that goes all-out with lights. One house in particular is absolutely stunning. They decorate inside the windows and both the front and back of the house. Christmas music is playing outside, and sometimes the owners even let people inside to see all the decorations they have there as well. LOTS of people have found this little "secret", so around the middle of December there is usually a traffic jam to get into the culd-de-sac. We bring hot chocolate and get out of the car to socialize for bit while we take in the display. I will post a picture of this year's lights a little later on this month.

3) A few years ago, Mike and I started collecting Christmas houses from the Kohls collection. Every year, we add to the village that is set up above our fireplace. We really pick and choose what houses are in our little town; all of them are relevant to us in some way. There is a schoolhouse (duh), a ski chalet, a church, a coffee shop, a tavern :), and an antique store. This year, we added a pet store in honor of Kava!

4) Our tree has a flavor of randomness--and this is just the way we like it. You will find anything from old heirloom ornaments to Crate and Barrel designer ones. Besides our annual ornament that we get for the tree, the only ornaments that we collect are the White House series: http://www.whitehousechristmas.com/WHC/productslist.aspx?CategoryId=3 .

One of our former students bought one for us every year when he was in high school, and we have kept collecting them ever since.

5) During the 1st weekend in December, we always go down to the Parade of Lights in Denver. It is actually a pretty good parade--with huge balloons and all. I love going to the city around the Holidays, and this tradition has been something that we have loved every year! In the past, we would actually stay downtown (great way to avoid traffic), but I think we will come home in the future to let Carson sleep in his own bed. :)

6) This is the Denver City and County Building. It is amazing every year! I remember going to see this display when I was a little kid. You can drive by, walk to it, or the best way is to take a carriage ride by it with the ones you love. :)

7) This is something that was Mike's idea to do every year with the Nativity decorations. Where is baby Jesus? Well, we don't put out baby Jesus for display until Christmas Eve. This gives us one more opportunity to pause and take in the true meaning of this holiday.

8) Every family has their special movie for the Christmas season. Our favorite is The Polar Express! This movie really gets us in the spirit and ready to BELIEVE. :) We get all cozy in pajamas and turn on all the Christmas lights, grab some hot chocolate and watch the Polar Express.

8) NEW Tradition for this year that we have started: We want to give back to those who are less fortunate than we are, and so we have purchased 6 winter coats with a set of gloves and a hat for each, and we are going to give these away to the homeless in Denver. Our plan is to actually drive around in the city and find people who look like they are cold, and give them a coat. I'll keep everyone posted on how this goes!

9) NEW traditions now that Carson has arrived: Of course we will visit Santa Claus and write him a letter, but we plan to begin the tradition of going to the Denver Zoo's WILDLIGHTS every year.

I envision a nice dinner of Chili, going to the zoo lights, then coming home for some eggnog or hot chocolate. Friends and family are welcome!

What are your Christmas traditions? Post comments here or send me an email because it is always fun to hear about how people celebrate the holidays!