Tradition! TRADITION!

We've been getting ready for Christmas around here, which means let the traditions begin! Some of my fondest memories of Christmas are the things we do to get "ready" for Christmas. With a new baby in the house, and young children, we've kept it pretty simple and easy this year. But, it's so much fun!

1.) Mini Trees

I vaguely remember a little box of tiny ornaments as a child. We didn't have them for long, but I remember loving that they were so tiny and "just my size" and that I could place them where I wanted to and switch them around. I don't know that there was such a thing as a "mini" tree back then, but they have them now! We bought each of the kids a little tree for their rooms to decorate and let them choose a tiny box of ornaments at the craft store. I thought Boo's choice of this little mini nativity scene was so darling. The details on them are so cute! It's just the sort of thing I would have loved as a child. She's spent a lot of time setting up scenes with them on and off the tree.

2.) Lights

We have yet to put up lights on our house. We might not - it's so cold outside! My mom gave us all of her colored lights when they made the switch to an artificial pre-lit tree. Josh put them to good use in decorating the kids' beds. A perfectly festive nightlight! They love it.



3.) Cookies

I've been in search of a new sugar cookie recipe that makes a light and soft sugar cookie. Mine always turn out too crisp or they don't hold their shape. I tried several and found this one to be my favorite. It's a recipe from my good friend Dianna.

Soft Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
Cream together then
Add
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix then add
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. baking powder
4-6 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
Roll out to 1/2 inch thick.
Bake at 350 degrees for 14 -17 minutes

I found a whole bag of these tin cutters at a yard sale while Josh and I were dating. I knew someday I'd have kids and I wanted to bake and decorate cookies with them. So, I bought the entire bag for $3.00. It's so fun to see them finally put to good use. The kids use them on rice crispy treats, cookies or as "fish" with a magnetic fishing pole.

4.) Countdowns

We had this cute countdown to Christmas growing up. It was a Bear Family and it showed the inside of their home with all of their rooms and a little Bear hops around to each velcro-ed day until he ends up in the family room and it's Christmas! Each of us had a bear with our name on it. We used to race down the stairs and elbow eachother out of the way to be the first to move the bear. I haven't found anything that cute (I'm on the lookout), but we have been counting down with some cottonballs and Santa's beard. The kids do this each morning before breakfast and they always say, "Christmas is almost here!" It makes me excited too!



We also use another countdown for our scripture study. I can't seem to get the link to open. We did it last year and the kids really loved it. Getting to glue on another piece of the nativity puzzle is great incentive for them to be reverent and participate. We read a verse or two every night of the Savior's birth and the events surrounding it. We also sing a Christmas song. It's short, simple and sweet.


5.) Ornaments

I like to get the kids an ornament each year for the tree, starting with a Baby's First Christmas from Things Remembered. Diddles' ornament just arrived yesterday. Growing up we each had a shoebox of our own special ornaments to hang on the tree. We try to find an ornament for each vacation we take together or as a family. I'm looking forward to creating a similar collection for my kids!