I love Christmas and always have but it seems the older I get the busier it gets. The next several weekends in a row we have something going on everyday and somedays two or three things. I want to slow down and enjoy every minute of these holidays and relax but I guess that isn't possible. I need to go clean the house to get it ready for the weekend but I have been feeling so run down all week. I guess it is just that time of the month and I am getting older and it seems to be more taxing the past few times. Anyways, I am glad we have no plans on Christmas eve or Christmas day this year and we can stay home and relax together. I need to bake,shop, and plan for the weekend before since that is when both parent's will come into town for a few days.
We have so many traditions and my kids look forward to them each year. One tradition is to celebrate the Dutch holiday of Sinterklaas on December 5th by giving little candies in their shoes and eating peppernoten. My mom started this tradition when we were young from her days of living in Holland. Then we bake cookies and decorate them every year and usually that is 10-15 different types of cookies. Marty started a tradition of sleeping by the fire on Christmas eve and watching a Christmas Story as a family. My Grandma started the tradition of hiding the Christmas pickle on the tree and whoever finds it wins a prize and the kids love that. Even the foods we eat on the holiday are tradition and we only eat certain foods at certain holidays. What are your tradtions? I love to hear what people do on the holidays.
I keep coming back to this post, thinking "What will I write". Our traditions have changed a lot since my parents divoriced. We used to dress up on Christmas eve and go to my parents house. Anyone was welcome. They would have something for everyone. Christmas day my parents would come over to watch K and B open gifts. Later we woudl go back to my parents and my brothers would show up.
ReplyDeleteSince then, we just stay home. My mom and brothers (if they want) come to our home. We have the most children so it makes it easier. We havne't really done a traditional dinner. We usually have pozole or tamales so you can eat whenever you want but not really a sit down dinner.
It is hard making your own traditions.
It is hard to make your own traditions. I keep telling myself I have my own kids now and need to make my own traditions. I come from a family that just did what their parent's did and kept only those traditions. I am trying to break the mold and start my own but it is so hard. It is especially hard in a fractured family where my parent's get fought over. We really don't spend the holidays with them because it is such a hassle.
ReplyDeleteI bet you have good Tamales!!!! My husband likes the raisin kind the best. I have a hard time finding good one's for him. I try to make my own tortillas for him from time to time but they usually are too thick.
I love reading about your traditions! I'd never heard of Sinterklass before.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that the holidays are so hectic and often stressful. I've said "no" to a lot of events this year. My kids are sick all the time lately, so it's been easy to say no and frankly it's kinda nice not rushing from one event to the next!