One of my very favorite Christmas traditions comes from my husbands family. Each year growing up his parents wrote each of the children a special letter, that would be rolled up or in an envelope and placed on the tree. The letters were just expressions of love and gratitude, telling their children how wonderful they are, talking about their strengths and all the joy they bring them. Even now, my husbands parents mail letters to their children–this time it’s to their child and his or her spouse–and we put it on the tree to be read Christmas morning. In addition my husband and I write letters to the girls (1 from the both of us together) and a letter to each other. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to read a thoughtful letter from my husband…not a little note or a short card, but a generous letter talking about all the reasons he loves and values me as a wife, mother and person. And in return it’s feels just as good to sit down and write a letter to him each year expressing my love and gratitude in return. I keep the letters in a binder so that we’ll always have them. They are beyond priceless.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to settle in for this Christmas holiday. I’m excited for the food, the togetherness, the magic, the excited faces of two sweet girls, the love, the joy, the remembering, the reading of the Christmas story…everything.
As a kid my favorite family tradition was that we opened all the family presents Christmas eve after dinner. We sat and opened presents one at a time from youngest to oldest–that means for a good 10 years I had the privilege of that first present. The next morning we still had Santa presents to look forward to. It was a great way to extend the fun and anticipation a little longer. My husband wasn’t on board right away, but we’ve started doing it with our girls and they love it!
What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Any clashing traditions that called for some serious compromise?
If I don’t see you next week Merry Christmas!
ps. We’ll return with regular spotlights in a few weeks, including part 2 of last weeks spotlight.
I love both of your family traditions! I hope your family has a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2013. Thank you so much for doing your blog, it is very special to me!
marsha.kern@yahoo.com
I love the letter tradition. What a sweet and special keepsake.
My husband and I like to spend time with our families over Christmas, but even tho the live in the same state (Minnesota), we still have to do some traveling to get to them. So, we extend the celebrations out over the month of December and then make sure that we are home together with our 2 little girls for Christmas day. My favorite is the girls waking up Christmas morning and bringing our stockings to us in our bed. We open them and share snuggles before getting up and starting our day.
Have a Merry Christmas Miggy and family!!!!!!! 🙂
I love the letter idea! Will be adding that to my holiday tradition. Thank you for sharing it
Rob wanted to do Santa Claus. I adamently did not. I grew up without Santa and didn't miss out on any Christmas Magic. Usually I win arguments with Rob, but I lost this one hardcore. Turns out that Rob loves Santa Claus more than I hate Santa Claus. I didn't know that was possible.
I still furrow my eyebrows a little when the topic comes up. It's okay that we have him around, but there are times when it's taken too far, and I have to remind Rob of our agreement. But I'll admit it, having Santa around has been fun. Rob loves Santa more than all 3 of the kids combined. And that's adorable.
I think your letter tradition is wonderful. I came across a box of cards and notes while looking for our son's Christmas ornaments, and was sent back in time as I read about our young men as boys. Thanks for sharing this!