Ever since I found out I was pregnant with Baby, I knew that I wanted to make every Christmas as special as possible for her. I love the idea of creating family traditions, that would become as ingrained in our Christmas, as turkey and presents are.
With Christmas just over 5 weeks away, I thought I would share our traditions, all of which we did last year (even though Baby was too young to know about any of it!) and I have added a couple of new ones for this year.
1. Christmas tree
Our tree will go up on the evening of the last day of November, so that when Baby wakes up on 1st December it will be ready for her.
2. Decorations
Each year we will go shopping at the end of November and Baby will be able to chose two new decorations. We did this last week.
3. Panto
For Baby’s first Christmas we went to a free panto in our local shopping centre, as she was too young for a proper panto. To be honest, she probably is again this year, so will will try to find something similar.
4. Christmas Eve box
Filled with lots of lovely festive goodies. I can’t wait to put it together.
5. Christmas Card
We have a lovely family time taking pictures of Baby in festive outfits and then pick one for our Christmas Card. I know some people might think it is cheesy, but I like having a special Christmas picture and the relatives love it.
6. Santa’s Goodies
Last year I created a special plate for us to leave out for Santa & Rudolf. So I will be digging it out this year.
7. Scatter reindeer food/dust
I am sure Baby hadn’t got a clue what we were doing last December, when we wandered out to the front garden and scattered ‘reindeer food/dust’ on the lawn; to show them where to land and give them a bit of a snack too. Tip: don’t buy the ready made ‘food’, porridge oats and glitter is just fine.
8. Advent calendar
We bought an awesome advent calendar from a craft fair, a wooden reindeer head with 24 little bags attached the the antlers. Instead of chocolate, I fill up the bags with little presents or activities written on little notes.
9. Letter from Santa
Baby is too young to write to Santa at the moment, but each year she will receive a letter from Santa and I will keep them all safe until she is older.
10. Christmas Teddy Bear
In the week before Christmas, I pop out and buy Baby a special Christmas teddy bear.
11. Meet Santa
Last year, I tripped getting into Santa’s little hut and nearly ended up in his lap! Which I think was a bit more than he bargained for… Although Baby sat on his knee, she wasn’t that keen. Fingers crossed she will be better next time she visits him.
12. Christmas PJs
A must have, new PJs for Christmas eve and Christmas day.
13. A book a day in December
I recently saw this idea on a Facebook wall and really liked it. I will buy 24 books, wrap them up and put them under the tree. Then every night before bed (from 1st-24th Dec), she can go to the tree and pick a book that we can read to her before she goes to sleep.
14. Read ‘The Night Before Christmas’
We bought a version last year that you can record a voice onto, which Mr Hubby did. On Christmas Eve, we will sit with her while Mr Hubby from ‘2013’ reads her the story.
15. Go to see the Christmas lights
A little trip into town to soak up the festiveness and see the lights.
Do you do any of these? What are your favourite Christmas traditions?
