The Traditions We Carry.

Last Christmas, after a day of hustling and bustling {in a snow storm, no less} and getting home with cranky, tired, hungry kids J and I made a decision.

No more crazy, busy Christmas.

You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

Run here, eat here, visit here real quick. Too much.

So this year we're staying home on Saturday.

We didn't take the decision lightly but we knew something had to change.

T and M are always with their mom on Christmas Eve until the evening so we really only have Christmas Day to celebrate as a family and for the past number of years we've spent the day running and running and running.

But this year we're staying home. We'll have a lazy morning opening presents and eating cinnamon rolls. There will be no rush to get ready and out the door.

We'll be able to play the kids new games and read the new books instead of piling them up and saying; "Let's Go!"

I am really looking forward to it.

We celebrated Christmas with J's family on Sunday and while I'm sure it will feel odd to not go there this year, the change was welcomed by my in-laws and we were able to relax and the kids are already able to enjoy their gifts this week.

We'll celebrate with my dad this next weekend when he'll come over and I envision it being fudge-filled and relaxing.

We'll go to church on Christmas Eve and just have Christmas Day to relax. And enjoy.
I love traditions especially around birthdays and holidays, I do. I love that every Christmas Eve we all open up new pajamas before bed. I love eating loaves of fudge like it's going out of style throughout the month of December {and lets be honest, January, too.}. I love watching every last ornament being hung on the tree and talking about who made it and when they made it. I love the excitement the kids have about St. Nicholas Day and the Advent Calendar hung on the wall. {Even on the days someone forgets to put the box up before bed.}

But this change we're making is a good one. I am excited to create a new tradition. I am excited to relax, to enjoy the day as a family. To let the kids try out their new things. To watch a movie. To eat what we want, if we want, and not because we don't want any of the families to feel bad.

I'm excited for us and for our kids to create new traditions on Christmas Day. To make them up as we go. To try things out, cross them off the list if they don't work and do it again if they do.

Last week, I read a status update from author Shauna Niequist that really resonated with me:  If this season feels crowded/frantic/shallow, my choices allowed that to happen. And I can make changes.

Amen!

What are some of the traditions you've carried and how have they changed?