As the year wraps up, the time seems to fly by! In the rush of the season, the month of December seems to be an ongoing rush of schedules, dress up days for school, parties, gifts and decorating. Even though this time of year seems like everything is happening at once, I want to keep it fun and festive for my kids. I want them to remember Christmas and all of the things we did together as a family….not mom running around like a chicken with her head cut off 😂. So there are a few simple traditions that I keep every year and if something new comes up, we add that too!
#1 See Christmas Lights
Usually there are maps posted on Facebook of the local route to see Christmas lights, but this year we drove through “Chad’s Winter Wonderland” in Lebanon, TN. $25 each car and they even have a concession booth drive thru that offers hot dogs, holiday punch, Grinch popcorn and cookies.
#2 Advent calendars
This has always been interesting because I have never been able to display them or else everyday would be opened on the first day, but this year…so far…I have been able to keep them out, so five days have been opened on time.
#3 Holiday movies 🍿
My kids love going to the theatre and anytime it is free? We’ll be there 😜 Local theaters will have free or reduced admission for kids to see holiday favorites like The Grinch or The Polar Express…and the cold evenings are the perfect time for family movie nights.
#4 Elf on the Shelf
Sadly our elf flew back to the North Pole and never returned 😜 so we are still waiting for our new elf to fly down this year. That being said, it’s so much fun….maybe even more so for the parents than the kids. The only kicker is to move him before bed…because otherwise he will be found in the same spot by your kids at 5 am and they think he died.
#5 Christmas parade
I am really excited for our local Christmas parade this year because my daughter will be in it with her dance studio. It’s always interesting trying to find the float amidst the chaos if your child is in it…then rush to find somewhere to view it 🥴
#6 Gaylord Opryland Hotel
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been coming to see the lights at the large indoor atrium at the Opryland hotel. Last year we took the kids to see the ice sculptures there. With ice slides, a HUGE gift shop, and a cute outdoor cafe, it is a perfect weekend treat.
#7 Pictures with Santa
There aren’t many “characters” that Sam will take a picture with (not even at Disney), but I’ve never had to pull teeth to get him to take a picture with Santa.
#8 Eating Asian food on Christmas Day
It wasn’t long after getting married, Wes and I always ate dinner at a Chinese restaurant. It might have been influenced from watching the movie “A Christmas Story”, but it stuck and we’ve been doing it every year since.
I hope this season you take some time for yourself, find peace in the chaos and try something new! This season can be a mix of emotions with joy, hope and sadness; but true peace comes through Jesus Christ.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
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