Does this pretty much summarize your December? Mine, too. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were time right now, in this busy season, to stop and talk with some friends? Get to know them a little better? Sounds good to me!
To that end, the wonderful Amanda is hosting one of her "Dishing It!" parties today, and she's invited us all over for a chat.
Amanda's first question is, "Do you have any specific traditions that your family looks forward to each Christmas?"
Good heavens! Do we have traditions?! This is the 20th Christmas since we first had children, and we've built lots of fun traditions over the years. To tell the truth, I didn't realize just how much these traditions had sunk in until my boys were old enough to start asking for them by name:
When are we going to hang the stockings?
When are we going to make fudge?
When are you going to put up the decorations?
Are we going to have sausage balls on Christmas morning?
Are you going to get us new pajamas for Christmas?
What time is the Christmas Eve service?
One year I asked whether they really wanted to do one of these things, and my middle son answered, "We have to! It's tradition!"
So we hang the stockings. . .
and make fudge--six pounds of chocolate, six pounds of peanut butter. . .
and deck the halls (click here if you want to know why we always use magnolia leaves). . .
and, every Christmas Eve, we make sausage balls to eat on Christmas morning. Then we go to the Christmas Eve service at church--one of my favorite services all year. After we come home, I give the boys each a new pair of pajamas to wear to bed on Christmas Eve. That way, they'll be dressed in their new jammies for the Christmas morning pictures!
These and many others make up our Christmas traditions. What about yours? How does your family celebrate at this special time?
Ooooh fudge! Yum! I just love your entry way, it's so elegant :-) I hope you have a wonderfully blessed holiday with your family! :-) Take care!
ReplyDeleteWell thanks. I just gained 5 pounds looking at your fudge.
ReplyDeleteOur traditions are the same as yours, sans the the new pjs :) Well, and the fudge. Egg and sausage casserole is our traditional breakfast...we do a brunch with everyone, then the olders take off for their in-laws homes and the house gets quiet. As much as I love having everyone here, I love quiet Christmas afternoon and evening....
I love Christmas traditions, you've got so many wonderful ones! You're home is just lovely. I love that garland!
ReplyDeleteWe have traditions that my Kiddo asks about every year, too. He has already asked when we're going to go look at Christmas lights. We pile into the car with blankets to cover up with, make a Starbucks run for hot chocolate, white chocolate mocha, and peppermint mocha, and drive around looking at lights. We have a favorite neighborhood that has about 75% participation, if not more, so there is something to see at every turn.
ReplyDeleteWe also have sausage balls on Christmas morning! : )
Kids are so good at reminding you about the traditions even before you realize they are traditions! Your home is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe did just move to Illinois. Well actually hubby came here 3 years before me and he'd come back to MI every weekend. I joined him out here in July. Now we are beginning to search for a new home. I cannot wait to have a home to decorate again! But home is where your heart and love is!
Enjoy your holidays!!! Take care!
I loved reading about your Christmas traditions and especially love how much they mean to your boys. They probably will have similar traditions when they have their own families.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that we love to do is look at Christmas lights. It's so much fun to drive around to look at various neighborhoods. We used to host a soup party where we ran to look at lights and then ate soup. Everyone loved it.
I can't believe that it is so close to Christmas. I just love this time of year.
your foyer and living room are beautiful!! such fun traditions and so awesome that your kids ask for them! i love when the kids want to do stuff every year.
ReplyDeleteWe do new pajamas too! Carla
ReplyDeleteOh, so beautiful!!! I especially love your mantle, and looking down your entryway. Your house just looks LOVELY! Thank you for sharing, and letting me peek around a bit! I hope your family has a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFive things...
ReplyDelete1. Yes that is my December except the run part. Ouch!
2. There's no way you are old enough for this to be your 20th Christmas since first having children.
3. I am still very much in love with your traditional mantel.
4. Shall I send my address? I adore peanut butter fudge but I'm too chicken to make it.
5. Love all your traditions. Hope you get to slow down and enjoy the blessings of the season!
6 pounds of fudge?! That is a dream come true!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou guys have some special traditions, and I think it's so cool to see that your boys really do cherish them!
Thank you so much for linking up with me, Richella, and for your encouragement. You are a wonderful friend. I need to make a road trip down to see you! :)
Seriously six pounds of fudge? YUM!!
ReplyDeleteWe always did new Jammies too!! Hope you are enjoying this wonderful Christmas season
Okay, does your immediate family eat all 12 pounds of fudge? ;)
ReplyDeleteYour traditions sound wonderfully cozy. You've made beautiful memories for your sons!
Oh, how I love peanut butter fudge. MMMMM! and sausage balls totally rock! Love them! I need to make some. Love the jammie tradition too. I haven't done that the last few years. Thanks for sharing. Loooooove the magnolia leaves!
ReplyDeleteYour foyer is lovely.
ReplyDeleteYour home looks so elegant! I am making your fudge today. I am very picky about fudge and am hoping this one is a keeper for me. I have never found a pb fudge recipe that was very good ~always so gritty~would you share that recipe with me (or all of us.....)Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYour house looks beautiful Richella! My favorite tradition is our Christmas Eve service. I love having that time with Jesus. Merry Christmas !!!
ReplyDelete