Traditions are so important. It gives us all something to look forward to. On this Thanksgiving morning, I am sad that I am missing out on a tradition that began for me 13 years ago. Every year I run the Turkey Trot in downtown Detroit with family and friends. This year I am recovering from an unexpected surgery that I had two days ago. So instead, we are sitting on the couch watching the parade from our warm house. Next year we will resume watching it from the cold streets of the D with warm cups of cocoa!
I follow an awesome blogger, Kelle Hampton at Enjoying The Small Things. I love this quote of hers:
“The story my kids will tell someday depends on me. I am writing their book, and I want their childhood chapters full of traditions and stories and memories of the comforts of home.”
What are your traditions? I love hearing what others do. This year I am starting a Christmas Countdown tradition on December 1st. I bought these adorable envelopes on Etsy here. Then I thought of a special activity to do every day leading up to Christmas Eve. I will write the activity down on a piece of paper and put it in each envelope. I know traditional Advent Calendars give treats and candy but I thought doing something together would be even better! Here are a few of the activities: drink hot cocoa by the fire, read The Story of Christmas, bake cookies, visit Santa, call Santa online, make reindeer food, dress up one night for a fancy family dinner, go to our town’s annual tree lighting ceremony, go sledding, build a snowman, wrap presents, visit the dollar store and buy stocking stuffers for papa (my daughter will get to pick them out!)
I also wanted to compile a list of traditions that either my family has or brainstormed from other friends…
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Halloween: Making Sloppy Joes or Chili for dinner on Halloween night, have a pumpkin carving party.
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Thanksgiving: Running the Turkey Trot, going to a parade, Better than @#$ cake my aunt makes, decorating the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and my favorite…mailing out Christmas cards!
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Christmas: Going to midnight mass, wearing matching Christmas pajamas, open one present on Christmas Eve, hide the German pickle on the Christmas tree, monkey bread the morning of Christmas (thank you for this one Danielle) Christmas Caroling…I could go on and on about Christmas Traditions.
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Easter: Easter Egg hunt, visit the Easter Bunny, decorate eggs.
I would love to hear about your special family traditions! Please comment!