Most of our family traditions are based around the traditions that I grew up with. However, each family has different dynamics and I have learned that things are just not always the same.
One tradition I took from my parents was to always read the nativity story on Christmas Eve and to have the kids act out the story of Jesus' birth with our nativity. We also have chosen to keep Christmas day as being just our little family. We also take from the example of the three wise men and each child gets three presents on Christmas morning (we started that three years ago and love it).
So one tradition that changed was a part of Christmas Eve. Growing up, we didn't live near any relatives so on Christmas Eve we would open all of the relative presents. On Christmas morning we would open all of the Santa presents. Since, we now live near family, but not close enough to do Christmas Eve, it has left us with no presents on Christmas Eve. I really don't like to have too many presents anyway, but I missed the tradition of it.
So this year, we are starting a new tradition. We are going to do an ornament exchange with our girls each Christmas Eve. On Thanksgiving, we will draw out names and then each work on finding one special ornament for our chosen family member to open on Christmas Eve. This will help teach my girls about giving, but not just by buying little junk for each other. This will be something special to look at on our tree each year and to remember who we got it from. This year will be slightly different since we hadn't thought of this earlier! Jason and I will just buy each girl an ornament to open on Christmas Eve, but we will tell them about the new tradition then! I love this time of the year!
What a great idea! We do something similar with sibling gifts. But I may have to ask if they want to switch to ornaments next year.
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