Archive for the ‘celebrate it’ Category

The very talented Kami from No Biggie is here today sharing her family’s favorite holiday tradition.

Welcome Kami!

Hi Make it Do readers!

I am Kami of the blog NoBiggie. I’m happy to be included today in Calli’s fun week of Christmas Traditions. I love being a mom and starting new traditions with our little family. Last year was our first year for this tradition, but we loved it so much, it will be one that lasts.

The weekend after Thanksgiving we head over to a darling little tree farm in Alpine, Utah and we cut down our Christmas Tree. They give you a tall stick to help you choose a tree. Which ever tree you choose, it just has to be taller than the stick. This way the older trees will always get cut down and not the new ones.

It is a special day for our little family, and it does wonders for getting us all in the Christmas spirit.

Once we get our tree all loaded up,

we head on home for some hot chocolate. It’s a great start to the fun season ahead.

Another tradition we have is decorating gingerbread houses…but that’s another story. ;)

As a child, traditions were the basis of my most cherished holiday memories.

Making candy with my mom, caroling with my aunts, uncles and cousins, lighting a candle on our Christmas plate for our Christmas dinner…  These were the things that could be counted on year after year.  They were what meant the Holidays to my siblings and me.

Now that I’m a mother, I think a lot about tradition.

What will make the holidays memorable for my children?

This week I am focusing on Traditions both old and new.

One of our favorite Traditions began the year I was married.  That year we bought the book The Polar Express.

From that year every year since we have purchased a Christmas book.

After more than a few years of marriage we’ve assembled a wonderful collection of Christmas books.

I make sure to inscribe the book each year with the date and our family name.

Beside the better known Polar Express and How the Grinch Store Christmas, here are a few of our favorites over the years:

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

This book is beautifully illustrated and beautifully written.  I can never read it aloud without emotion.  It’s a perfect book for teaching the truer meanings of the season.

I’ve talked about this book before, but it is one of our most beloved books and deserves a mention again:

Red Ranger Came Calling

Clever and imaginative, this book explores themes of cynicism, gratitude and faith.  The ending is such a delight.  I can hardly wait to curl up with the kids by the fire and listen to my husband (my own Red Ranger) read this story every Christmas season.

And here’s a lighthearted option:

How Murray Saved Christmas is always great for a laugh.

When Santa is put out of action Murray the deli owner is called in to the rescue.  Bagels and lox anyone?