Definition of Tradition: •The word tradition comes from the Latin traditionem, acc. of traditio which means "handing over, passing on", and is used in a number of ways in the English language: # Beliefs or customs taught by one generation to the next, often orally.
Growing up I had lots of "unspoken" traditions in my family. Things we always did but didnt quite know why. Now as a mother it's very important for me to have great traditions with my own family and make sure these pass along to my grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc...Here are some that Ive been doing for the past 3 years and want to start doing with the years to come.
1.Decorations: Chritsmas Lights & Tree's are one of my favorite things to do. My mom is kind of a xmas natzi & since where living with her at the moment it's not easy but I have a mini tree for Julian & I in his room. Outside lights are fun to put up as well. We get creative every year and add stuff to our collection.
2.Gingerbread House: I always get the best kits for like $20 in Costco's. Theyre Huge, easy to make and come out so cute! We have a blast eating them too ofcoarse. Ive done that with my step son these past 3 years since Julian was still too little but this year I know he'll join the festivities!
3.Stockings: I never did this too much growing up. Yeah we had some stockings but none with our names on them or anything and no gifts in them on xmas morning =( But for my tradition I want to have one for each of us Homemade w/our names on them and our jobs for these little socks before xmas morning will be to make one homemade gift to stuff them with each xmas morning =0)
4.Cookies: You'll notice throughout my upcoming blogs that I love to bake!! Cakes, cookies, pies, cupcakes. You name it, I bake it! Ive always done this on my own & have truely enjoyed doing it with my stepson on holidays! What I like to do is bake them a day or 2 before xmas so we can leave em out for "santa" on xmas eve. We use cookie cutters, colorful icing and xmas sprinkles.
5. S'mores & Hot chocolate nights: What beats the winter blues ? A hot treat! Xmas movie nights on the weekends along with yummy s'mores and fresh hot chocolate with *Extra marshmellows & Hersheys* is absolutely amazing! The grinch, Look who's talking 3, Home alone, and the Holiday are some of my personal favorites!
6.Christmas Cards: Now this is definetly something Ive done my whole life! I love buying and mailing out beautiful cards to spread christmas cheer! the only difference is now we send them out with family portraits! Love it!
7.Crafts & Countdowns: A new tradition ive brought upon myself. Making xmas crafts at school will be a done deal for my little one as he grows but I definetly want to do more at home for simple pleasures. A countdown craft sounds perfect to keep up with the days left till xmas.
8.Miami Events: Santa's enchanted forrest, the gables park wonderland, pictures with santa, train rides at the mall, one I havent done but want to is the winter wonderland they host at the miami sequarium. Last years event at jungle island was amazing! They had iceskating and a snowfall!
9.Christmas eve & Day: we always have a big "cuban/colombian" party at night. Family, friends, lechon en la caja china, congris, Ham, all the goods. Music, drinks, kids running everywhere, dancing, this year Im sure they'll be playing Wii =). It's my step sons birthday that day as well so we usually cut him a cake early that afternoon and give him presents! Now.. time to leave santa his cookies and milk and wait for xmas morning. Now last but not least, the tradition of opening gifts xmas morning. I know theres families that like to do it at 12am but I see nothing fun about that. There's more joy and fun in having to wait besides, it totally backs up the santa story lol It's much more believable that santa drops off the gifts while your asleep AND it makes it easier on us parents for bedtime!
1. Decorations: We always put up lit up pumpkins, ghost lights, spiderweb, & all sorts of fun things we collect and add on to every year.
2. Weekly scary movie nights are a must! Popcorn, and Koolaid with eyeballs are a fun finishing touch to these nights! Hocus Pocus, The Little Vampire, Elmos says Boo, A nightmare b4 Christmas, Casper & Beatle Juice are my top kid friendly choices.
3. Crafts! Duhhh! Masks, edible treats, glitter, costumes anything you can make creatively.
4. My son is too young for this now but when he's older id like to add a night somewhere in the month for scary stories. make we can camp out in the yard and roast marshmellows and say em.
5. Every year I take Julian to "The little Farm" for a pumpkin patch. They have pony rides, scarecrow kits, petting zoo's and more. Ofocarse we come home with a pumkin and carve a Jack-o-lantern. Hugo & I's competetive side usually comes out here lol
6. Cookies- been doing this with my stepson and Julian and plan on continuing. Cookie cutters, halloween spinkles, etc..
7.Costumes & Trick or Treating: On the night of All hallows eve we like to get together and have a little pre-Halloween party with goolish treats, pizza, & music. Costumes are manditory! Just when the sun starts to set we go trick or treating! This is my fave because Julian & I are candy hogs! The end!
Valentines: The day of love. When all the couples in the world waste money to prove their love lol.
1. Giving out cards, candy, & wearing red. Thats about it for me. I usually get a little cute gift for Juju.
*This holiday is more for daddy & I to celebrate ;)*
1. Family Bbq
2. Fireworks!
Thankgiving: The day to give thanks and gratitude!
1. My Own Dinner: Every year since I was little we've always had these enormous potluck type of dinners at a family members house. This year and the years to come I want to have a pre-dinner lunch of our own just Hugo & the kids. I'd like to make the 3 coarse meal myself the all american way. See my family is hispanic so we have more of a hispanic dinner. Im a fan of a good american country style food so this year around ( hoping were out of my parents ofcoarse) I want the works.. Turkey, mash & gravy, corn or corn bread, apple pie and all that =P
Easter: The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1. Making easter egss
2. Easter egg hunts.
3. Easter gift basket for the kids.
Newyears Eve: Saying goodbye to year and hello to the new year come. Making wishes and resolutions.
1. PARTY PARTY PARTY.
2. Countdown and eating our 12 grapes along with making a wish per grape while drinking champange ( apple juice for the little ones).
3. Fireworks!
Those are all the traditions I hope to have and pass along to my son. I hope he enjoys them as much as I have and do <3 If im missing any feel free to share =)
-Dee
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