Christmas Traditions

I think Christmas traditions are neat.  I want my boys to grow up remembering fun things we did during the month of December.  Most importantly, I want them to know that we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus’s birth, not because of decorations, traditions, and toys.  However, we do like to have fun.  I wanted to share some things we do at the Lamar household.

The first Christmas season we had Ford, (2009) I went out and bought The Elf on the Shelf.  We named our elf, Elfie (original, I know) and we have a blast looking for him every day.  Elfie doesn't cause any trouble; he just lands somewhere high and safe so John Brantley won’t grab him.  

 Sometimes he even leaves fun treats like Mickey cookies!!!!

I always save my Christmas cards all year long in a basket.  When people would come and visit during the month of December they would always look through and see who all sent us a card.  Last year I saw on Pinterest that someone had hot glued ribbon to their cabinets to display the cards.  I thought that was genius!!!  With that being said, I decided it would be a new tradition of mine as well.  This is year number two with my cards hanging all over my kitchen.  

 It’s hard for Ford to understand how long it is until Santa comes.  To alleviate any confusing we have been making Christmas chains for three years now.  It hangs in Ford’s bedroom and every night we tear a link off.  I have a feeling that Bitty will need his own next year!

 Last year I got a gingerbread house kit for Ford to assemble.  He thought it was super fun so I bought another one for this year.  We will continue this tradition until they go to college as well!!!

 Some pieces got eaten...

 Tadaaaaa….  

I am really not a Pinterest person for the simple fact that I don’t have time to get sucked into the creative world for hours.  If I had a desk job I am sure I would be tempted to browse the site on a daily basis, but with two little ones at home that won’t work.  However, I did see a Santa on there last year and decided I’d try to make him.  For some strange reason my stuff NEVER turns out like the picture.  Who am I kidding… I am not craftsy.  Every day I let the boys put on 2 cotton balls each.  Naturally, John Brantley doesn't quite get the concept and puts them on Santa’s eyes and nose.  This absolutely sends Ford into OCD orbit.  He immediately must fix the cotton balls according to his standards.  

 The year I had Ford I saw a gingerbread man cookie sheet at Wal-Mart.  It was just screaming, “BUY ME!!!”  I did.  I have made a big gingerbread man cookie every year since.  The batter actually makes two cookies so I let Ford take one to school to decorate.   

I bought chocolate icing instead of white…. Oops!  

These are some of the fun things we do at our house!!!