Thursday, November 13, 2008

Holiday Traditions

Blog party day 2!

Today at http://www.momdot.com/ they are asking us to share our favorite family traditions and maybe some we would like to begin! Today's question is sponsored by LaPlates and Lets Go Strolling and Natitys Design.
Well, our family is different. My husband is born and bred German and I'm born and bred American. Living overseas I only get to celebrate with my family every other year because we are obligated to visit his family on the off years... one of the very few downfalls of marriage is having to share holidays. My husband's family are not believers and that makes Christmas there really difficult for me because I feel like the meaning of Christmas is being ignored and forgotten! Not to mention theydon't even put up a Christmas tree, it's a Christmas bush so to speak... So, I will just talk about my side of the family,otherwise I'll get depressed and I'll depress y'all which doesn't make for much of a party ... hahaha. Have you guessed whose year it is for Christmas yet .... lol. So, here's what I'll be missing this year. Actually, I'm going home next week so I will at least get turkey day with my folks :D On Thanksgiving, it is tradition that we watch the macy's thanksgiving day parade (my favorite is always the rockets, and whatever broadway show's they are showcasing), as soon as the parade is finished, Turkey is served . After Turkey begins the Christmas movie marathon! Then midnight madness at the outlets (this will be a new tradition for us this year :D), and Friday morning isreservedfor best buy. Friday AFternoon we get the tree, decorate and this year we'll celebrate Christmas. When I'm with my side of the family for Christmas there are lots of traditions and I love them all! Beginning with Thanksgiving we watch a Christmas movie everynight until New year's day! We decorate really big, you'll notice the gigantic Christmas tree (complete with train, mini village and fake snow blanket) and huge nutcracker in the photo from my day 1 party post. We also always sing with our Church choir at Epcot's candlelight processional! It is an amazing experience, and if you are going to the parks this year I definitely recommend this concert/reading of the Christmas story for getting in the Christmas spirit. On Christmas Eve we attend the fantastic musical Christmas eve service at our church, we all sing in the choir, then go home bake cookies and watch the musical version of scrooge with Albert Finney. It's my dad's favorite. At the end of the movie, my dad gets up sings one more verse of "thank you very much" while jigging and clicking his heels like scrooge and we set out the cookies and milk for Santa complete with carrot for Rudolph. My parents always told me that as long as I "believed" in Santa there would be presents from Santa. So I'm a 26 year old believer in Santa Clause :D hehe. Then Christmas morning we all get up have a pancake breakast made by daddy, and the present opening marathon begins. We take turns unwrapping because we all really like to see each other's reactions to our gifts, especially when we've put a lot of thought into it. If Christmas falls on a Sunday then we have pancakes, then church, and then present unwrapping. Mom makes an awesome roast for Christmas dinner which we eat at lunch. The rest of Christmas day is spent hanging with the family watching Christmas movies and playing with Christmas presents! Oh and we are big on Carols. My family is very musical and we randomly burst into song at anytime during the holiday season with our favorite Christmas carols. Everyone has their own part and everything! Sometimes we even go caroling to the neighbors houses! So that's it, that's what my family does traditionally for the holidays!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, your family is just beautiful and I can see why you'd be bummed. I didn't see my family last year and I was miserable. At least there's thanksgiving! Here's My Day 2! I have Mr. Linky up, so leave your link!

Hanging Off The Wire said...

I love the Macy's parade too! Sorry about Xmas with his family, that stinks because there are so many great Xmas German traditions (my family is part German). Anyways, enjoy your Xmas no matter how it is celebrated!

Cat@3KidsandUs said...

I can see why you'd be bummed every other Christmas, a bush isn't very festive.

Proud Mommy said...

Gorgeous baby girl!!! I can't imagine having a Christmas "bush"

Staci A said...

Your family is beautiful. I'd be sad with a Christmas bush too. I hope you have a wonderful trip home for Thanksgiving!

Michelle@lifeinawhirlwind said...

It's hard when your IL don't believe. And what the heck is a Christmas bush? Sounds like something right off of Charlie Brown. At least you get every other year with your family.

CompleteLee Blogger said...

Yeah, bummer. I hope you get to find a few cool German Christmas things to do anyway with your little one. We enjoy all our Swedish traditions along with our American ones.

Trish said...

My husband's family is very musical too, and they all love to sing, but they rotate the parts up. I'm just happy i have a little bit of musical talent to somewhat join in with them!

Andrea said...

Sounds like your family really enjoys the holiday!

Natalie said...

My husband randomly bursts into song all year round. He Loves Jingle Bells lol. That is crazy that they have a Christmas bush!

Tena said...

You have a beautiful family!!

I couldn't imagine not seeing family, but I know you will make the most of the special day just the same
{{{ hugs }}}

MMJ said...

Beautiful family! Christmas next year will be here before you know it!

Unknown said...

Good Lord you're busy!

I love your traditions... so sorry about your in-laws, though. Just keep praying that God will reveal Himself to them in a way that they can't resist. I'll believe with you.

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving... just be Jesus to your in-laws this Christmas.

Momstart said...

Sounds busy , your pictures are nice. I won't see any of my family this year and haven't been there for Christmas since 2004. Can't wait to go again next year.

Rita @ My Precious Pennies said...

...is that second picture inside of one of those ice sculpture things? That's awesome.

Anonymous said...

Your traditions are so nice. The situation with you husband's family is tough! I hope your holiday is great anyway. It will be with your daughter - just try to focus on her. You have a beautiful family and I love the first pic of your daughter!

Positively Peaches said...

I am a 27 year old believer in Santa. I will always be a believer.

prozac and heart defects in babies said...

We always watch Blackadder on Christmas.