Traditionally...

For some reason, people insist upon Christmas Traditions. Is it just a comfort thing? Is it because it worked so well that we want to keep doing it? Is it because our parents did it, so we do it, too? Is it part of the "old days" that we want to hang on to?
As Tevke says in Fiddler on the Roof: "Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything... How to sleep, how to eat... how to work... how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered, and always wear a little prayer shawl that shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, "How did this tradition get started?" I'll tell you! [pause] I don't know. But it's a tradition... and because of our traditions... Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do. Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions our lives would be as shaky as, as... as a fiddler on the roof!"

Well, for whatever reason, Christmas around here is steeped in tradition.

Here is our Advent calendar where we count down the days...Youngest to Oldest, of course.

We decorate every room in the house. This is my beautiful Christmas quilt that Eileen made for us when we got married. The kids all have Christmas pillowcases.

And ornaments on their bedroom doors.Everyone loves to decorate the tree.Christmas cards...Stockings hung by the chimney with care... Kitchen chairs...Cute Christmas plates... The front porch... This year, we started a new tradition. My mom and sisters and I each bought 4 pears and traded them to put in our "pear tree." How do you like my partridge? Just wait a few years, it will be awesome... We got this cute idea from Allison. This is our "Elf on the Shelf." He reports to Santa each night if kids are naughty or nice. Then he is in a different place every morning. They love finding him...

On Christmas Eve, we open a present. We have to explain that it is going to be jammies, because one year, the dissapointment was too much for one of them. I mean seriously, to look at all the presents under the tree, wait, hope and finally get to open one and have it be jammies was a little too much. This is last year's picture.

We give gifts to our neighbors and friends. The 3 big boys gave their friends "whoopie cushions" this year. Talk about something you never grow out of.

Little Joe gave his friends "play doh."because whoopie cushions aren't funny when you are still in diapers.

Christmas is so magical for the little ones. This year, Andrew has been talking so much about Santa and Baby Jesus. I have been pointing out the characters in nativity scenes we see and Joey gets so mad when I point to the baby and tell him it is Jesus. He points to Joseph and says, "Jesus." Which totally makes sense because all the pictures he has seen of Jesus are of a man with a beard--not a baby. This is my favorite decoration of all--my Nativity. I love it. My parents gave it to me a few years ago and i have been adding the pieces as they come out. Last year, I got the shepherd and his wife and child. I love that Joseph is holding the baby. I love the cool wisemen and the camel. I know we get totally pre-occupied with Santa and presents and shopping and all those things, so it is nice to be able to look at this sweet scene and remember the Savior and the real meaning of Christmas.

What are YOUR family traditions?