Decking the Halls

I love Christmas....more importantly, I love the warmth, the joy and the family traditions that come along with it.

As I get older (I'm certainly not getting an younger) I find that I spend more time in reflection, savoring moments that may never come again.

One of my favorite times is when we decorate the tree. We get out the hot cocoa and eggnog, then my husband and I sit back to watch the large production of adorning our 9 foot tree. Our children know how it works (we've done it the same ways for years).

When my children were much smaller, I wanted them to be able to enjoy decorating the tree, as well as satisfy my "OCD" ways. ;). Sooo, I bought boxes and boxes of colorful Christmas balls...we have so many balls that they can put them wherever they want with no worries that someone will rearrange them because they are too close. Our tree is LOADED with these simple little balls.

After the hundreds (seriously, hundreds) of balls are on, then we bring out the special ornaments. Everyone gets to place their special ornaments which turns out to be quite a treat for them.

Once the tree is loaded, everyone steps back commenting how beautiful it turned out with the usual, "I love our tree" comments. :)

I love being a mom. I love the privilege that I have to impact and raise these special children that I have been blessed with. My heart overflows with joy!

Traditions of Purpose

 

 There are just some things that we have to do.

 

Yes, I know the old line " death and taxes".

 

But for me, I feel the need for more...

                                              like family traditions.

Do you have any?

You should- at least that is this writer's humble opinion.

What do "traditions" really mean to your family?

I don't really care what they are but I think that they give a sense of belonging, security and love. You see, your traditions are unique to your family and the things that you do include those that you're close to.

It may be certain foods you cook for a particular occasion, the way you celebrate special days, the way you decorate, games you play, people you visit...the list can go on and on. Whatever they are, they serve a very special purpose.

For my family, we have ALOT of traditions...

I decorate the house for EVERY season. There are certain decorations that have their special place each year. My girls could put everything out with their eyes closed- they've watched me do it for so long. If I tried to do it any different, the house would be in an uproar! ;)

When it comes time for a birthday, we don't really do parties but celebrate with going out for a breakfast date with mom and dad. That evening, we celebrate as a family with a favorite meal- a special request.

 

 

At Thanksgiving, dinner is always very special. The table is decorated beautifully. We get out the silver, cloth napkins and special dishes. Each child finds a festively wrapped ornament at their place.

These special ornaments will be placed on the tree the next day when all of the Fall decorations are put away and the loads of Christmas decorations are brought out.

 

 

When my children are ready to marry and start families of their own, they will have special ornaments from their childhood as a start for their family collection

A few years ago, when our oldest was in college, we went to visit her for Thanksgiving and packed the china, silver and fall decorations. We cooked the entire meal in the hotel room with crockpots and a microwave.

 

We spread out the tablecloth, decorated the table, lit the candles, placed the ornaments on each child's plate and enjoyed our family Thanksgiving in the hotel room.

 

 

  My kids loved it!

  

 

 

 

These are the kind of things that they will probably repeat with their own families and the traditions will live on.

This is all part of living purposefully.

We should not just stumble through life, trying to make it from day to day living, being subject to whatever comes our way.

 

Living a life of purpose is much more than that! I don't do all of these things just for me- I do them for my children. I believe it's important. I want my children to feel loved, to be secure and confident in their place in this world...and traditions are tools to accomplish just that. :)