tradition

Although my family is very close, we don’t have too many traditions. Back when we were kids we’d always have cinnamon rolls for breakfast Christmas morning with my mom after opening presents. My mom would also leave my brother and I each a stocking next to our bed when we were younger age. It was filled with activities for us on Christmas morning so we had something to do when we woke up super early, and my mom could sleep in! I really like that one, and am definitely going to incorporate that into my daughter’s life.

But my favorite holiday tradition was our countdown advent calendars.

It’s been mine since I was two! Also, please ignore the hideous wall color – it’s my last section of wall to paint white and it’s being done TOMORROW! So excited.

Isn’t it great? 100% handmade by my grandmother for my second Christmas in 1989. The fact that it’s handmade by her makes it extra special to me. Each and every little ornament and decoration for the tree – I just love the details. The second it is hanging in my house it immediately feels like Christmas to me.

Although some pieces are getting a bit scraggly (it is 25 years old after all, and has been used EVERY year since it was made!) I will never retire it. Now it’s a tradition that I carry on with my daughter! She gets so excited to add a new decoration every day, leading up to Santa.

As of right now, it’s the only tradition we really have. So I’ll need to come up with a few for her to grow up with! Do you have any holiday traditions you do with your family? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear them!