https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 16:15:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2367506 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 19:41:36 +0000 MrsH 2367506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: lol - no, I bought two Mickey Mouse books and the rest were Christmas books we had (my mom used to be a teacher). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2367192 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:52:37 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2367192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do a gift from Mrs. Claus the Friday after Thanksgiving. New Christmas pajamas and a Christmas movie. A family friend used to do that and I loved the idea of doing the new jammies at the start of the Christmas season instead of Christmas Eve so the little ones can wear them all December. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366915 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:13:52 +0000 Greentea 2366915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Christmas Eve at my Aunt's with family<br /> Christmas Eve pajamas and one gift<br /> Christmas Eve hot chocolate and sledding<br /> Christmas tree farm for tree and decorating (this year we got a potted tree and made all the ornaments, we'll make some every year)<br /> Making fudge and cookies<br /> Christmas music on as soon as it comes on the radio<br /> Tree lighting ceremony downtown with caroling and figure skaters<br /> Going to see the capital tree downtown<br /> Nutcracker ballet (when age appropriate- it is all ages, maybe next year?)<br /> Making popcorn, beeswax candles, playing poker, uno, candy land, and yatzee, (maybe someday scrabble)<br /> Drive through Christmas light display<br /> Christmas train at botanical gardens<br /> Christmas festival in nearby town<br /> Choral concert<br /> Christmas breakfast of turkey bacon, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366905 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:05:13 +0000 LuLu Mom 2366905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Elf on the Shelf<br /> Decorate Christmas tree<br /> Decorate Christmas cookies<br /> Christmas movies (my favorite)<br /> We go to the lights parade every year (this year we are missing it and the girls are going with my sister due to an anniversary party we have)<br /> Christmas parties<br /> Family Christmas celebrations<br /> Santa in DH's hometown </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366901 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:03:23 +0000 bushelandapeck 2366901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>*Cut our own Christmas tree/decorate that evening<br /> *New ornament each year for every member of the family<br /> *Go to the tree lighting in our town<br /> *Take a polar express ride<br /> *Advent calendar<br /> *night before christmas pjs and one small gift to open<br /> *Elf on the shelf<br /> *watch the cartoon Grinch movie<br /> *Go to zoolights at our local zoo</p> <p>Christmas is my favorite time of year so we go a little overboard with the activities :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366881 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:38:00 +0000 mediagirl 2366881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Traditions on Christmas Eve: open gifts from her uncle, go to Christmas Eve service, leave out cookies and milk for santa with a carrot for Rudolph.<br /> Traditions on Christmas: Wake up early, open gifts. :)</p> <p>Everything else we do will change as years pass and she gets older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366879 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:34:55 +0000 lemondrop 2366879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: My husband's family thought it was a really strange tradition, but there is genius behind it and now my husband loves it ;) Pie lunch is pretty much the highlight of my year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366701 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 09:22:35 +0000 Alivoo01 2366701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got Christmas light strolling/cruising every year. I love Christmas lights personally so I totally love that DS loves it just as much. He gets so excited when he sees them!! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366612 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 06:33:55 +0000 hellobeeboston 2366612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: yummmm. I like that tradition!! We always make eggs Benedict ;) did it with my family growing up and now DH and I do ()</p> <p>@Oxana: sounds really great! </p> <p>@lemondrop: pie for lunch is an excellent idea!!!</p> <p>Besides breakfast, our only other tradition we started about 4 or 5 years ago is to go cut down our tree. When w decorate we drink eggnog with rum too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366563 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 23:51:37 +0000 lemondrop 2366563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>*Pie lunch on Thanksgiving (Pies for lunch instead of dinner, along with wine and cheese)<br /> *Hiking on Black Friday (unintentional every year, but going along with #optoutside this year since I love the idea)<br /> *Tree and lights up the Saturday after Thanksgiving along with the Ohio State/Michigan game (the one, single game my husband must watch every year)<br /> *Go see Santa in December/drive around to see lights<br /> * Walk the neighborhood on Christmas Eve, our neighborhood puts up luminarios<br /> *Read the night before Christmas on the night before Christmas :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366544 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 23:08:43 +0000 kitty 2366544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When DS is old enough we will do a walk of the neighborhood lights and I also want to make a decoration for the tree each year, just a wooden shape that is painted/glitter/collaged on. So each family member would make one each year and we can put them on the tree! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366536 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:51:36 +0000 mrsjazz 2366536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have any traditions yet besides going to pick out our tree and letting LO pick out the one she wants. This year she is more aware of Christmas and has told me Santa is bringing her presents (we've never talked to her about Santa).</p> <p>We're doing a Christmas countdown (similar to advent calendar) that we're decorating together. It will have treats and activities, like watching Christmas movies, baking cookies, picking out our tree, drawing her teachers a picture, getting new Christmas PJs.</p> <p>Seeing Santa will be on the list even though DH and I were hoping to avoid this.</p> <p>We want to start spending Christmas not having to travel, just staying in our PJs, eating pancakes, and watching movies but that will start next year.</p> <p>I was going to do the 25 books thing but that is just too much Christmas for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366516 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:15:00 +0000 regberadaisy 2366516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: we're riding the polar express for the first time this year! DD1 will be almost 4. Her two cousins will be in town and we're all going on it together. I'm so excited! Thankfully, DD2 is under 2 so she rides for free. ;) At $35 a pop it definitely won't be a yearly thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366473 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 21:03:18 +0000 cmomma17 2366473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oxana: you had me at Nutcracker :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366472 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 21:02:25 +0000 wrkbrk 2366472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: That looks delicious! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366469 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 21:01:29 +0000 travellingbee 2366469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: my mom is Swedish and we use her family recipe but they are fairly labor intensive so only do it around the holidays.<br /> Something like this:<br /> <a href="http://www.thegumdropbutton.com/2014/02/16/kanelbullarswedishcinnamonbuns/" rel="nofollow">http://www.thegumdropbutton.com/2014/02/16/kanelbullarswedishcinnamonbuns/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366466 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:58:45 +0000 wrkbrk 2366466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: What are swedish cinnamon rolls?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366464 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:57:25 +0000 matador84 2366464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Christmas Tree up<br /> Christmas lights up<br /> One book a day Christmas themed until Christmas (we reuse too)<br /> Advent calendar<br /> Christmas lights</p> <p>I want to take kids to a thing here where you ride a real train and the read the polar express, dress in pjs and drink hot choc but it's like 40/pp. might wait until kids are older to appreciate it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366456 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:51:47 +0000 fancyfunction 2366456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We decorate a live tree<br /> Watch Christmas shows - esp Charlie Brown<br /> Drive to see the lights on Xmas eve<br /> Open presents then make pancakes Xmas morning<br /> Bake cookies<br /> Advent calendar </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366435 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:35:20 +0000 sometimesshesings 2366435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: we check out about 3/4 of our books from the library and unwrap those first (3 week check out period.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366418 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:21:48 +0000 lovehoneybee 2366418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Last year I got most of our books from betterworldbooks.com and thrift stores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366415 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:20:13 +0000 Bao 2366415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: I wanted to do that but I don't have enough books! Did you buy all new? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366413 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:18:33 +0000 lovehoneybee 2366413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: Oh god no. I did get a couple of new ones this year...we moved and at least two of them were lost in the shuffle, and there were a couple that I thought were a little too old for him (The Polar Express is pretty long for him to sit still through right now, for instance). But the bulk I bought last year and we're just reusing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366409 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:16:43 +0000 Oxana 2366409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're atheists, and we celebrate the Winter Solstice as the return of the sun, etc. but it's pretty much like Christmas, just a little earlier in December. :happy: </p> <p>We see a local production of The Nutcracker every year. Until LO is 4 or 5, she'll stay with the grandparents. Once we start taking her, I'd like to take her to the nearest city to see the the professional ballet.</p> <p>We'll make gingerbread houses when she's old enough.</p> <p>We bake banana bread or cookies every year and bring them to all the neighbors.</p> <p>On Solstice Eve, we turn off all the lights (with the exception of the tree) to be mindful of how short the day is. We light candles and lamps, sing carols, and play games.</p> <p>We drink hot chocolate and eat cookies before bed on Solstice Eve.</p> <p>We make cinnamon rolls and a quiche Solstice morning.</p> <p>I make roast lamb for lunch/dinner. We drink cold hard cider and/or hot mulled wine. I plan on following the European tradition of allowing our kids one small cup of their choice.</p> <p>We make a charity shoebox for kids in Moldova.</p> <p>We get together with two other families to do presentations one night. Each person performs a song, recites a poem, puts on a short play with a few other people, etc. It's a lot of fun.</p> <p>We don't do Santa or the Elf, and we're not religious, but I hope that the traditions we have will make this time of year magical for our kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366406 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:14:57 +0000 travellingbee 2366406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: so do you buy 24 new Christmas books every year?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366405 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:14:22 +0000 MrsH 2366405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: this year we are wrapping up books for each night in December to countdown for Christmas. </p> [attach=1960/15/ny8u3z.450x600.image.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366404 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:10:32 +0000 lovehoneybee 2366404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We'll be putting up the tree together next weekend.</p> <p>I'm making a felt Christmas tree for him to decorate.</p> <p>Starting Dec 1st he'll get to unwrap and read a Christmas/Winter-themed book every night (our version of an advent calendar).</p> <p>We're going to a Christmas tree lighting early in the month.<br /> I'll try to find the energy for cookies, lol.</p> <p>Watching the animated Grinch.</p> <p>We'll do a Christmas Eve box...it'll have new Christmas PJs, a movie (I think this year I got a Muppet Christmas movie), a bag of popcorn, hot cocoa, and his last wrapped Christmas book, which is Twas the Night Before Christmas.</p> <p>Christmas morning I'll make pigs in a blanket, like my mom used to make when I was very small. </p> <p>This is all dependent on when I go into labor, of course :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366393 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 19:57:13 +0000 travellingbee 2366393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go Christmas tree cutting in early December, and decorate it together obviously. We are starting a new tradition to do an advent calendar this year. We make Swedish cinnamon buns sometime in December. We find neighborhood lights to drive by. Last year we did lights at the zoo but it was so crowded I don't think we'll do that again. Plus I am hugely pregnant and that doesn't sound fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366388 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 19:49:06 +0000 regberadaisy 2366388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always put the tree up as a family with Christmas music.<br /> Either DH or Papa reads "'Twas the night before Christmas" on Christmas Eve, in front of the fire.<br /> They get to open one gift on Xmas eve.<br /> We always make Christmas Day brunch<br /> We started making gingerbread houses last year.<br /> We sponsor a local family every year<br /> This year we started Operation Christmas Child and I plan to do that yearly </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/holiday-traditionsactivities#post-2366386 Sun, 22 Nov 2015 19:47:26 +0000 FaithFertility 2366386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I always made cinnimon buns Christmas morning and we plan to continue with DD and future kiddos :) </p>