https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 16 Jun 2026 07:39:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902670 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 10:32:47 +0000 periwinklebee 2902670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: @bhbee: @SweetiePie: @wrkbrk: @cake2017: Thank you all - I love these ideas!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902667 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 09:58:22 +0000 bhbee 2902667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: we do a Halloween house (or two) every year now and I just bought three Christmas houses! (Well, one is the camper Target is selling this year, one is a chalet from Target and one is a log cabin from Michaels - love how many varieties are available now!). I always get extra candy also. My almost 8 year old is super into it (we are going to do gingerbread fairy houses for her January bday), almost 5 year old does it for a while and I love it. For Christmas gingerbread decorating we always do it with my mom at Thanksgiving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902666 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 08:37:10 +0000 SweetiePie 2902666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: My aunt and uncle always did the birthday cake for Jesus and I thought that was so lovely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902665 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 08:36:20 +0000 jhd 2902665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: yes! We have tried to find a different one each year. This year I found an Oreo one! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902664 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 08:35:42 +0000 SweetiePie 2902664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BUNBUN: oh yeah, PJs! Forgot that one. The kids at the very least. This year I got the two of them one set matching of nice HA ones with trees. And then one set for all of us (cheap old navy, got the red an black buffalo plaid so that my Jewish husband wouldn’t freak out, hahaha). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902663 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 08:32:58 +0000 SweetiePie 2902663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: I forgot about the gingerbread. I’ve done that every year with my older one since he was 2. It’s been so much fun to see how he progresses every year!<br /> It’s prebuilt so you literally just decorate it. Putting the sides up and hoping it stays is too stressful for me 😂<br /> We get something like this from bed bath and beyond.<br /> <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-Ready-to-Decorate-Spiced-Up-Gingerbread-House-Decorating-Kit/326843395?wmlspartner=wlpa&#038;selectedSellerId=0&#038;wl13=3547&#038;adid=22222222228310788723&#038;wl0=&#038;wl1=g&#038;wl2=m&#038;wl3=392251390038&#038;wl4=aud-834279575686:pla-1023665253752&#038;wl5=9004232&#038;wl6=&#038;wl7=&#038;wl8=&#038;wl9=pla&#038;wl10=8175035&#038;wl11=local&#038;wl12=326843395&#038;veh=sem&#038;gclid=Cj0KCQiA2b7uBRDsARIsAEE9XpFSH6pyHCV4ptTGCDtbrh-trTVTjgFHZXJ3S4qC4GWwSKy9YcIB1MEaAhtLEALw_wcB" rel="nofollow">https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-Ready-to-Decorate-Spiced-Up-Gingerbread-House-Decorating-Kit/326843395?wmlspartner=wlpa&#038;selectedSellerId=0&#038;wl13=3547&#038;adid=22222222228310788723&#038;wl0=&#038;wl1=g&#038;wl2=m&#038;wl3=392251390038&#038;wl4=aud-834279575686:pla-1023665253752&#038;wl5=9004232&#038;wl6=&#038;wl7=&#038;wl8=&#038;wl9=pla&#038;wl10=8175035&#038;wl11=local&#038;wl12=326843395&#038;veh=sem&#038;gclid=Cj0KCQiA2b7uBRDsARIsAEE9XpFSH6pyHCV4ptTGCDtbrh-trTVTjgFHZXJ3S4qC4GWwSKy9YcIB1MEaAhtLEALw_wcB</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902662 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 08:12:20 +0000 wrkbrk 2902662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BUNBUN: Yes to Xmas pjs! We get some every year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902661 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 08:12:03 +0000 wrkbrk 2902661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: December. They have all their special thanksgiving things out now! We may have also done a gingerbread haunted house from there last month ... 😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902658 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 06:01:26 +0000 cake2017 2902658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We bake a birthday cake for Jesus, sugar cookies, and read the Christmas Story in the bible. LO1 will be 2.5 yo I think he will like to help decorate and/or ice the the cookies and cake.</p> <p>@wrkbrk: When does TJ have these? I know Lo1 would enjoy this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902657 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 23:16:57 +0000 BUNBUN 2902657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: ooh, I’ll have to look out for the train!<br /> And I also love seeing DS in Xmas pjs all month. Maybe that’s what he will get for St Nicholas day... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902651 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 20:57:18 +0000 wrkbrk 2902651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and also, TJ sells a gingerbread train kit! We did it last year and DS is already asking for it again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902650 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 20:56:04 +0000 wrkbrk 2902650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m not really sure if this counts as an activity, but it’s definitely our holiday tradition for the last four years since DS has been here! We get him the chocolate advent calendar from Trader Joe’s and each day of December he gets a piece of chocolate before breakfast! But now we make him find the right number first ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902644 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 20:33:22 +0000 bhbee 2902644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thought of another fun one - homemade gingerbread playdough with a few cookie cutters. Pretty easy to make once and lasts a while. Good for lots of ages! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902641 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 20:22:08 +0000 jhd 2902641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I give my kids their Christmas jammies Thanksgiving weekend when we put up our tree (very very simple decorations &amp; prelit tree!). I love to see them in their Santa or elf jammies all through December. :)</p> <p>We also do a drive through lights with snacks in the car, a boxed gingerbread house with cousins over thanksgiving weekend, and Christmas books. I have collected many of the Christmas books from a local used bookstore for cheap. One year I wrapped them up as a countdown to Christmas, but I'm sure I won't have time this year. Oh and we also do Advent Calendars. My 5yo is getting a Lego one this year and I'm so excited. My mom got them the chocolate ones from TJ's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902632 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 18:20:38 +0000 pachamama 2902632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: God bless the people who have the energy and time to do those lighted displays! I do like one measly strand on my porch. My almost 4 year old has been SO excited about lights in the neighborhood so maybe I need to up my game 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902629 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 17:08:01 +0000 annem1990 2902629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are neighborhoods around us that go “all out” and have very elaborate decorations every year. We always get in our PJs on Christmas Eve and drive around them to look while we listen to Christmas music. Super relaxing, completely free and it’s fun to comment how the houses change each year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902626 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:59:02 +0000 periwinklebee 2902626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love these so much! Feeling much more excited about all the low-key things to do rather than overwhelmed! (our holiday traditions growing up revolved more around elaborate crafting for family gifts and elaborate baking - let me be honest, these are not things I'm good at even without being pregnant/having a newborn... :silly: )</p> <p>@Becky: @bhbee: absolutely love the idea of an advent book calendar, and the other ideas as well! My toddler would love taking ornaments on and off a little tree! </p> <p>@BUNBUN: Love these! </p> <p>@SweetiePie: Pilsbury - genius! I'm also thinking those pig in the blankets that you can make just by plopping a mini sausage and piece of cheese in a Pilbsbury biscuit :silly: </p> <p>@muffinsmuffins: Our backyard actually has a perfectly sloped hill for little kid sledding if there's snow, and good to find some way to get outside a bit still. Love the other ideas too!</p> <p>@graceandjoy: @Doodle: Great ideas! ha ha, I'm so cheap, I don't want to buy Christmas pjs for the baby in the event she ends up coming after her due date. If she arrives before the holidays are over i am definitely amazon priming some matching christmas jammies for her and LO - my heart melts thinking about the cuteness 😃 I remember seeing kids Christmas jammies being one of the more depressing triggers when we were TTC LO1 and it was taking awhile... just because they are so darn cute... </p> <p>@lindseykaye: Love this, and love low key meals! </p> <p>@erinbaderin: @pachamama: I'm pretty sure my toddler would get a huge kick out of sprinkles, hah hah - even if on top of a mediocre cookie - and for some reason my husband has a childlike affection for them too, so win, win. </p> <p>@charm55: This sounds adorable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902625 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:47:58 +0000 Ajsmommy 2902625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some things we do:<br /> bake cookies<br /> listen to lots of Christmas music<br /> DD picks out one gift to give DS and helps wrap it<br /> DS will do same (if he's interested.. only 2.5)<br /> We make hand print and foot print ornaments ( i buy the kids from bb&amp;b after xmas for like half price and use it for the next year)<br /> Watch Christmas movies, specifically the grinch and Rudolph<br /> New pj's xmas eve<br /> decorate a ginger bread house (premade bc not is HORRIBLE)<br /> Go to see a santa<br /> write letter to santa to mail and on xmas eve<br /> elf on a shelf comes for the month of December<br /> we have a nice slow relaxing breakfast on Christmas morning... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902623 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:27:18 +0000 charm55 2902623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I change their bedding to Christmas duvets/pillows and it is one of their favourite things .. pretty easy , too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902621 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:19:25 +0000 pachamama 2902621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also 9m pregnant at Xmas! We made cookies (my stepsister hosts a cookie decorating party. So fun). We make felt ball garland- every year ...you can make one or two for another family member / friend (check out Amazon). A local place does a Xmas light display so we'll always check that out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902618 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:01:06 +0000 Doodle 2902618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Matching pjs on Christmas Eve </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902610 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:35:18 +0000 erinbaderin 2902610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cookie decorating - maybe you could do slice and bake cookies if you aren’t up to baking this year? We go to the store and let the kids pick out an ornament each year, which they really enjoy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902604 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:14:08 +0000 lindseykaye 2902604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Low key traditions for our family are the only ones we have haha. I spread activities out over the month ahead of the holiday (like baking cookies, seeing Santa and lights, or stuff that takes time/planning/money to do) so that we don't feel rushed or overwhelmed around the actual holiday.<br /> Lots of our "tradition" involves how I do food/prep to keep the time spent in the kitchen low so we (I) can be with our families.</p> <p>- Decorating over Thanksgiving weekend. Lots of time, but early enough to enjoy them over the season.<br /> - Pizza for xmas eve dinner. We do a nicer xmas day dinner so it's fun to just to something simple on xmas eve. We've done homemade (store bought dough) and made them look like snowmen. And the last couple years I made it even easier by getting pre-made naan bread (big and small) to just top and bake.<br /> - Make-ahead xmas day breakfast. Usually something I can put in the fridge overnight and then pop in the oven in the morning - french toast bake, strata, etc. Then I can assemble it after the kids are in bed on xmas eve and don't have to cook that morning.<br /> - Snack lunch on xmas day - again with the minimal kitchen time. I like to get frozen appetizers and bake them up mid-day when we want to snack.<br /> - Slow-cooker xmas dinner. Something a little fancy like short ribs or a nice roast, but in the crockpot so I don't have to do much. Pair it with simple sides and you're done.<br /> - I always put on the nutcracker suite and the 'fireplace for your TV' when we open presents. And then I put on the actual nutcracker ballet (the Pacific Northwest Ballet /Maurice Sendak set version) after presents are done.<br /> - We do an xmas eve present of pjs and an ornament.</p> <p>Also, we typically spend xmas with just our small family at home, so these are things that really work for us and might be different if we celebrated with a lot of extended family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902585 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:33:40 +0000 graceandjoy 2902585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just really started to think about traditions last year when my girls were 4 and 2. I think the only one we had when DD1 was 3, was that she picked out 1 ornament for the tree. I really try to keep it low-key since 1) we want the emphasis to be celebrating birth of Jesus and 2) both their birthdays are already in Dec so we have enough festivities going on! </p> <p>1) Girls each pick out a new ornament<br /> 2) Advent calendar<br /> 3) Decorating cookies<br /> 4) Driving through holiday light show<br /> 5) I bust out the Christmas books collection (mostly about Jesus)<br /> 6) Matching family PJs<br /> 7) Last Christmas we did a cozy pancake breakfast picnic watching something Christmas-y </p> <p>Oh and we decorate the day after Thanksgiving! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902584 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:32:24 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2902584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last Christmas Eve we did a drive around the neighbourhood looking at lights just me and our older son because DW was nursing our younger. He loved it! Then we did dinner of appetizers, chip and dip, etc while we watched the old school Grinch movie in the living room together. Just eating in the living room was exciting to him! Dance party to Christmas music, salt dough, putting up Christmas window clings, early New Years party with our friends who also have little kids. Sledding is always a big hit too. I usually baby wore little bro and DW would slide. Then hot chocolate at home. Popcorn and Christmas movies. I also order a pre made Christmas turkey dinner that just needs to be heated for Christmas Day...worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902583 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:29:55 +0000 SweetiePie 2902583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom always made cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. But like the pillsbury canned ones. Doesn’t get more low key than that 😋 it has become a very special tradition that I do with my kids now.<br /> Of course watching The Grinch with “warm” cocoa and popcorn. It’s short (45 mins or so) so it’s low commitment for that young age. Do the original. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902582 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:26:52 +0000 BUNBUN 2902582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! My b-day is 12/28 :grin: (it's a fun time of year to have a bday, once you get over the tough to have a big party thing)<br /> I love this post because "low key" is my comfort level!<br /> DS is 3, and I'm still working on what we want our family "traditions" to be.</p> <p>I like to put a piece of candy and fruit (and maybe a little treat or socks) in everyone's stockings on St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6) to kind of "kick off" the season. I'm also trying to choose a charity or some other recipient at this time. Last year I "adopted" a kid from our YMCA's angel tree - I'd like to have DS help shop for said kid some day.</p> <p>My DH keeps trying to introduce DS to the "classics" we grew up with: Rudolph, etc. Frosty was the only one watched for more than 30 seconds last year!</p> <p>I break out all the Christmas books after Thanksgiving. I like the idea of doing a new one each night though! I'll wrap them and give them to DS at bedtime.</p> <p>We have started decorating the house (esp the outside) when my parents are visiting for Thanksgiving. I'm hoping to incorporate hot chocolate this year (if it's not 80 degrees)</p> <p>I made and he decorated sugar cookies last year and gave them as gifts to his teachers. He really loved the sprinkles!</p> <p>His grandma takes him shopping at a big Christmas decoration store and he picks our a new ornament with her. (I also get him an ornament every year that I'm hoping will represent his interests each year. Last year was Thomas, this year it's Mater)</p> <p>It's hard with early bedtime, but I'd like to do Christmas lights at the zoo or just around the neighborhood. </p> <p>@Becky: I love your New Year's idea. I might do that this year! DS loves doing "cheers" and clinking glasses</p> <p>Now that I'm thinking of it, I might have him decorate little ornaments with his school photo for grandparents, godparents, etc. We'll see if I actually follow through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902580 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:16:01 +0000 bhbee 2902580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So many good holiday books!! They get so excited when we get them out even though my oldest is reading chapter books now. I have a whole bin now. </p> <p>Tiny tree - like the cheap 12” from target or whatever - of their own. One of my favorite videos is my almost 2yo taking all the ornaments off an telling us what they are (Star, snowman, airplane, etc). They can do lots of on and off and carrying them around so nothing breakable of course. Now at an older age they have a collection from us or other relatives also. </p> <p>Cookies! Just making them, or decorating - it can change every year what that means. But even a 2yo can enjoy putting something like m&amp;ms on (I know it may be tricky with your allergies). </p> <p>Looking at lights - close by or a driving tour if you know a good neighborhood. Play Christmas music and hot cocoa when older. I also always make breakfast for dinner beforehand, pancake snowmen with bacon scarves and strawberry hats! Also dance parties at home to Christmas music and singing simple carols. </p> <p>Can you tell I love Christmas?? Those are the ones I can think of that are good for that age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902578 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:59:10 +0000 Becky 2902578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We make chocolate spoons and chocolate marshmallows every year and my girls love it (they’ve been doing it since they were each about 2). It can get a little messy, but it’s super easy and you can stop and start. Its nice to have them around for when people stop over, to use in their coffee (or tea or hot chocolate!). Here’s an example of how to do spoons (same concept for marshmallows but just use a lollipop stick as a handle). <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/peppermint-chocolate-spoons-520678" rel="nofollow">https://www.thespruceeats.com/peppermint-chocolate-spoons-520678</a></p> <p>We’ve done an advent book calendar the past few years. It’s just a different holiday book each day of the month. Super easy too! I get books at the library and used book store and we have so many now. </p> <p>For New Years you could do an early ball drop with her (they have them on YouTube, Netflix, etc), give her white grape juice in a wine glass, maybe dress up.</p> <p>We’re also making salt dough ornaments this year (we’ve done it a few times in the past). Something she and your DH could do. Painting them is hours of entertainment! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-most-low-key-holiday-traditions#post-2902577 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:50:09 +0000 periwinklebee 2902577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really like the idea of Christmas/holiday traditions (they were important to our family growing up), and I think my LO, who will be almost two, is getting old enough to enjoy them.</p> <p>However, this year I'm due with LO2 on December 27, so I am looking for festive ideas that a toddler would enjoy during holiday break but that are super, super easy for DH and me 😂 (whether I have a newborn or am super pregnant). </p> <p>Ideas? What are your most low key holiday traditions? </p>