https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:04:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1920298 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:27:03 +0000 travelgirl1 1920298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: That sounds awesome! I'd love to see a picture when it's finished!</p> <p>@lawbee11: What is the Teddy bear tea? A is obsessed with her bears, it sounds right up her alley! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1920288 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 22:18:47 +0000 fairy 1920288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow I have never heard of the book advent calendar, I always just had one of those cheap chocolate advent calendars from the dollar store and thought that was super special growing up ;) 25 holiday books sounds a bit overkill personally, but I will try getting some from the library and maybe doing 2-3 new holiday books a week in Dec. (though she has already picked out a couple Christmas books from the library in past weeks haha)</p> <p>Some traditions we have continued:<br /> -Making truffles and cookies for our neighbors<br /> -PJs gifted on Christmas Eve<br /> -Going to my mom's house on Christmas (my side of the family always meets there on holidays and we draw names for a gift exchange on Thanksgiving and exchange the gifts on Christmas and have our feast for lunch)<br /> -Chocolate advent calendar<br /> -Photos with Santa and family photos/sending Christmas cards<br /> -Putting up the tree and decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1920268 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 21:59:59 +0000 Skadi 1920268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we're going to end up celebrating on Winter Solstice instead of Christmas, at least for the early years. That way we have a day all to ourselves without any expectations by grandparents. :) We're atheists, so we'll be celebrating the seasons in a secular way.</p> <p>When they're older, we'll read one of my absolute favorite books, Charles Dickens' <i>A Christmas Carol</i> together. Until they're old enough to appreciate that, we'll unwrap a special book each night leading up to Solstice and read it together. Here's my list so far: <a href="http://amzn.com/w/LJIFJFZH4IP" rel="nofollow">http://amzn.com/w/LJIFJFZH4IP</a></p> <p>We don't do Santa or Elf on the Shelf. But we have lots of other traditions.</p> <p>Beginning at sundown on Solstice Eve, all electronic lights and devices will be turned off, with the exception of the tree and oven.</p> <p>Dinner Menu: Mulled Wine, Roast Leg of Lamb, Glazed Pearl Onions, Pan Seared Mushrooms, Mashed Potatoes, Yeast Rolls, Buche de Noel.</p> <p>After sundown on Winter Solstice, each family member will light a candle and talk about something they are thankful for and make a wish for the upcoming year.</p> <p>Small homemade gifts and cards are exchanged.</p> <p>Winter-themed poetry is read aloud and carols are sung.</p> <p>Hot chocolate and cookies before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919673 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:00:06 +0000 Bao 1919673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NCSUchick27: we are doing the book thing this year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919650 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:48:12 +0000 IRunForFun 1919650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had the best Advent calendar growing up! It was a tower that had 25 drawers, and we'd pull out the drawer to find candy. I want to do an Advent calendar that's slightly more creative than buying the cheap chocolate ones at the grocery store. </p> <p>Christmas movie marathons leading up to Christmas. </p> <p>Open one small present Christmas Eve. </p> <p>And I know a lot of people hate on Elf on the Shelf, but I feel like it's something we'll do because it is right up my DH's alley, he'd probably have more fun with it than the kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919582 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:08:35 +0000 Vegmama 1919582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We'll do new pj's on Xmas ever. Milk and cookies for Santa (he likes vegan/gf, right) ;). We aren't around our family, so we're currently trying to figure out our Christmas tradition. We usually do dinner with our friends, which is so great. </p> <p>I love the ideas for Xmas countdowns. </p> <p>Anyone do any charity around the holidays? That could be a good way to balance the idea that it's all about gifts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919579 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:06:36 +0000 Vegmama 1919579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: That's awesome!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919559 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:56:02 +0000 LuLu Mom 1919559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. new pjs on Christmas Eve. This was a tradition my mom started for us and she has carried it onto our children. </p> <p>2. December 1st our Elf on the Shelf will appear with a Christmas Movie, popcorn, candy, ect. as a way to "kick off' the Christmas season. (new one I'm starting) </p> <p>3. We will deliver a bag of old toys to be donated before Christmas, so that way kids in need have toys as well. </p> <p>4. We will buy a gift together for a child from the giving tree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919218 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:47:43 +0000 looch 1919218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my MIL knit 25 gloves/hats/socks for my son's advent calendar. They'll be filled with ornaments that he can use to hang on his very own fabric tree, that I am currently sewing for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919209 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:46:25 +0000 loki 1919209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always had "Christmas Elves" visit us when we were growing up. My parents moved into our house on Christmas Eve so they made up this elaborate story that the elves would visit on Christmas Eve to check for Santa that they were still in the house... or something. They would leave us new pajamas, a book, some chocolates, that kinda thing. we loooooved our elves (Binky &amp; Elmer!). We actually passed it on to the neighbour's kids and never told them it was us, which I thought was so fun. I'd love to pass that onto our kid's but probably a scaled back version. </p> <p>We'd like to do the "something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read". I saw it on here and pitched it to DH and he loves the idea. We were both SUPER spoiled with gifts growing up and I want to make sure our kids appreciate Christmas for more than the gifts. </p> <p>We go to DH's family party every year on Boxing Day and it's sooo fun and I'm so excited for our LOs to be a part of it so we will continue to do that for sure, even though it's a 4 hour drive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919203 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:44:41 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1919203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here are the things I want to do:</p> <p>-Christmas book advent calendar<br /> -driving and looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve with hot chocolate (DH and I do this now)<br /> -A big breakfast on Christmas morning. I think it will be homemade cinnamon rolls, bacon, and fruit. I want to do breakfast before presents, but DH thinks that's crazy.<br /> -A new ornament every year </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919181 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:37:18 +0000 LaughLines 1919181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One i want to start when my baby gets older is kind of specific to our house. Right now we have two fireplaces (both gas, but baby doesn't know that) right on top of each other on two different floors. The "main" one in the living room is where santa will bring his gifts and the stockings will be hung, but on the way down, Santa may accidentally drop some presents out the first fireplace that will "spill out" into that upstairs room. So they'll get some fun/random side gifts strewn about. </p> <p>also advent calendars - my mom made a felt tree when we were little that we would put a felt ornament on every day out of numbered felt envelopes... i'm going to ask her to make one for our LO, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919164 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:28:22 +0000 cmomma17 1919164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tanjowen: I :heart: White Christmas! hands down my favorite holiday movie. My DH is also not on board :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1919144 Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:20:48 +0000 Applesandbananas 1919144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: I think it was just a cheap, easy, low mess activity that my mom came up with and every day we tore off a loop, as a countdown to Christmas. So much fun though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916566 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 19:32:16 +0000 Tanjowen 1916566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started a tradition that a a stocking stuffer we get each other is an ornament. It's fun searching for one that captures the past year somehow and surprising the other person. I can't wait to get one for our LO!</p> <p>Stockings on Christmas Eve</p> <p>Every Christmas growing up, my family watched "White Christmas." I still do, even though I can't get my husband on board. Maybe my son will love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916537 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:53:29 +0000 lawbee11 1916537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>--Bake Christmas cookies<br /> --Teddy bear tea (my mom did this with me when I was little :happy: )<br /> --Pics with Santa at the mall<br /> --Special Christmas pjs to wear on Christmas Eve<br /> --We aren't religious but in a couple of years we're planning to tell her that Santa gives to those who give to encourage her to choose some of her toys/clothes to donate to children in need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916527 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:46:32 +0000 matador84 1916527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Matching Christmas Jammie's for the kids<br /> Read the polar express on Christmas Eve<br /> Open 1 present on Christmas Eve<br /> no presents under the tree until Christmas...I had no idea people put presents out until I older! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916526 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:45:12 +0000 Anya 1916526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd like to start the book countdown tradition for my family for each night of Hanukkah. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916524 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:36:20 +0000 Silva 1916524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a lot of traditions growing up that we will continue with our children. Some new ones include a special "fancy" holiday party with the pediatric department geared toward kids, hosting our own christmas party when we are in a bigger place, a Christmas Eve bonfire, and singing seasonal songs.<br /> although my family wasn't religious, we did attend Xmas eve services. We won't be doing that with our children, but are working hard to instill a reverence for the natural world. We will tell them the story of christmas just like any other story, and use the time of year to celebrate the solstice and winter- so many of our traditions are about connection with nature, and the quiet, peacefulness of winter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916521 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:31:26 +0000 mrs scrapbook 1916521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every year my aunt gives us all a chocolate Advent calendar on Thanksgiving. Her daughter, my cousin, has already said she plans to carry that on for the next generation (our future kids). I can't wait for that! It's one of my favorite holiday traditions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916512 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:10:37 +0000 Greentea 1916512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ra: I love CB trees as well! That is a lovely idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916511 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 18:08:02 +0000 Greentea 1916511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We can't have a "live" Christmas tree in our apartment (whomp whomp) so we are going to get a LIVE Christmas tree- an actual houseplant tree!</p> <p>I hope to bake cookies with DD, drive through the light display, drink cocoa, get Chinese food, and matching jammies for all!</p> <p>I also want to volunteer at a free-meal kitchen when DD is older!</p> <p>@coopsmama: I love the three gifts idea!!!!</p> <p>@Applesandbananas: are the paper chains done a certain way or with significance or are they just made for the tree or the house? That sounds fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916448 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 15:49:59 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1916448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- Decorate the tree together.<br /> - Open Christmas stockings and PJ's on Xmas Eve, and do presents first thing Xmas day, while drinking hot cocoa.<br /> - Go tour a neighborhood with amazing christmas lights.<br /> - Take pics with Santa at the mall.</p> <p>Things we haven't done before, but plan to implement this year:<br /> This year, DD and I are going to bake cookies and set out milk for Santa. She's also going to draw him a letter. I'm also going to have the kids partake in Operation Christmas Child. Also, I want to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas with them yearly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916447 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 15:45:31 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1916447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go over to my aunt's house on Christmas Eve morning and make the gumbo that we eat for Christmas dinner. If there are kids the right age, then we will decorate a gingerbread house while we are there.</p> <p>Something I want to start with my LO(s) is a sleepover under the Christmas tree when we put the tree up. I plan to give everyone their Christmas PJs and we will start wearing them that night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916426 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 15:01:55 +0000 blackbird 1916426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Christmas Eve Christmas cartoon and hot cocoa festival </p> <p>Yummy Christmas breakfast </p> <p>Cookie baking </p> <p>I haven't thought til much about it yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916416 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 14:47:29 +0000 coopsmama 1916416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Traditions we'd like to incorporate include: only<br /> 3 gifts per child (one gift something they need, one which has spiritual significance, and one that is something they want) + a stocking, cookie baking and decorating, caroling at nursing homes, Christmas pjs, advent calendar, and of course decorating our tree. </p> <p>I also want to make Christmas morning a special time with just our immediate family. My parents always spent it with extended family and that was disappointing because it didn't allow us to have any memories of our own traditions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916412 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 14:42:48 +0000 jhd 1916412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would like to do a book countdown &amp; advent calendar. And maybe pajamas too. We bought LO the little people nativity and I'm already excited about opening it &amp; setting up our tree. This will be his 1st Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916402 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 14:27:00 +0000 Ra 1916402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a love of Charlie Brown trees. Every year, my husband and I go to a Christmas tree farm, find the saddest, ugliest tree on the farm, and chop it down. I love bringing home something others would pass up and making it beautiful. We hope to instill our love of Charlie Brown trees in LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916401 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 14:25:46 +0000 cmomma17 1916401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From my childhood: reading 'Twas the night before Christmas on Christmas eve (I even have my childhood copy of the book), leaving cookies and milk out for Santa.</p> <p>We are going to go look at light displays every year I hope, bake cookies, add more holiday books to our collection, watch Christmas movies when the kids are older, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-new-holiday-traditions-have-you-started-or-plan-to-start-with-your-children#post-1916390 Sun, 26 Oct 2014 14:07:12 +0000 Mrs. D 1916390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: I LOVE the idea of getting the jammies from Mrs. Claus, so cute! </p>