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For thanksgiving we're doing a "thankfulness tree", which is some branches in a vase on the table and cut out paper "leaves" where we can write what we're thankful for that year and hang them on the tree.

She's too young to participate but eventually she'll join in.

This year we're starting a book advent calendar....we got 25 Christmas/winter-themed books and we'll unwrap and read one every night.

When I was little we watched "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" (the animated one), every year, so I'd like to do that as well.

I also want to let him pick out an ornament for the tree every year, but I think I probably won't start that one until next year, unless I just want to let him run around the ornament section of Target and buy whichever one he picks out first, but I feel like that could be a disaster

Past those I'm not sure. When I was little we used to have hot chocolate at my uncle's house and then drive to this fancy neighborhood in San Antonio that put on these awesome lights displays. I might see if there's something similar here.

@lovehoneybee: Love the idea of a book advent calendar!

Our LO isn't due til February, so we have til next Christmas to start thinking about traditions. We love Christmas, so I definitely want to have some. For sure get her a new ornament each year, wrap it for her, and have her unwrap it when we put up the tree (even if she doesn't understand it at first!!). We'll go to the Columbus Zoo to see the lights near each Christmas--we get annual memberships. Definitely we'll watch Christmas movies, especially The Polar Express and A Charlie Brown Christmas, and take her to Christmas Eve Service at church with her grandparents.

@lawbee11: where did you get a ceramic ornament made? I was thinking of doing the salt dough DIY one that is floating around Pinterest but worried about it lasting for years.

@sarah.clarisse: I had it done in person, but the place I went to has gift boxes you can order then you can make the mold at home (it's easy--you just do it in play-doh and send it back to them). I'll post the website on your wall. It's kind of expensive, but I think it's worth it because it's for a special occasion and the quality is amazing!

@ILoveLettie: thanks. That's good to know!

@lawbee11: thanks!

Our little one won't be here until January, but we plan to do a couple of traditions.

We want to have an advent calendar, with little ornaments representing the Christmas Story to put on a mini tree. We also plan to do monkey bread every Christmas morning (which is a tradition from when I was young). That's all we've got so far!