What are your Christmas traditions? Some of our traditions are from Austin's family, some from mine, and some are our own.
1. We put up our cowboy Christmas tree and decorations as a family after U.S. Thanksgiving. Austin is helpful and fun as we decorate. The kids are always excited.
2. We go to the church to watch the First Presidency Christmas devotional.
3. We go to concerts and programs. This year Lucy had an elementary choir concert and her senior choir sang at the Rotary Christmas sing-a-long concert.
4. We go to ward Christmas parties and work Christmas parties. This year our ward party was a Christmas program at Grandma's. There were a few songs, poems, stories and the nativity. The Bishopric did a skit to the 12 Days of Christmas and threw eggs into the crowd (luckily the yolks had been blown out). Then Santa came and we had doughnuts and hot chocolate.
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Carly talking to Santa at the Leavitt Ward Christmas party.
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5. We draw names on the Waite side of the family and exchange Christmas gifts (kids to kids; adults to adults). Thank goodness for Amazon wish lists. On the Nunn side, we take turns making a family calendar.
6. Our four daughters draw names for Christmas gifts, but the last two years they have all given a gift to all of the sisters. Maybe we don't really need to draw names.
7. We try to do a secret Christmas service each year. We can't tell what we do or it wouldn't be secret. This year we were getting a box ready to deliver to a family and Carly could not get why it had to be secret. She said she thought it was nice to give gifts but not really nice to keep it a secret. Carly and I were chosen to take the box, knock and run. As we were driving away, Carly said, "Can we do another secret Santa."
8. We love to give and receive neighbor gifts and treats. My theory is that you have to take treats early or else people will be sick of treats and may or may not eat your treats you take. This year we were late taking them, so they may or may not have gotten eaten. We also love Christmas cards and tape them all up on our wall.
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| Jeff Anderson, who works at Austin's school, brought this to Austin for a Christmas gift. This is the theme for Cardston Junior High this year - not impossible - but I'm Possible. |
9. All of the kids sleep next to the Christmas tree - usually on the eve of Christmas Eve.
10. On Christmas Eve we eat a fun dinner with Sarah's family and Grandpa & Grandma Nunn. We have cold cuts, cheeses, vegetable trays, crackers and dips, etc. Then we have a Christmas program.
9. The girls all get new pajamas on Christmas Eve.
10. On Christmas morning, we open gifts by passing a gift to each person. Then we open the gifts one person at a time starting with the youngest. Carly got a barbie from Santa, and she said that the Santa we talked to in the mall in Logan must be the real Santa because that is who she told she wanted a barbie.
10. We enjoy a nice Christmas dinner each year. This year we went to Taber to be with Sarah's family. I love Christmas dinner!!
11. Our third year of a new tradition is Tree Gifts. There is a wrapped gift in the tree for each person. We open it at the end of Christmas Day. This year we each got a book or DVD from the LDS bookstore.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.