We got our Christmas tree yesterday! We trekked up to a sweet little tree farm in Hatfield, MA, to choose and cut the perfect pine. We found it, sawed it...sawed it some more...then said yes when a man with a chainsaw and a tractor stopped over and offered to chop it down for us. It's now making our house smell great and awaiting lights and ornaments.
This year we decided to give our fake plastic tree a rest and go for the real thing. On the way in the house it shed a few branches, which I turned into bouquets for the kitchen. The tree and bouquets are the first step of my Holiday Resolution. I have resolved this year to be less of a Tradition Scrooge. It's not that I'm against making an extra effort for the holidays...it just always seems to escape me. Mid-January arrives and I start get the urge to learn how to bake cookies, play with glitter, and hang wreaths. Not this year! This year is going to be my Best Yet.
A large part of my inspiration comes from having kids, I think--especially having a super little one in the house, too. It's occurred to me recently that I am one of their main Memory Makers. I'm making those little moments that will be retained consciously or unconsciously--and I want them to be magical. And I want to still be me.
So...I have a desire to create new traditions for myself and my sweet little family. Look out, oven. You might have some vegan cookies baking in there. Look out walls, the glitter is coming for you.
What are some of your most treasure traditions from your childhood? What are your favorites that you've created in adulthood?
Also, do you know how to bake cookies? :)
Have a great night! We'll be watching Elf and trimming the tree!
xoxo Maeg
This idea really interests me! I think the way you described it is perfect. I don't have children, but this is only my second holiday season to live really far away from home (750 miles as opposed to 30 miles before!). Although I will spend Christmas day with my family, I have realized how important the time leading up to that is to me. Usually my mom and dad would carry out all the usual traditions that put me in the spirit of things, and I guess it seemed like such a natural occurrence that it wasn't until I moved away that I realized those things take conscious effort! Silly me. This year I decorated a little. I love baking and am waiting until the end of this week (finals week) to get in some serious holiday baking. I *do* know how to bake cookies, thanks to my mom!
Posted by: Kristen | 12/05/2011 at 05:46 AM
The same thing happened to me last year! I became more spirited than I'd ever been in my life! Even though Scarlet had no clue what was going on and this year, she's become afraid of Santa. Like having nightmares afraid. Just like a good Jewish girl.
Posted by: Tamara Like Camera | 12/05/2011 at 07:24 AM
It is true that taking the time to consciously create memories is worth it. Alex and I made stockings for each other durning our first Christmas together and although they're getting a little raggedy, I don't think I'll ever be able to throw them out for "nicer" looking stockings, or not hang them up.
We also made stockings for our kitties of course. This is our first Christmas with Murdock!
Posted by: Sarah | 12/05/2011 at 12:50 PM