Christmas: traditions, decorations, and presents

Holy cow, Christmas is already over!

Christmas always passes too soon, and I find myself feeling a little melancholy in the few days following December 25th. I know I'll be one who procrastinates taking down the decorations.

This year, Dal and I spent Christmas with my family in Fontana, and it was wonderful. It was so nice to be at my home away from home, with my parents and two of my siblings. It made me so appreciate the traditions we have cultivated over the years, and it led Dal and I to discussing what our own family traditions will be in the years to come.

Some of my favorite Christmas-time traditions are:

• my daddy reading "Teach the Children" to us on Christmas Eve
• my mama reading "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree"
• writing goals for the new year and putting them in a white christmas stocking as gifts for Christ
• new pajama pants on Christmas Eve
• my favorite cereal on Christmas morning
• Australian bonbons at Christmas dinner
• the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls
• going Christmas caroling
• having an excuse for wearing hideous Christmas sweaters 
• watching "Houseguest" (our not-so-Christmasy, Christmas movie) 
• spending time wit family!!

This year all of the traditions of Christmas time were extra special, as Dal got to be a part of them with me.

I loved standing next to him and enjoying the harmony he added to our family's caroling. I loved sitting back to back with him while we wrapped eachother's Christmas presents. I loved making goals together for the new year. I loved our first Christmas together.

Before we headed to California for Christmas, I decided to Christmas-ify our apartment with decorations. And since we are poor college students, it was done in DIY-dollar store fashion. It's what I do best.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and loved ones! I am so grateful for the birth of our Savior and for being able to celebrate it with fun, sweet, memorable family traditions.

Three little DIY Christmas Trees

Glass pedestals: Dollar Tree

All three trees made with poster board.

Left Tree: ribbon and tool from Dollar Tree

Center Tree: bead garland (cut up) and tool from Dollar Tree

Right tree: fake rose petals and glitter from Dollar Tree

Ornament Wreath: 

Ornaments: Dollar Tree

Styrofoam Wreath: Hobby Lobby Clearance

Tool for bow: Dollar Tree

I wanted to make note of a couple special Christmas presents that were exchanged this year. I know it is so easy to get caught up in who bought which present and who got which present and how much the present cost, etc, etc, etc. But I have always enjoyed gift-giving because it gives me time to reflect on individuals-- on their strengths, their interests, their talents, their innate gifts. It allows me to appreciate the people around me and show them that I notice them, I am learning about them, I want to know them, and I do those things because I love them.

A Kitchenaid for my mom, because she deserves nice things, and I hope she knows that. As we thought about what to give my mom, this seemed like the perfect gift. My mom is such a loving, generous person and one of the ways she shares that love is through her food. She pours her love into the kitchen and makes delicious soups, goodies, breads, and meals for countless people over the year.

A Sewing Machine for me, because I am ready and excited to cultivate my talents and interests. I am grateful to my parents and my sweet hubby for taking note of my interests and buying me such a thoughtful gift… I am excited to learn and play around with this awesome new tool. I hope to be able to use it to bless the lives of others, like I have watched my mom do with hers.

A Wire Stripper, some ammo, and a survival book for my husband, because he is curious and excited to learn and not afraid to try new things. I admire his intrigue in learning how to be self-reliant and self-sufficient. It's a curiosity I am still trying to develop. But I enjoy watching my husband learn new skills each day. I am grateful he has the desire and motivation to work hard, to develop new talents, and to provide stability for his family.

There were many other beautiful, sweet, fun, clever gifts exchanged at our family Christmas, and I am grateful for being able to show love in a special way each year.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and loved ones! I am so grateful for the birth of our Savior and for being able to celebrate it with fun, sweet, memorable family traditions.