Create New Family Traditions this Holiday

Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling. 

Big Sister Snowman Ornament

Christmas is a very special time for adults and children alike.  And tradition makes it a holiday to really cherish and remember.  Parents Magazine recently wrote an article showcasing some traditions you may want to start for your family.  We at AnnaBean really loved a few of the ideas and would like to share them with you!

Annual Family Ornament

Celebrate your child's Christmas with a keepsake ornament commemorating each year.  Little girl or boy will love putting up their own personalized ornament on the tree each year and you'll love having a tree that is unique to your family. 

Bake!

(My favorite activity!) Bring family members together or have your kids join in as taste testers and stirring assistants as you bake your holiday treats.  Decorating baked goods can be especially fun for kids as they get crafty and show off their imagination with frosting, sprinkles and more!  

Boy Oh Boy Memory Board

We have an upcoming post about the women of AnnaBean's favorite holiday recipes so hopefully you can add new recipes to your usual mix as well!

It's Picture Time

Make family gatherings really unforgettable by taking pictures of everything and everyone!  Kids in pj's...Snap! Uncle Frank falling asleep in front of the T.V. again...Snap!  Fido taking a bite out of the apple pie...Snap! 

Compile all of these pictures in an album or memory board, or maybe in a nice frame to present to a family member as a gift. 

Incorporate a Cultural Tradition

Introduce a holiday tradition unique to your family's culture this year.  Parents talks about doing something simple such as learning to say "happy holidays" in another language or singing carols in another language.  Personally, I think cooking or baking a cultural food is a delicious way to broaden your family's cultural knowledge. 

Old West Red TeePee

Start a Christmas Eve Tradition

Christmas Eve is one of the most exciting nights of a child's life.  Make it special by starting a new tradition such as reading before bedtime or leaving out cookies for Santa.  My family's Christmas Eve tradition is having each person open up one present before the morning.