Our Christmas Traditions

I think one of the most ‘interesting’ about having a family of your own is that you have two lots of experiences to collate and decide what you do and don’t want to carry on doing. It seems like my family had quite a few more traditions at Christmas than the hubby’s so a lot are my suggestions (plus, I’m usually the one taking in charge to do them – I love traditions and I love Christmas!

• One thing we do each year is to do some Christmas baking for others. This is something I did growing up and then we’d deliver them to others and it was always more fun when you just drop it at the door, knock and then runaway. Generally it is trickier to do the whole running away thing with the little ones but we get our bake on, traditionally mince pies, wrap them up and deliver them. I hope the kids grow up loving to do this, as I did.

• Another thing that we started to do when I was a teenager was unwrapping a present on Christmas Eve. When Mr U and I started dating I introduced that tradition to his family too – what’s not to love? So we have carried this on in our own family too. Generally it is pyjamas but we don’t always stick to that.

• When we decorate the tree and around the house, we have to have certain Christmas songs on. Il Divo’s version of O Holy Night has to play, along with Mariah Carey’s All I want For Christmas and Mr Buble’s Christmas album. Who knows what albums will be out in a few years down the line but Mariah’s absolute tune will never be out of fashion in my eyes! We always watch Home Alone as well. I’m not sure if that is traditionally Christmassy or not, but we love it.

• This was something that hubby and I didn’t agree on at first as we grew up with different things. He grew up with having a small stocking in his room from Father Christmas and he would open that without his parents. I grew up with all of our presents in the living room, all from Father Christmas and we all opened together. We have kind of merged the two and decided that there will be a small stocking from Father Christmas but we want to see them open everything so that will be downstairs with their other gifts from us, under the tree. I can’t imagine opening my Santa presents sat in my room by myself. Apparently is was to let their parents have a slight lie in ha.

• The Queen’s Speech – now I can’t say I’ve always paid attention but we always have it on. I’m a bit of a Royalist (I love you Kate) and I think it is just quintessentially British, so why not?

• Christmas morning will usually start reading the Christmas story from the bible so we can start the day off the right way. I want my kids to grow up knowing the real reason for the season and not just expecting presents. The giving of gifts is definitely more important than the receiving. We love to get a real Christmas tree too 🙂

• Boxing Day is another family oriented day. We never go to the Boxing Day sales, I couldn’t think of anything worse. More time with family and a classic buffet. I love just prolonging the festivities. Family time is the best.

What are some of your Christmas traditions? I think quite a lot of people have similar ones so would be fun to hear something quirky!

Rebecca x

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