Christmas Tradition

The Sunday following Thanksgiving, our Bishop presented a lesson that, as newly married couples, we should start beginning our own family traditions. He opened it up for discussion, and here's the traditions that were shared:

A dinner of Shepherd's pie, lettuce (adore him), bread (of life), (living) water, and peas on earth

Simple dinner on Christmas Eve, similar to one Christ would have had, of fish, grape juice, and bread

Twelve days of Christmas for someone less fortunate, leaving a piece of the nativity each day with a gift and saving the infant Jesus to be given on the last day. (It was an adventure just to not get caught!)

Having to finish a bowl of Cream of Wheat with pigs in a blanket before opening presents

Jimmying all the doors for the kids Christmas Eve

Presents (someone will have to explain this tradition to me)

Dad does the job of handing presents to each child Christmas morning

Use a different wrapping paper for each child, specially for them, so gifts are easy to find

Grandma Johnson? Mickelsen?'s sausage souffle (it just ain't Christmas without it!)

Caroling to widows (touching)

getting a new ornament each year

crazy cousin parties w/ craziness games and laughter, and everyone brings their same dish (7-layer dip from an aunt, frog eye salad from mom, etc.) each year

get out all the decorations right after Thanksgiving

Have shopping done before Thanksgiving

Open pajamas Christmas Eve, or one present Christmas Eve

read Luke 2


It made me realize there is so much to Christmas! Songs, decor, cookies, candies, special foods, legends of Santa and Frosty, lights, ornaments, snowmen, winter, greeting cards, mistletoe,... oh, Christ; crazy!

I loved the Christmas Devotional talks, and was praying they wouldn't speak so much about gifts, but for those that are poor, too. They did great. President Eyering spoke of their tradition of acting out the nativity.

Other traditions beside Christmas:
New Zealand chanting from Grandpa's mission
leaving Valentine's cookies on people's car during church

The Bishop added remarks, that "traditions can seem like a pain at the get go, but make great memories," "If you don't think your family had traditions growing up, just ask your spouse. They tell you what quirky things your family does," and, "Start early."

Things we like:
Kiss fairy (if you're good!)
Crush candy canes in hot chocolate
children's Christmas books
hearty and hot breakfast
Give a gift to Christ (write it down and put it in the Christmas box)
The Christmas book (countdown w/scripture, poem, and a carol for each of 25 days)
taking out the "stuff" that reminds us of stuff- flowers recieved, bows handcrafted

sitting by the fire
sledding and snow
baby ornaments

driving to see houses lit up with Christmas lights

We cut down our first tree this year