We have several family traditions that we like to keep during the Christmas season. One of those traditions that we love to do, is going to pick out our Christmas tree. Every year, usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we head out to choose a tree. The past couple of years, our oldest son hasn’t been able to join us, but this year, he made sure that he was off work. We enjoy this time with one another, to bond together as a family and to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus.
Samuel and Claire
I love watching the kids run from tree to tree, checking out the size, if there are any holes in the tree, is the trunk straight. They look at everything! Even the older two kids get into making sure the tree is just the right one.
Michael and Claire
This day was no exception. It had to be just the right one. They looked at almost every single tree in the lot. It was so much fun and a lot of joy, watching the kids. All the laughing, smiling and joking with one another, brings so much happiness to this momma’s heart.
Sarah and Samuel
They did finally all agree on one tree and then we were on our way home with it, tied to the top of the van and joking all the way home, wondering if we would have a tree still attached to the van.
Once we got home, dad put the tree in the stand and then we got the tree set up in the corner of the room. Dad then gets the lights and puts them on the tree. We usually let the tree settle with the lights and then the next day, the kids put the ornaments on the tree.
Kids decorating tree.
I love watching the kids decorate the tree. They look at each ornament and always ask, “who made this ornament?” Or “who gave us this ornament?” I love reminiscing with the kids about Christmas’ of the past.
Some of the ornaments that are our favorites, I am sharing below. The angel topper is 20 years old. We got that angel when our oldest son was 11 months old. It has been with us through our moves to NC and CO. I look forward to seeing my husband put it on the tree, every year.
Angel Topper
Being from Florida, we are huge Florida Gator fans. When we moved to NC, we had a friend who didn’t want us to forget about Florida and he sent us these ornaments. The kids are so careful when they put these on the tree. They make sure they are up at the top, so they don’t get knocked off.
Gator Ornaments
Other than our angel topper, I think my favorite ornament is one that I painted with the kids. It truly summarizes what the who Christmas season is all about. Jesus. All because God sent His precious Son to us, in a Holy Night.
O Holy Night.
My husband and I do our best to teach our children about Jesus and why we celebrate his birth. While we have some amazing traditions, teaching them about Jesus is our most important one.
What Christmas traditions do you have with your family? I would love to hear about them!
We decided years ago that John and I would never argue about the tree or the putting the lights on the tree. (Like our house when we were growing up.) When the girls were really little, John and I would put them to bed and then put the lights on the tree. We then would turn out all the lights and wake them up to see the tree in the dark. 🙂 I think that tradition ended when Carrie, a heavy sleeper, decided that it was NOT FUN to get up and see the lights. Lol! So now, it’s still just John and I who put lights on and then the kids put ornaments on. Also every year we let them sleep ‘under’ or near the tree with the lights on. (John or I always sneak back in and turn off the lights after they have slept though.) There is something magical to look up thru the branches and the twinkling lights. 🙂
There is something magical about the tree with lights on. We always love to sit at night, with all lights off and just sit in the quiet and look at the lights. Thank you for sharing your memories and traditions with me. I love hearing what other families do. 🙂