[Quick note: my apologies for the late posting of this post. Time got away from me as it always happens to during the holidays with too many things to do and not nearly enough time to do what is necessary.}
The holidays have arrived, and with them are some of my favorite family traditions.
For 2022, my Mom and I decided that we were going to try to do several of our holiday traditions that have been on the backburner for several years now, either because of the move or time or money. It’s all possible this year, so here we are.
Tradition One – Decorating Inside and Out
Given that we now live in an apartment, we have had to get a little creative with this one. Our goal is to have all of our decorations up by the 10th, barring the tree if we’re getting a live one. Our decorating is mostly aimed at the main living areas: the living room, dining room, and kitchen, though I do also usually put up a small fake tree in my room as well.
This year, we went all out. To satisfy the “outside” component, we decorated the windows with gel clings in different holiday shapes and added lights. Over our sliding door to the patio, we also added lights and I put snowflakes up on the glass. (We’re one of the only apartments that doesn’t have a plug outside due to an electrical issue, so we have to make due with putting things inside.) I also lined the window sills with little toys and knick knacks that are all holiday themed to add to the fun.
As for inside, we have garland and silver bells hanging, as well as snow globes from Target and a massive assortment of Santas. Our fake tree is up and decorated, ready and waiting to be surrounded by presents in the coming days. One bookshelf was sacrificed to become a vertical “holiday village” with light-up buildings and figurines and snow.
The holidays have arrived.
Tradition Two – Christmas Lights Viewing
I’ve already confirmed with Mom that we will be continuing our favorite Christmas Eve tradition.
Something that we’ve done since I was a small child is that we drive around on Christmas Eve and listen to Christmas music and look at all the Christmas lights and decorations. When I was growing up, it was a way to get me to fall asleep easier (so that Santa could visit, of course). Now, it’s a great way for Mom and I to spend some time together uninterrupted and explore our town and see just how creative people get.
We also do a smaller version of this before Christmas Eve, where we walk around our apartment complex in the evenings, but that can only be done sparingly due to some health issues.
Tradition Three – Christmas Cookies?
Okay, this is the tradition that is most possibly going to be skipped.
Every year we make grand plans to make sugar cookies and decorate them, and every year we completely forget to do so until the last second. Growing up we loved making them, but in the past few years we’ve just run out of time to get them done in a timely manner.
We’re hopeful this year because we’re actually ahead of schedule, as we’ve already finished all of our decorating and shopping and all we have left is wrapping and any last minute gifts.
Wrap Up
There’s of course other traditions that my family takes part in, certain shows and films we watch, and certain things we do. But these are the things we really like to try to do during December.
Until next time!