Last year I joined in on the Christmas tag and shared some of my favourite Christmas memories and traditions. This year I’ve been thinking about the traditions that I want to continue and start with Jenson. Here are the biggies…
Mousehole lights – I do my best to go every year, even though the lights are pretty much identical each year. Come to think of it, that’s a tradition in itself and I kinda like it. I hope Jenson enjoys going as much as I do as he gets older. We’re going to start this one this year as he loves colourful lights, so we’ll wrap up warm and head over on one of Luke’s days off so we’re not out past his bedtime.
Truro City of Lights – taking him this year would have been cruel. There’s loads of waiting around, it’s freezing and we would have gotten home late. We’ll start this one in a few years.
Decorating – I used to love helping my mum decorate the tree and playing Christmas music – especially being able to put the angel on top of the tree every other year (always had to take it in turns!). Jenson was bouncing around in his Jumperoo while I decorated our tree this year and he seemed to enjoy me singing along with The Boob (Michael Buble, duh!). He loves people singing to him in general but I like to think he loved the festivities. He’ll be able to put the angel on top next year, if not help with the rest of the decs, and we’ll be looking for a bigger tree, so Luke will have to hold him up to reach. I can just picture the cuteness already!
Films – Luke came home from work the other day and said one of the girls he works with wanted to watch Elf but her husband said it was too early for a film that big. I totally get that! You have to ease yourself into Christmas and save the biggies for later. It’s A Wonderful Life and Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas are proper Christmas Eve films. See my top ten Christmas films post for more festive favourites.
Christmas jumpers – my mum bought Jenson his first Christmas jumper which he wore yesterday but I forgot to take a picture before he threw up on it. Must mean he likes it! Because he’s only wee, he’s gonna need a new one every year for a while – fine by me! I’ve finally bitten the bullet and ordered the friggin’ awesome Adventure Time one for myself, as I need one that fits my current post-baby body. Perfect excuse!
Christmas Eve box – this is a new one starting this year. I’ve bought Jenson a plain red box to use each year and fill with Christmas PJs, a book, a DVD, a toy, etc. Christmas Eve is so magical and I love the idea of us getting dressed in our PJs and settling down for a film and book before bed. He’ll have something new each year which is also the perfect opportunity to build his book and DVD collections. Plus when he’s a bit older it’ll be nice to have a little something to open before going to bed. I’ll be sharing the contents of his first Christmas box soon.
Crafts and baking – I’m so excited for messy play next year. We’ll be finger painting, potato stamping, making cards with hand and foot prints and I’m gonna turn into a domestic goddess so we can make homemade mince pies together. Or at least little cookies with Christmas cutters!
Christmas dinner – Jenson won’t be having exactly the same dinner as us this year but we have got him an Ella’s Kitchen Christmas dinner, which is the next best thing. I’m actually ridiculously excited about it.
What Christmas traditions did you have as a child and what do you hope to continue with your own children?