Happy Thursday.
Tags:Thank you so much for sharing your traditions - there are so many great, meaningful ones listed. I have read through the comments a couple of times now and am planning to add some to our own traditions.
A couple simple ideas I loved was eating Christmas Eve dinner by candlelight with lots of candles (even if it is something perfectly simple such as pizza - we usually do a bigger early dinner on Christmas day - not sure what will happen yet this year with all our guests), spending the night in the living room all together near the tree + watching movies (just picked up Elf at Target this morning) + eating pizza (anything having to do with pizza is good in my book), and getting an ornament box set up just for Simon.
I have an ornament box that my Grandma Cathy made for me and my siblings (and cousins) when I was a kid that holds all the ones I have received over the years. My Mom even kept track of where they came from (who + when). She is so good at writing things down. It is a super special treasure and I want Simon to have the same sort of experience as well.
Here's a peek inside:
Today I am working on work stuff and getting ready for my holiday gathering tomorrow night. I am hosting my first every get-together (another benefit of not traveling so much) and I am really excited. Ever notice how inviting people to come over spurs you into action on projects that have been waiting forever to be completed? That is totally happening around here and Chris has been a major help in this department.
We got our tree last night at a local lot and it was the easiest and simplest set up we have experienced in our 9 years of marriage. Ever since I can remember we have been using my Grandparents old metal Christmas Tree stand. Last year it finally rusted (worse than it was already rusted) and ended up staining the carpet so I was finally justified in disposing of it. We should have gotten rid of it a long time ago.
Yesterday morning Chris picked up one of those Krinner Click Fix Christmas Tree Genies. Seriously, it is the best thing ever. You just set your tree in it, click a lever a couple times with your foot and it's done. We laughed quite awhile about how much BETTER it was than the old one which took forever to get set up. It's one of those great little things that made the whole experience a million times better.
Starting Saturday I will be posting my holiday December Daily journal pages each day over on CK's website (not sure on the exact link yet) - check back for more information on that one. Jessica posted an awesome digital template for her December Daily album here (instructions are located within the post). Love the idea of using one template foundation for each day and simply varying the content, papers, etc.
Happy Thursday!
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
43 comments
Thank you, Ali. Thank you for sharing so much. You really do embrace what the season is all about - and it is highly contagious! :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I love that your Mom kept notes on origins of deco's. No wonder you are a list keeper! Great idea - thanks
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I love the idea of an ornament box. I need to do something like that for my girls. Happy Thursday!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
the ornament box is sweet, and personal and such a great thing! We bought a pre-lit tree last year and it made life so much easier. Amazing how that works :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Loved the blog today, thanks!
My mom too wrote on the bottom of our ornaments what year and who from, I love that, it's so great.
Hey if you love the movie "Elf" then you should pick up the soundtrack, *so* good!! I bought the Starbucks Chrismtas CD (the one you mentioned the other day) and it even has a few that are on the Elf soundtrack. The Elf one is probably our favorite holiday CD so far!
Happy Thursday to you, looking forward to tomorrow night!
~C.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Pizza is great any day in my book, too! I am REALLY excited to see your December album pages. Will you be posting them on your blog as well? Or just on the CK site? Thanks for always sharing your personal creations--love them! Erin :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is eating pizza and homemade egg nog on Christmas Eve.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali
We have done this for all of our kids, we also make or buy a new special Christmas ornament every year for them to add to their box.
It is fun every year to open the box and enjoy all the special ornaments!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
love the ornament box!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Such a sweet box for the ornaments. My daughter has her own little tree in her room and every night goes to bed looking at the lights and then we click them off when we go to bed. I would love to do that in my own room. I must start her a box for her ornaments. I know she will treasure it. Thanks for passing on the idea. Also I agree the Elf soundtrack is great.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I loved the tree trimming day at my grandma's when I was a kid. I have such amazing memories from those days. How cool that you do too.
Your ornament box is beautiful.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Just so you know.....i just got your book today...already HALF WAY through...i love it!!!! and i am now calling myself a "life artist"..instead of your traditioanl scrapbooker..thanks for the inspiration:)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Re: the ease of setting up your tree this year, we drive over an hour to get our tree because of the tree stand we bought from them 5 years ago. It has a spike coming out of the center of the stand, and they drill a hole in the bottom of the tree trunk. You get the tree home, place the tree on the spike, and you're ready to decorate. No fuss, and better yet, no arguments!!
MichelleB
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
awww... the ornament box. wow, those are amazing family specimens. you should show some pictures of your ornaments inside -- particularly the chandelier crystal ornaments and the fishing lures!
love you!
jessica
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hmm, an ornament box. I may have to make one to go along with my daughter's Ornament Scrapbook. The scrapbook is VERY simple. Each ornament has it's own page. It includes a picture of the ornament on the tree and the details of the ornament...what year she got it, where it came from, why is was given, etc. She's only six now but I plan on giving it to her along with the ornaments when she is grown and enjoying Christmas in her own place for the first time.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Christmas Eve - new jammies, pizza and Elf movie - simply wonderful !!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali...your blog today reminded me of another Christmas Tradition that we have. Each year I buy a special ornament for each of my 2 children....if I can I write the year & their initials on it somewhere inconspicous with a fine permanent marker. This way when they each grow up and are off on their own they will have their own starter set of ornaments for their first tree that will hopefully bring them happy memories of holidays gone by. Happy holidays to you & yours.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I was going to talk about making an ornament scrapbook - like Cindy! I started mine last year and am not caught up yet but I took pictures of ALL our ornaments - and I think there are at least 500 none of which are the same and all of which have a special story. I grouped them however I could - the Nisses (Norwegian gnomes), the pewter/silver ones, the "back of the tree" gang, the ones the kids made, the ones my husband gives me every year, the ones I give him, etc. And from now on out, I'll just add a page (or two) "The Class of 2007", etc.
It's a 8x8 album and it looks great on the coffe table!
Valerie, thinking personalized ornament boxes are a Good Thing
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali- thanks for your great blog. Your Christmas spirit is a welcome relief in all of the crazy chaos of life. Both of my kids have ornament boxes that contain ornaments that my Mom has made them, as well as ornaments that they have made each year. My twins are six. They also have boxes that container my sons nutcrackers collection, one for each year and my daughters snowglobe collection. It is so fun for them to pull them out and help decorate the house! Thanks for all of the insipiration. I think I will have to make a ornament scrapbook- what a great idea!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
have a wonderful time at your party ali ;) enjoy all the moments!!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.