Saturday, December 06, 2008

Traditions...

As we have started our own family and tried to make lasting memories for and with out kids we have tried to incorporate some of the old and start some new.
Jake and i both grew up with tradtions of Christmas tree ornaments, that we were able to take with us as we left the house. Every year still my parents purchase one ornament for each of us. I grew up with Christmas PJ's every year. Jake grew up with Chinese food on Christmas eve. My grandfather (Papa) always had a poinsettia for the holiday season. Jakes family always got their favorite cereal with their stocking so breakfast was taken care of. My family always make cookies for a few days adding different varieties cluttering up the counter with all kinds of sweets, then we would separate them onto plates and deliver them with some caroling, often friends would join us as teenagers, returning to eat some of the leftover sweets, drink hot chocolate and play card/board games. My Papa was big on making sure we each got an apple and an orange in our socking (not sure why but think it has something to do with war times).
Living in Europe for 7-8yrs we had the chance to learn of German traditions. One of those was St Nikolaus. On the night of the 5th you put out your shoes and St Nik fills them with candy and a small treat if you were good.
This year St Nik wrapped some of those all into one. St Nik now delivers an ornament, and PJ's to enjoy the whole holiday season in anticipation for Christmas. This year St Nik delivered the perfect gifts for each of us and jump started teh holiday spirit in each of us. Hopefully the kids can prod dad enough to bring the tree down this afternoon while I am at work!
Happy St Nikolaus day! Will post pics later!

4 comments:

Krista said...

If Jake reads your blog - you just dropped a really nice hint ;)

I like the shoe idea. I wonder how I could implement that into our traditions ...

B said...

Wow, you've got tons of great traditions. I'm always looking for more to bring into our family, so I have some to think about now.

Tyler Fam said...

LOVE the idea of St Nik bringing the pj's so that the kids can wear them all during the holidays...awesome! I think Ashley, Sarah & Christian would like it, but I don't think Austin would go for candy cane pajamas!!

Unknown said...

Since leaving Germany, We decided as well to start the Saint Nick tradition.. instead of shoes we fill up our stocking with goodies.. It is so wonderful to have a seperation of when Santa Comes and Celebrating Christ's Birth!!! And it really gets the Christmas going season going!!