Holiday Traditions

My family looks forward to our traditions at this time of year. Especially since my eldest daughter is away at university (away away: a 19-hour drive!), we hold fast to the time-tested and true traditions we’ve come to love. They prove so worthy of our anticipation, and make for some pretty memorable time spent together.

My kids always get advent calendars to help with the countdown, no matter their age.

We choose a Christmas tree together, and decorate it while cheesy holiday carols play in the background, and we step over tissue paper, untangle strings of lights, and get glitter everywhere. Opening the boxes of ornaments, both store-bought and handmade, always brings back fond memories.

We have a second-generation “cousins” gift exchange, we call “Fam Jam” – all us cousins with our kids clad in pyjamas converge in someone’s home for a festive pot-luck, while our children each open one gift. We love getting together this way, and it’s already proven to be a cherished tradition for the littles.

On Christmas Eve, our tradition is a cocktail party at either my brother’s, my sister’s, or my house, that both starts and ends late and includes friends and family from near and far (everyone’s invited!), with kids taking advantage of parents’ and grandparents’ goodwill and distraction. These wild children stay up late, sing karaoke, make messes, aren’t told what to eat/not to eat, and run around fuelled by sugary treats and the excitement that Santa comes soon.

On Christmas morning, Eggs Benedict is always served, as is ample amounts of coffee. The mess grows as presents are unwrapped, but no one bats an eyelash. Instead we relish in the disarray, the chaos, the fun, the love.

What are your holiday traditions?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Natalie Rea

Mom to two amazing daughters - a feisty teen in middle school, and an ambitious young adult in university. Originally from Montréal's West Island, I now explore the beautiful trails of Hamilton, Ontario. Proud Canadian, vegetarian, dog-adopter, & bleeding-heart liberal. I smile a lot because I have Resting Bitch Face.