Christmas Traditions

Christmas is my favorite holiday with Halloween and Easter tied for 2nd place. Every year it seems to get bigger and better as the other little ones get clued in to our family traditions. Like Damien this year making his "Santa Plate." He was so excited and even though he can't talk he knows what that plate is for. Dominic understands completely this year that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus and has made it known to every person he talks to what Christmas is all about! It's rather cute. It's not just the opening of gifts that makes up all the fun at Christmas, it's the things we do to prepare for the celebration. The kids love helping with all the other things we do to make Christmas special. Here's a few of the special things we usually do.

The ornament we made for everyone this year were these little smores snowmen. Alexzandra has been bugging me for ages about making smores ornaments so we did it.

I decided to try my hand at making gift jars this year. I've always wanted to try making them and I'm glad I did. Alex really didn't get to help much as I was afraid of her breaking a Mason Jar. She loves them though and I think I'll let her try helping more next time. I made Pumpkin Spice Muffins and Spicy Chili Mac with beans.

Every year we always make Baker's Chocolate dipped molds, pretzels, marshmallows, brownies, etc for everyone plus a plate of sugar cookies. Instead of cookies this year the kids wanted to put chocolates on their Santa plates. Damien's plate is on the left, Alexzandra's right.
Since she's learned to write she always leaves a note of some sort for Santa.

And right before bed I let them run outside and throw out some reindeer food (Oats and Glitter) for all of Santa's special reindeer.
I am so happy that Alexzandra is still a firm believer in Santa. I think it will devestate me when she starts asking questions about if he's real. lol I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!