our traditions: st. nicholas' day

Disclaimer:  Before you read this, you should know that I don't have any issues with Santa or the idea of people using Santa in their holiday traditions as a family.  This is just the way we do it at our house.  This is what works for us as a family, but whatever you do at your house and whatever works for you is FABULOUS!  

 

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Today is St. Nicholas' Day.  Don't know what St. Nicholas' Day is?  Go here.

We celebrate St. Nicholas' Day at our house for a variety of reasons:
1)  Our girls already know that Mommy and Daddy are the ones who give them their gifts at Christmas not Santa.  (Go ahead . . . you can call us party poopers if you want to.  ;)  I won't be offended.  I've heard it before.)

2)  We decided before we had children that we wanted to try to get away from the commercialism of Christmas as much as possible by giving only a few gifts and focusing more on traditions, family time and giving to others. 

3)  St. Nicholas is the real person who the fun of Santa Claus is based on, so we thought we would help them focus on what a real person did to help others.

4)  We aren't Roman Catholic, but the characteristics of St. Nicholas are ones we would love for our girls to embody.  And we try to incorporate a variety of traditions into our holiday celebration.

**I know lots of people who use the idea of Santa to do these same things . . . that's great too.  For example, my friend Jocelyn over at We Talk of Christ teaches her kids the importance of giving by enlisting her kids as Santa's secret helpers.  This is such a great idea!**

We celebrate St. Nicholas' Day at our house every year with a few simple traditions:
1) We put up our tree and other Christmas decorations.

2) The girls have St. Nick boxes that get filled with small and simple gifts as well as some chocolate gold-covered coins and a wooden shoe filled with carrots.  Read why here.

 

Remember these haircessory holders?

wooden shoe with carrots and coins

inside lid of St. Nick box

3) We think of one person or family we can give something special to this holiday season.  I love this idea that Leslie shared during twelve (plus) days of traditions.

I realize that most you don't celebrate St. Nicholas' Day, but the whole point of this traditions for us is getting our children to focus on giving not getting during this time of year . . . and that's something many of us do have in common.

What are some ways you try to teach your children the importance of giving to others?

Tradition on!

twelve (plus) days of traditions: the Christmas day treasure hunt

I've got a LOVELY lady to share with you today!  I've been getting to know Holly via blogging and e-mail for a while now, and I love how genuine and kind she is!  You've got to check out this tradition she's got going on at Christmas!!!  I love it!
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Hi there!

Thank you Elizabeth for letting my spreading my delightfully cynical holiday cheer at your place. I am beyond impressed at the gifts you have crafted and the special memories you are creating with them.

Thank you for the inspiration...the is nothing like a handmade gift!

I am Holly from 504 Main. I cook, craft, and chat about all sorts of things over there. Today I am excited to share a holiday tradition we have at our house. Let my preface this by saying that the holidays and I have a rocky relationship...we need some serious counseling...but alas I now have kiddos, so I put on my (semi) happy face, deal with it, and do my BEST to create our own special and unique traditions!

(And don't tell anyone and ruin my reputation, but I actually enjoy this part of it!)

The Easter Bunny Made Me Do It

Joe was 4-going-on-5 that first year in our new home...our new city. We were still adjusting to life up here - carving out our niche in the community, creating new traditions, and learning to deal with the fog. That Easter we were sans family...it was just the three of us. I wanted to make it really special and different...and the Easter Bunny had the perfect idea. When Joe awoke on Sunday morning, that silly bunny had filled his entire room with balloons and left him a treasure map.

Joe was beyond excited - he raced around the house collecting his treasures. He thought this was just about the best thing that had ever happened...and I agree! At the end of the festivities, Joe looked up at me and asked, "Can we write Santa a letter so he can do this too?"

I sure didn't want to hear the conversation between Santa and the Bunny that night!

Fast forward to December 25...and Santa came through! What a guy! Ever since that Easter in 2006, the Easter Bunny and Santa have left a special surprise for Joe.

This year will be new...and exciting...and it should be a hoot! Jules is old enough to understand and really be part of the action. She participated in the hunt last year, but mainly followed her big brother around. Now, with Jules on the hunt too, watch out Santa!

Just in case you want to let Santa know you like this idea, I thought I'd share a snippet of Joe's past hunts.

• In 2006, he got a map of the house and backyard with X's to mark the spot of his treasure.
• In 2007, the kid was seriously into the Magic Tree House Books, and just starting to really read on his own, so the map became a list and it included rhymes as the clues (like the ones in the books...Santa could work on his rhyming ability...maybe he can chat with Matty?)
• Well, in 2008, Joe was all about I Spy. Santa sent him on a hunt using abstract photos from around the house (boy was he sneaky...I never heard him!)

The treasures Santa leaves are simple little things like rocks, small books (I am sure he gets them from thrift stores), Pokemon cards, playing cards, etc. Santa seems to know just what it is Joe is "in to." Santa is great because he always reminds Joe of the things we want him to work on too!

These are some of the clues he left for Joe...once Joe began the hunt, at each location throughout the house, there was a photo to send him to the next location, until he ended up back at the Christmas Tree.

Mom {ME!} and Dad really get a break too, because while Joe opens his treasures and admires them (he is very thorough about examining his gifts and appreciating them),we get to make coffee before diving into what is under the tree.

How are your holidays going? Do you have a special tradition?

I would love to hear about it! Come say "HEY!" at 504 Main.

Thanks for having me Elizabeth!

Thank you so much Holly!  

Holly has a fabulous blog, she's a busy author, and she's one of the DIY Club creators.  She's one busy lady! 

My girls already know that mom, dad, grandmas, grandpas and other people are the ones who give them all their presents, but I still LOVE this idea for our gifts.  What a fun twist on Christmas morning traditional gift opening!

Tradition on! 

If reading through subscription, click over here to add your own tradition post.

do you know what tomorrow is?

Thursday is the easy answer.  But that's not where I was going with that.

Tomorrow is the first day of Hanukkah . . . well, actually this Jewish celebration starts in a few short hours.  Since we're talking traditions, I wanted to highlight this traditions of Hanukkah.  I'm not Jewish, so I won't even come close to doing this justice.  If you celebrat Hanukkah, I would love to hear about the traditions you use to celebrate this holiday in your home! 

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.  This celebration includes traditional songs, lights, prayers, games and gift-giving. 

And Sara from Creative Jewish Mom has some wonderful traditions, crafts and recipes on her blog that highlights some of the traditions of Hanukkah. 

Check these out:

Hanukkah Candle Holders

Jelly-filled Doughnuts

Spinning Top

We have an excellent little book that we read to our girls to help them understand Hanukkah.  They love the idea of a celebrating with light and candles. 

Do you have ways that you try to help your kids understand the variety of holidays and traditions in your community?

Tradition on!

twelve (plus) days of traditions: star wars anyone?

I love me some Mod Podge, and so does our guest blogger for today - the queen of all things Mod Podge . . . Amy from Mod Podge Rocks!  Woo hoo!

Hi there! 

I'm Amy from Mod Podge Rocks, blogger and crafter extraordinaire. 

I like a little bottle with a pink and orange label a whole, whole lot.  It's called Mod Podge, and if you haven't been to my world, come visit me.  You aren't going to believe what a little glue can do.  It can definitely make the holiday season bright.  That I can assure you!

I'm pleased to be sharing my Christmas traditions with you . . . and like me, they are a little goofy.  I grew up with four younger brothers, and Christmas was a lot of times strapped.  I find it's never the gifts that are the best part of it though, don't you? 

I tried to narrow it down between two traditions, but I couldn't, so here they both are.

Star Wars. 

Did you know that Star Wars is on nearly every holiday weekend? 

It was just on Spike for this past Thanksgiving weekend, and the ENTIRE time I was growing up it was on the USA Network on Christmas Day. 

The trilogy. 

Back to back. 

And when the back to back was done, they would start over.  Can I tell you that this was honestly what I looked forward to every year?  Something that has nothing to do with Christmas, yet because of its airtime became a huge Christmas tradition for me.  So much so that my mom ended up buying me statuettes of all of the characters for my 8th grade Christmas.  I'm guessing I was one of the few 8th grade girls in the world that wanted Star Wars for Christmas.  This is what having four brothers does to you.

Christmas lights. 

This second tradition is a little more "normal."

I still love it to this day!  It wasn't just hopping in the car and driving around to look at a few lights, I promise you. 

It was a huge production that involved:

1.  Planning the night on which to go

2.  Mapping out the neighborhoods to see

3.  Wearing the right gear the night of

4.  Making the perfect cup of hot chocolate to take

5.  Making sure to get the right seat in the car (front was best, of course)

Every year of my childhood we did it - my mom, myself and my four brothers.  Dad stayed home.  Maybe he thought it was lame?  Or maybe he just wanted to give us time with my mom.  Either way, it's one of my favorite Christmas memories.  We'd drive around for about two or more hours "ooohing and aaahing" like we'd never seen Christmas lights before.  I still get happy when I see Christmas lights.  It truly evokes the holiday spirit for me.

Thanks to Elizabeth and all of you for allowing me to share my favorite holiday traditions (and memories) with you.  I hope you will continue to build some of your own - and should any of those involve Mod Podge (I highly recommend it), please come visit me at Mod Podge Rocks any time. 

 Happy Holidays!

I never dreamt the our tradition series would include Star Wars, but I'm so glad it did!  My brother and I would watch Star Wars and then it's spoof counterpart Space Balls all the time growing up.  I even have all the Princess Leah and Ewok action figures.  Yes . . . I already know that I'm a huge dork!

I'm pretty sure you have all been to Mod Podge Rocks, but just in case you are like me . . . always the last one to know about a great thing, then go stop over to see Amy! 

Tradition on!

Don't forget to enter add your own tradition below.

If reading through subscription, click over here to add your own tradition post.

twelve (plus) days of traditions: family baking

Today, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed to welome Jen from Tatertots and Jello.  I'm pretty sure you all hang out regularly on her blog just like me! 
She hosts one of my favoritest (yes, that's a word) parties. 

I love the family pics that she is willing to share with us today.  She is literally giving us a sneak peak into her home and family!  So cool!

  Don't forget to . . .
check out the 4 Advent Calendar giveaways that end tonight at 10 PM.
Party & Cake - Peace On Earth Printable Party Collection
CopyCraft - CHRISTmas Advent Calendar Tree ePattern
Julie Marie - Mod Tree Advent Calendar
happythought - Advent Calendar Garland pdf

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Hi there!

I'm Jen from Tatertots and Jello. I love this Holiday Traditions party idea! It's so fun to read what everyone else does with their families during the holidays.

I thought it might be fun to share one of our favorite family activities. Making cookies!! I usually am so busy crafting and working on projects that I don't have a lot of time to create in the kitchen. But at Christmas-time I love to gather my family around and bake!

My sister Wenderful was in town last weekend and caught our cookie making and I thought I would share it with you along with one of my favorite recipes -- Snickerdoodles!

Real. Life. Together from wendy vonsosen on Vimeo.

And here's one of our favorite Family Recipes -- Snickerdoodles.

So simple and easy to make!

Snickerdoodles

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
3. Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4. Here's the secret -- bake for EXACTLY 8 Minutes!! Remove immediately from baking sheets.

Thanks for letting me come by Elizabeth!!!

I just love Christmas -- here are a few Christmas projects that I have done if you want to come over and check them out.

{Christmas Subway Art Pillow}

{Painted Ornament Pillows}

{Chalkboard Chargers}

{Lump of Coal Gift Boxes}

Have a Wonderful Day!

Thank you Jen!  I'm so ready to go bake some cookies!  Mmm mmm good! 

Tradition on!

Don't forget to enter add your own tradition below.

If reading through subscription, click over here to add your own tradition post.

speaking of ornaments . . .

Kim has me totally thinking ornaments! 

She's inspired me to chuck my usual tree decor which is very prim and proper.  My usual tradition of tree decorating is to do the whole coordinated tree decor thing.  So basically, I spend the night decorating the tree myself and fending of the kids who want to help because I want the tree to look a certain way.  Then I spend a month keeping them away from the tree so they don't mess it up! 

Now, that I think about it that entire tradition seems completely silly.  Why on God's green earth would I try to keep my kids OUT of the fun of decorating.  I could kick myself for doing it this way for the past five years.  Sometimes I just need a swift kick to the behind as a good wake-up call . . . so THANK YOU KIM! 

BUT NO MORE!!!

From now on my kids are going to be part of our tree traditions. 

Enter the Memory Mitten Ornaments.

I actually did this ornament for Stephanie Lynn's ornament extravaganza over at Under the Table and Dreaming.  I was originally planning on starting this tradition and putting all these handmade ornaments on a special wooden ornament tree that I have on the piano.  However, with Kim's tradition swimming around in my head, I'm excited to add these memory mitten to the tree.

 

These ornaments combine two things I love around the holidays: memory-keeping and tradition-keeping.  Each ornament is made from clothing that my children wore at some point during the year.  Every time I look at these ornaments I will remember this year in their lives, and every year I will make a new ornament from another article of clothing.  Then as we pack away the ornaments for safekeeping until the next Christmas, I will ask them to write down one memory from our Christmas celebration (or write it for them) to tuck inside the mitten.  I imagine the Christmas celebrations to come as we read the memories tucked inside each mitten together.

Here's what you need:

~sweaters or other clothes that your children/grandchildren have out grown and hold a special place in your heart

~yarn or embroidery thread

~a yarn or tapestry needle

~ribbon

~felt or other embellishments and hot glue/fabric glue (optional)

Here's what you do:

1)  Draw freehand or use a mitten to trace a child's sized mitten shape onto the sweater.  Make sure you position the mitten or draw the mitten shape so that the open cuff of the mitten will be either the bottom edges of the sleeves or the waist of the sweater.  

2)  Pin the front and back layer of the sweater together and cut out mitten shape.

3)  Thread needle with yarn and sew the two layers together by using the blanket stitch to sew around the outside edge of the mitten.  Make sure to tie a hidden knot at the beginning and end to secure the yarn.

4)  Heat seal the end of your ribbon by running the ends very quickly through a candle flame.  Push ribbon through one of the blanket stitches toward the mitten cuff and tie into a bow.  Secure with a dot of craft glue or hot glue in between the folds of the center so the bow doesn't come undone.

5)  Use felt and/or embellishments however you want to decorate the mitten.  I cut out my daughter's initial and secured it with fabric glue.

6)  Add your memory.

Done!



Craft . . . and tradition on!

Check out the great parties I may link to by clicking on the blog name below or visiting my "I like to party" page that shows off all the party buttons.  These gals go to a lot of work to host these parties.  If you participate in parties please take time to look through a variety of the projects linked up.  They are a great source of inspiration!


Weekend - Somewhat Simple Holiday Party, a little lovely, Craft Envy, Under the Table and Dreaming, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision to Remember, 504 Main - Tickled Pink, Funky Junk Interiors, Tatertots and Jello, I heart naptime


Monday - Keeping it Simple, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, The Trendy Treehouse, CRAFT, Making the World Cuter, Mad in Crafts, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Between Naps on the Porch, Tools Are For Women,  It's So Very Cheri, Skip to My Lou, Sew Can Do, Polly Want a Crafter


Tuesday - All Thingz Related, Sugar Bee, New Nostalgia, Creative Itch, Lucky Star Lane, Hope Studios, These Creative Juices, My Delicious Ambiguity, Today's Creative Blog-Get Your Craft On!,


Wednesday - It's So Very Cheri, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Tea Rose Home, Someday Crafts, My Backyard Eden, Sew Much Ado, Night Owl Crafting


Thursday -  Fireflies and Jellybeans, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple, Seven Thirty Three, The Train to Crazy, PonyTails and FishScales


Friday - The Sabby Nest, A Little Knick Knack, Fingerprints on the Fridge, It's Fun to Craft!, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Kojo Designs, Simply Sweet Home, Frou Frou Decor, Remodelaholic, Momma's Kinda Crafty

twelve (plus) days of traditions: personal ornaments

Kim is here!  Kim is here!  You know . . . Kim from a girl and a glue gun!  She has a wonderful ornament tradition to share with us.  Don't forget to . . .
check out the 4 Advent Calendar giveaways . . . that's right, I said FOUR!
Party & Cake - Peace On Earth Printable Party Collection
CopyCraft - CHRISTmas Advent Calendar Tree ePattern
Julie Marie - Mod Tree Advent Calendar
happythought - Advent Calendar Garland pdf

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Yo. I'm Kim from a girl and a glue gun! I am so excited to be here!

When Elizabeth emailed me about my favorite family tradition I jumped on it!  I have a ton....(like slowly going around and having each person open one present at time...it's like pulling teeth..but I LOVE it (and my mom did it us so it's only fair!) but that's not my favorite.....and I am currently shooting for a mostly handmade Christmas right now on my blog (but that one is DEFINITELY not a favorite...stressful!)  but if you want to come over and see the handmade goods I've got posted so far...head on over.

 (My favorite is the animal scarf...I just love it!...does that

sound conceited? Sorry.  Really though... I LOVE IT. I

think I might be a genius. Okay, I KNOW that sounded conceited.)

but my favorite tradition is actually another one my mom started! In our stockings each year, we
got a special ornament. It represented something we did that year, or something we loved, or something that represented us.  (what sport we played in high school that year, a favorite obsession (like flip flops or a purse) or maybe a chocolate bar....cause we all know how much I love chocolate!) She would write on the back the year we got it...so we could keep track of what we did each year.

Then we got old, and kicked out of the house, and started a family of our own...we got all the ornaments that were ours. I remember that first Christmas tree with my husband...full of all the things that were ME! (poor husband had nothing!)

I have since started this with my own kids...(and my husband...cause I didn't want him to feel left out!)

(The tv is for the year my husband got his Ginormous tv....so far the

best year for him!) sidenote: he is getting an In-N-Out ornament this

year (he has an obsession!) and I have been on a look out for an xbox

ornament...so that will probably be next year!)

(The scooby doo was the boy's costume for that Halloween.  Batman was

HIS obsession (still is). Two years ago, he watched CARS every

morning. EVERY morning! (it was the only way I could shower and get my

crafts...oh I mean cleaning), and his ornament when he was 2 was the

basketball...even at two he loved throwing balls!)

Now, when we set up our Christmas tree (usually the day after BLACK FRIDAY) My kids wait "patiently" (okay, asking every two seconds) to get their ornaments...and when I finally dig
them out of all my Christmas decorations, I give each child the box of their ornaments. They open them up so excited....and then they get to place all  their own ornaments on the tree.

Some years...I do really great finding them (hallmark always has AMAZING ONES)...but sometimes I know exactly what I want...and can't find it..so I make my own! (like the littlest pet shop...I had to

stick a hoop in it's head and added some hot glue! I heart my hot glue gun!)

She has a princess Ro (from barbie's island princess) cause that was

what she was for Halloween that year...and the red girl is a

ballerina...that was for the first year she did dance...and all of

them get a baby one that says My first Christmas for their first

ornament.  

As they get older the more fun it gets to pick

which one truly represents them.  I'm sure star wars will be on

the list this year....maybe an ipod for the daughter....and for sure

mickey mouse for the babe (I didn't show her ornaments cause they

consisted of a stork and a rubber ducky (she's only two!)

I also save any they get at church or school, or any that they made...

cause you know you just can't throw those away.

and I put those in the box too...(and i make sure they get the year

written on them...and where they got them from)

When we get the tree all set up...we turn off the lights and sit there and look at all the things that makes us...US! We love it! The whole month we keep rearranging and playing I-spy with all our
ornaments!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! All parts. but this is one of my most favoritest part!

And if you love ornaments too...I'm having a ornament giveaway on my blog! 
So come check me out!

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Thanks Kim! 

I already entered her ornament giveaway . . . definitely go through your entry into the pot!

Tradition on!

Don't forget to enter add your own tradition below.

If reading through subscription, click over here to add your own tradition post.

twelve (plus) days of traditions: the Christmas keys

Welcome back to another day of traditions.  I have two for you today, so come back for the second one this evening . . . there's a surprise in it for you.  But first, I'm excited that Jerri from Simply Sweet Home is willing to share one of her family's cherished traditions with us. 

Hello Twelve Crafts Till Christmas Readers! My name is Jerri, and I'm from the blog Simply Sweet Home. 

My blog features recipes, craft projects, decor, product reviews, and giveaways.  I also host a weekly linky party called Friday Favorites where readers can link up their favorite posts of the week. And in December I'm hosting my second Holly Bloggy Christmas.  It's 5 fun days of linky parties with 5 great hostesses and 15 fabulous prizes!

I want to thank Elizabeth for having me as a guest on her blog today and for putting this great event together.  Hope you all enjoy my post!

My favorite Christmas activity is decorating the tree. I always get excited to unpack all my favorite ornaments and create an adorably festive work of Christmas art!

A couple of years ago my aunt gave me a lovely ornament set called The Christmas Keys.  The set included three keys.  And we got instructions explaining the meaning behind each key and telling us where each key should be placed on the tree.  This is such a wonderful Tree Trimming Tradition!  It gives you the chance to pause for a minute and consider the real meaning behind Christmas as you decorate with your family.

Today I'll be sharing the three keys so that you can make your own and replicate this tradition in your home this year.

The first  is the Shepherd's Key. It is to be hung on a low branch because Christ was born among the lowly - born beside the shepherds and the sheep.

The second is the Magi's Key.  It is to be hung on a branch near the top of the tree - near the star, because the Magi followed the star to find the Light.

The third is the Christ Key.  It is to be hung on a branch in the center of the tree - because Christ hung in the center - between you and me.  And that is the key to Christmas.

To replicate this tradition in your home, simply purchase three keys.  You should be able to find something cute on etsy or in your local craft store.  Then add some ribbon to hang them by.  Copy the descriptions for each key.  And recite them upon hanging your keys on the tree. 

We always hang the keys last, but if you have small kids you may want to do this first so that you're sure to have their attention. To make it more fun, give each of your kids a key and let them have a turn at hanging a key on the tree as you read the descriptions.  Or if you're kids are old enough to read, let them read aloud to the family about each key as the keys are hung on the tree.  Either way you choose to do it, this tradition is a great way to remind your family about the true meaning to Christmas!

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season!

Wow!  Thanks so much Jerri!  I have never heard of that tradition before.  What a wonderfully simple way to teach children the meaning of Christmas.

Tradition on!