This is our first REAL Christmas together as husband and wife. Last year was so stressful that we didn’t even have time to think up traditions, let alone actually do them. So this year is our first year to really start our family traditions during the holidays. We know that until we have kids, these traditions will probably change from year to year due to traveling to see family, being with different sides of the family each year, etc.
So here they are, our Heathcock Family Traditions 2018:
Decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving
Watching Elf and making homemade Apple Cider while we decorate the tree together
Christmas Family Photos for our Christmas cards
We put out snacks and waters for the delivery men on the first of December to thank them for working so hard this time of year
We open ONE present exactly ONE week before Christmas to help get the Christmas jitters out (View our Christmas Lists here)
Attending the Christmas service at Vibrant Church
Decorating Christmas cookies the Sunday before Christmas (after our Sunday nap) and watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
Driving around to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve
Making a big breakfast on Christmas morning while watching Home Alone
As our family grows, we will add more traditions but for now, with our little family, this works just fine. We both love Christmas but we are extremely busy this time of year so fitting everything we’d like to do is nearly impossible! So we have made sure to implement some easy, yet meaningful, and fun ones to help make this time of year still feel special to us. The Heathcocks wish you the Merriest Christmas this year!
I love hearing other people’s traditions and I may steal some for next year!
What are some of your Christmas traditions?
Well first of all, let me say that I love your sign! Joy! Yup, my name is so popular this time of year, my apt. is filled with cups, pillows, etc. with “Joy” things.
Like you, I decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving, while either listening to Christmas music (Johnny Mathias my favorite), or watching the Hallmark channel with the start of their Christmas movies.
Another annual tradition that has lasted through the generations is now Tiffany and I taking Reese and Nixon to see The Nutcracker! That ballet always puts me in a Christmas mood. Of course there is also the yearly visit to see Santa and the Santa picture.
I enjoy watching the old movies like, A Christmas Carol (1951 edition), It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas. I love these classic films.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day vary because it’s all about Reese and Nixon and being that their parents are split now it changes from year to year. This year, Brian has generously invited Tiffany and I over to celebrate Christmas Eve at his home with the kids and his family and he will come over to Tiffany’s for part of Christmas Day when she has them. Tiffany and I will go to Mass before the kids come over. After the usual opening of gifts, we’ll take them to see Mary Poppins Returns, then back to Tiffany’s for dinner, then to Balboa Island to see the Christmas lights while singing Christmas Carols.
This Saturday we are taking the kids on a Polar Express train ride to Santa’s village which is a new experience for them.
So, so cute, Courtney! Mike and I don’t have any traditions yet. Life is just so crazy haha but I know some we’ll start once we have kids!
It looks like you have some great traditions! I don’t have my own family, but I definitely have a few of my own Christmas traditions… mostly centered around movies and books. I love stories! 🙂
Aww I love this! It’s so cute that you guys open one present each before Christmas, such a fun idea!