My Favorite Christmas Tradition; What is Yours?

When it comes to the holidays, we all have traditions. Whether it's going to Grandma’s on Christmas Eve for A Christmas Story marathon with cousins or catching the latest blockbuster movie on Christmas Day, this time of year is filled with traditions. I can almost taste Aunt Susan’s bread pudding as I write!

My family's had its fair share of traditions over the years. When my sons Dylan, 18, and Willie, 16, were tots there were Christmas pageants, cookie exchanges and afternoons spent writing letters to Santa containing wish list items that we all hoped the elves at the North Pole had time to make (because all the malls were sold out).

My favorite tradition was probably my sons' least favorite. It was creating our family Christmas card, which would then go on to inspire a Christmas tree ornament. Over the years I tricked the kids into wearing ill-fitting costumes before hauling them off to the photographer to get their photo taken.

My relatives thought I was nuts dressing up my sons as Christmas trees, jack-in-the boxes and gingerbread men. Some warned that I might even cause psychological damage; alas, my boys turned out perfect — though if they see me with a camera they run like the wind with their arms flailing!

I’ve shared some photos of the ornaments on our Christmas tree that were inspired by past holiday cards. I hope they make you smile. (If they make you laugh, please do not tell Dylan or Willie!)

So what are your holiday traditions? How have they changed over the years? Let us know in comments below.

Please share your favorite holiday photos with us, too, so my kids are not alone in their embarrassment. Happy holidays!

– Judy Davids, Royal Oak Patch editor