I have always LOVED the holiday season, but honestly who doesn’t? I love the idea of Holiday Traditions, being with family and spending time with our loved ones. Doing lots of shopping and giving/receiving the best gifts. Many of you know my birthday is on Christmas Day, probably another reason I love this time of year. However, when I was 16 the Holiday’s changed for me. My dad passed away suddenly early on Christmas morning and it hasn’t ever been the same. It took several years to even feel normal and like it was OK to celebrate. I always notice other happy family’s and hate that our family isn’t that way anymore. I think this is what I struggle with the most every year. But, since having Aria and Amelia, I have rediscovered my joy and love for the holidays.
What I love most is seeing their excitement, more so Aria since she’s older and understands more about what’s going on. I mean, everyday since we put up the Christmas tree Aria says how excited she is for Christmas and Santa and the cookie baking. I love introducing them to our family traditions and finding new ones of our own.
Our Holiday Traditions
- New Christmas pajamas. Every Thanksgiving Day my mom gets the kids their Christmas jammies. It’s our kick-off to the holidays and the countdown begins in our house.
- Putting up our tree and decorating it together while blasting Christmas music. We use to always do this on Thanksgiving Day, however I have moved it up because we go out of town for the holidays and I want to enjoy it.
- Elf on the Shelf began last year. This was the most fun. I’m so glad we added this to our traditions. I love seeing them look for whatever silly place Glitter is every morning.
- Gingerbread house decorating. I haven’t always been a huge fan of this (I think it’s because mine never turn out cute, HaHa), but Aria loves it. This year Amelia is old enough to actually do her own, so I’m excited to see how she likes doing this.
- Making and decorating sugar cookies. Does everyone else do this? We do this with my mom and sister and my nephew. It’s a little messy, but so fun. Seeing the pure joy in the kids’ faces as they squeeze out the icing, shake sprinkles everywhere and then stiffing their faces.
- Visiting Christmas lights displays. We found a couple of fun places here in CA. Theirs Widmer World, The Oakland Zoo, and Mountain View Cemetery (sounds odd, buts it’s really pretty). In Kansas City we LOVE Christmas in the Park.
We always head to Kansas City for the holidays and spend a few weeks there to spend it with our families. This is both stressful and challenging. Trying to plan good Christmas gifts for the girls is hard. It can’t be too big, because we have to travel, nor do I want to be boring and just give them clothes. I tend to find functional things. Last year they got the cutest pink and glitter gold polka dot suitcases. I also got these back packs, but gave them early because they’ll be needed for traveling.
Here is my Kids Gift Guide. So many great things out right now too. If you have any great suggestions for gifts to give while traveling please comment below! I always need great suggestions!
Be sure to check out my other gift guides here.
Kids Gift Guide
Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you have a fantastic week!
Sounds like a busy holiday for you and your family. Btw, the booties of your little girls are sooo cute, and they’re sooo adorable! Kisses!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
I am truly so sorry to hear about your dad. I can’t even imagine how this must have changed your holiday and your birthday feelings. You have such a beautiful family and the traditions you have in place are beautiful! I love wearing holiday pajamas and baking sugar cookies too!!
This post is too cute! The kids are adorbale and I might have to steal these ideas from my nieces and nephews
This sounds like such a fun time. I’m glad you have such great holiday traditions! The Christmas PJs is probably my favorite out of all of them.
http://www.meghanlaurie.com
Oh, my goodness! How adorable are your kids. You have a beautiful family.
xx, Maryam
http://www.glamandposh.com
Oh wow that is so much stuff darling. Ur kids are cute… honestly. Loved the post and I feel that u are a great great great mom… and I would have needed all of these toys as a kid for sure
Oh my goodness, how much cuteness;) I adore your holiday traditions, we do many of them. I can’t believe it is already that time of the year, I love it
I love your gift guide! So many cute clothes for the kiddos!
I don’t have little kiddies of my own but your gift guide is seriously so cute!!! I absolutely adore your family traditions and love keeping mine alive too. I especially love the Christmas jammies. I might have to implement this for my own family tradition !
It saddens me to hear about your father passing away on what is both your birthday and Christmas Day and understand it complicated things for many years, but thankfully you now have two small ones to take care off and create new memories for. They look adorable in their backpacks! Try not to be too busy!
Thomas xx
Dear Kallie, first of all you are the sweetest mom and your girls will always remember the family traditions you have created for them. Since my mother left us when I was sixteen like you, I know how sad holidays can be. I’ve overcome that feeling only lately, creating my own traditions with my family, just like you did. Your gift guide is packed with adorable goodies by the way.My daughter has that same indoor tent! Love, Valeria
Hello dear. First off, I am so sorry about your dad. I don’t want to know what that is like. You are one strong woman. To the happier part of this post, I love your traditions, it just makes me feel all warm and festive reading about them. And your girls look adorable with their backpacks. They are lucky to have you as their mom. Hope you have a blessed holiday season.
Love, Dom
I’m sorry to hear about your Dad passing. I know time is meant to be a good healer and your darling little ones keeping you occupied. I love your suggestions, I have two little ones I need to get gifts for soon! xxx
my kid is 12 now and all she wants is Adidas or Nike stuff! Heeeeelp 🙂 LOVE this post darling! Happy Xmas shopping!
Tatyana x
Loved your selection for your gift guide. SO many great ideas. I especially loved the cute backpacks. <3
Sweet as Fiction
http://www.sweetasfiction.com
Such wonderful traditions with your Little’s! The guide is indeed complete with lovely pieces and ideas. I had seen the Le Creuset cookware and wished that my princess was still younger! Seeing them in your Guide, too, tells me we think alike. I’m sure your girls will love any of these items. They’re all great!