Well, it's hard. it was over a two hour conversation about what we had (as kids, as adults) and what we are choosing for Tristan. Some are selfish (so deal with it) and others, we are doing our best to accommodate our family's 'stuff' as well.
So here goes...in case Tristan every wants to know where his crazy family gets these ideas from:
First of all - Friday after Turkey Day - Christmas carols are on and the decorating begins! We will get the Christmas tree (as a family) and daddy gets up the lights. Then we will dig out the ornaments and decorate the tree together. Daddy is in charge of hot chocolate of course! White lights on the tree and then Daddy has full reign to go all "Griswold" on the outside of the house. Daddy and Tristan will then set up the train (the more complex as the years go by, of course) around the Christmas tree!
Each year, Tristan and I will shop for a "Shoebox child" - for those of you that don't know, you can fill a shoe box with anything you would like for a needy child. It is SO fun... plus, it teaches Tristan to GIVE not just receive.
Mommy then wraps all of her gifts for the East Coast family.... and Daddy will most likely begin to think of what to buy the Texans. We'll split the duties and that way can feel like we did Christmas our own way (the less stressful way - and God help me understand HOW that is shopping the week before Christmas. All the more power to ya Holt!)
We will, I repeat - WILL get a family photo every year. No it won't be canned and weird... it will be funky and cool and non-traditional...cuz that's us.
We will then set up a Nativity scene... VERY important.
Tristan will fill out his Christmas list to send off to the family and then Mommy will finish up and mail our annual family Christmas letter by the 1st week of December. :)
For December... our Advent Cards begin. We bought a really cool set of cards and the proceeds went to a missionary... so each day lists something to pray for: Peace, Slavery, Adoption, War, etc... pretty awesome to keep you aware of the world around you (which I admittedly am horrible at). Mommy makes gifts for T's teachers and finishes the calendar for the family.
We will then round up all the used toys that Tristan no longer plays with and they will be donated. On top of that, as soon as T is old enough, we will serve in some capacity. Next year it will be simple like make sugar cookies for the neighbors, but after that we hope to actually do something at Children's Medical, a food pantry or a shelter. Holt and I did that for years in Chicago and it's life changing.... T needs to know that too - plus, I can tell he's already got the heart for it at two *SMILE*
We have decided to take our annual sleigh ride with Kelby, Jennifer, Ryan and Maddox McKoy - (although we'll pass on the cussing Santa) through Highland Park. We will also (hopefully with James and Sue) fire up the hot cocoa and ride/walk to see the Deerfield Christmas lights. It's free, it's fun and it is over the top - Griswold style!!! If we see Santa... that's a bonus - I'll find him somewhere but kids just don't like the picture thing so let's just hope that happens on its own...
And I'll try and force this one... reindeer noses and Christmas caroling. no one does it anymore and I think it's SHEER greatness!!!! Come on...who's in? I think I can talk James and Sue into it and maybe juuuust maybe the Coggeshalls!!!
Ok, so here is where it gets tricky... Holt and I were raised differently...
Christmas Eve -Cookies and milk for Santa - check! Reindeer dust and carrots - check! This year we didn't do this and I'm STILL VERY sad about it. We didn't read "T'Was the Night Before Christmas or the Christmas Story from the Bible. I know Tristan is young, but the other kids aren't and I just feel like both or SO important, obviously one more than the other.
One awesome thing though... last night (Christmas night) we played Tristan the book that Gwamma gave him. She had recorded Twas the Night Before Christmas... so she read him to sleep without even being here. THAT will be a tradition for sure... I LOVED IT!!! I got to hear my Mama and she got to be here with us even though she wasn't. it rocked.
Ok, so... onward....
My world, Italian dinner (when I was little open ONE gift then to bed) but now, open gifts with Grandpa Harold then to bed.
Holt's family...they open EVERYTHING. So, we have decided, when we are in NY... we'll do gifts with Grandpa H and then gifts with Grandma and the Kinson's Christmas Day. Then we have family dinner together.
In NY...Santa brings his gifts Christmas Day and we'll remind him just to toss them into the mix of all the other goodies!!
In TX - we spend the night at Sam and Ruth Ann's and remind Santa to bring Tristan's gifts to their house.
Every 3rd year (like this year) we will be spending it at home (regardless of where we live) - it's just too much traveling every single year and (for me) I haven't had a Christmas in my own home in about 20 years and while I only had about 10 minutes in my own house... it was still an awesome gift that Holt gave our family.
Thankfully Santa got our note this year to leave Tristan's gifts here but to bring all of our stockings over to Bebah and Bumpa's house so we could open together as a family. Whew! Mommy put that request in last minute....
Finally, Holt, Tristan and I will have dinner together on Christmas night...regardless of where we are... and we will celebrate Jesus' birthday. I bought a HUGE Cupcake tin and he will have a cake - made and decorated by us and hopefully a room of balloons and a HUGE heart of thanksgiving. Not because we received new clothes or the greatest toy... but because we are a family, we are alive, we are free and mostly because God gave us His Son, to come and offer us eternal life. Isn't that what it's all about?
It's my job to explain that to T and let him choose for himself. I sure hope he chooses Wisely. It's all that matters!!!!
Merry Christmas... welcome to the annual "Barber" Christmas Tradition list. Exhausted yet?
I think I outta hit the after Christmas specials..... this is where I make out big! ta-ta!!
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