I am a huge fan of family traditions, especially at Christmas. Some of ours have changed as the girls have gotten older. Then again, others have remained exactly the same. That’s the beauty of them. Here are some of ours.

After Thanksgiving we put up the tree. All the girls want to do this so we have to schedule the time to make it happen. When they were younger and we lived in Canada we always went to a tree farm and pulled them on little sleds. Here we’d have to drive to North Carolina to make that happen. Even without the sled rides, we’ve had no trouble embracing the tropical Christmas.

Kier made me a new star for our Florida tree.

Advent stockings come next. Before December arrives the girls stuff their advent stockings.

The girls request their favorites.
Then take turns choosing so it’s fair.
One treat a day until Christmas Eve.

St. Nicholas Day is on December 6. This is a German tradition we did as kids. You put your shoes out and hope for the best!

Baking. We do tons of this at Christmas.

Making some fancy yummy thing for Christmas breakfast is a must. 

Cherry Pecan Madeleines
Paul and I have a quiet coffee while the girls are still asleep.
Brie, bacon, and cranberry croissant wreath. A la fancy breakfast yumminess.

The edible art creations vary from year to year.

Kier’s cheese plate with cream cheese evergreens and a mozzarella igloo.

And a gingerbread house.

With time on their hands, some interesting structure usually goes up in the living room.

When we lived in Canada we spent a lot of effort trying to get to the warmth that we now live in. So now we tend to stay put and enjoy it. 

We do some Disney.
The port is a few minutes away so we will often take a cruise.
Watch coconuts float by in our backyard.

On Christmas Eve the girls open pajamas. 

This was the year we lived in Paris. The only year they got matching ones.

Christmas Day, the parents get up and have coffee. When the kids are up we unpack stockings.

Then breakfast.

Then presents.

Some don’t bother unwrapping theirs before enjoying them.

Later in the day we have a Christmas meal, the menu is set with all the family favorites.

Then, a wee rest.

In the evening we watch the old cartoon version Grinch and try to fit in a game or two.