The funny thing about traditions is that you can start them at any time. I know that lots of people make gingerbread houses together. Well, this year seemed like a good time to begin a tradition with my youngest grandson. Today we decorated a gingerbread house. He is only 2 so at first, all he wanted to do was eat the candy. Soon he was really into squirting the icing out onto the roof and “ground”. Watching the joy and concentration on his little face as he engaged in this new activity was really enjoyable. I loved sitting back and seeing this activity through the eyes of a child.

When I think about the holidays I like to imagine what it is like to be a small child. I can’t remember what it felt like when I was that young, so I just have to watch my grandson’s reactions to everything. He did get upset when we told him he couldn’t eat any more candy. Later in the day he ran to the kitchen counter and pointed at the house. We originally had the house proudly displayed on the dining table but he was able to scramble up onto a chair and grab candy so we had to move the masterpiece to the counter.

I am hoping that next year when he is three we can make another gingerbread house together. This year I bought a pre-constructed house just to make it easier. Maybe next year I will buy a kit that needs to have the walls put together. Next time, I know I will buy a bigger assortment of candy…and eat it right along with him. I want this to become an experience he looks forward to each year. I want him to enjoy traditions as much as I do.

What are your Traditions?

What traditions do you have between Thanksgiving and New Year’s? One tradition I love is opening Christmas pj’s on Christmas Eve. This morning I ordered matching pj’s for myself, my daughter, and my grandson from https://oldnavy.gap.com. Old Navy is my go-to site for Christmas pj’s, kids’ clothes, and clothes in general. This year we went with a more traditional plaid pattern. As a child, I never connected that we opened pajamas every Christmas Eve. I was too caught up in the magic of the season. It wasn’t until I got a bit older and my mother explained that her father had begun that tradition in her childhood household that I finally understood the significance. My mom continued it in my growing-up years, and I brought it with me to my married family. Now my daughters have brought it into their married families.

I hope that you and the important people in your life share some special traditions during this time of year. Traditions do not have to cost money. They should be enjoyable to all participants. Share ideas of things that you would like to do together. Make it happen. Put all your stresses aside and enjoy being in the moment. Soon you will be seeing the holidays through the eyes of a child.

See future posts as I write about the completed items on my holiday to-do list.

Holiday To-Do List

• Gingerbread house
• Christmas pj’s
• Baking
• Decorating
• Christmas Cards