My Favorite Christmas Traditions

It's the most wonderful time of yearrr! I am so excited for this Christmas season and all that is to come! My family enjoys traditions and the Christmas season is FULL of them, so I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite family traditions with you!

The Smell Of Christmas

I LOVE the smell of Christmas, and I absolutely love that I can have my home smelling like it Whenever. I. Want.  So if you are like me, and want your house smelling AMAZING, I strongly encourage you to give this a go!

I found a very similar recipe here

Enjoy!

Johnny Right

One tradition that my family has had for the longest time is reading the story "Johnny Right". My mom usually goes out and gets a little over 20 small presents and wraps them (similar to white elephant gift exchanges). Once the family is all together, we sit in a circle and are all given a wrapped present. One person is the Narrator and begins reading the story. Every time the word "right" or "left" is said, the present in your hand is passed that direction. Once the story is complete, the present in hand is the one you get! 

I am sure there are tons of "right" or "left" Christmas stories out there, but if you want to make it more fun, write your own each year! 

Lights! Lights! Lights! 

Every year, my family grab a hot chocolate or an apple cider and go see Christmas lights! Zoo lights are SO expensive, so why not go somewhere free and even more fun to look at! Check out the Christmas lights at the Mesa Arizona Temple. Another really cool place to see lights are on a neighborhood street by the Rancho Del Mar Park. If you find the park, continue going down S. Cherry Street and turn right on Natal Circle.

I have thought about checking out the Glendale Glitters because I have heard nothing but good things about this place, and want to give it a shot! If you have been there or have another favorite Christmas lights location, let me know! 

The Christmas Trees

As I have shared before, my siblings and I are all adopted. I remember growing up and having two Christmas trees. One, in the living room, with all of the fun and colorful family ornaments. And the second, in the family room, with all white and silver ornaments. I am not sure if this is how it was intended in the beginning, but the white tree always had the cards and presents from our Birth families and the family tree had the presents from Santa, and everyone else. Even today, my parents still have both trees and it will always be special to me. However, now that we are all grown and have met our birth families, we do not use the white tree for that purpose, but it is still in the family room. Now, the white tree represents something more special & meaningful to me personally. Today, the white tree makes me think of the special meaning of Christmas and the cleanliness of the Savior. This is a tradition that I will continue with my future family and I hope that they come to appreciate it the way that I have. 

Watching Elf

Growing up, my siblings and I would sleep in the same room together on Christmas Eve and fall asleep watching a Christmas movie. As we got older, the Christmas movie never changed. It was always the same movie, Elf. If you have seen the movie, you understand why. If you haven't, watch it.

You're welcome.

Christmas Breakfast 

There is only one thing that is better than presents on Christmas morning, and that is my mom and dad's scones. They are basically small sugary fried bread. To think that carbs and sugar is just enough for us, we add even more! The table is filed with choices of toppings. Different flavors of jam, cinnamon and sugar, butter, honey, and syrup. Just talking about it makes my mouth water. Christmas morning, I'm coming for ya! 

Luminaries

This is the tradition that I feel is closest to my heart. Every year, my family creates Luminaries and surround them around our yard. One thin that is unique about ours is that before placing them outside, we write the name of someone who has passed on, on each bag. It is always a special time, because we are able to sit as a family and remember those who have passed away and are special to our lives. As they surround our home, it is really touching to see their names lit around our home, making it feel like they are with us, during this special holiday. 

Elvis

My mom LOVES Elvis, so listening to his Christmas music throughout the month of December is a MUST. It use to drive me crazy when I was younger, but I must say his songs have grown on me. 

Ginger bread houses competition 

When my family was younger and still under the same roof, we would build a ginger bread house together. Now that we are older, it became a competition on who could make the best ginger bread house. So now, every year we grab all the candy we can find, a ginger bread house, and have a challenge! I know Brent & I will be #1 this year. ;) 

Opening one present on Christmas Eve

Before ending the night, we each pick one present under the Christmas tree and open it. It is kind of the "pre-game" of present opening on Christmas. 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Any advice on starting up new traditions for a newly wed couple? I would love to carry on the traditions I had growing up but would also enjoy building some new ones for this little family of mine.