Christmas is about giving, love, hope, and even family. There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than to celebrate it with your family. As Christmas is only a week away, I am sitting back thinking of all of the memories my family has shared over the years during the Christmas season and, as they come to my mind, I look forward even more to participate in some of my family's Christmas traditions this year.
1. Making Iced Gingerbread and Sugar Cookies
Every year since I can remember the whole family helped my mom make sugar cookies. When we were younger, we were too young to help with the baking, but we helped with icing the cookies and putting sprinkles on them. However, when my brother Brandon, my sister Lindsay, and I got older, we started to help her not only make the dough but use the cookie cutters to cut out Christmas shapes from the dough. Last year my dad and I started a new tradition making gingerbread cookies and, not to blow my own whistle, but they are pretty amazing!
2. Riding the Christmas Train Through the Neighborhood
For the past few years, I have ridden on the Christmas train in our neighborhood. Some years I rode on it with my parents, but these past two years I rode on it with one of my best friends, Ellie. You get on the train at the park in my neighborhood where you can meet Santa, and hot cocoa and cookies are provided. On the train ride, we always sing Christmas carols and look at all of the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.
3. Going to Toast EveryYear for Breakfast With My Siblings and My Grandma
All through high school and maybe even middle school my grandma, Lindsay, Brandon, and I went to a local breakfast place called Toast. Every year I get the chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and bacon. The pancakes are huge and are big enough to cover the whole plate. Even though my mouth waters and craves the taste of the chocolate chip pancake, I also look forward to spending time with my grandma and my siblings every year.
4. Going to the Children's Christmas Service at Our Church, out to Dinner and to Look at Christmas Lights on Christmas Eve
Every Christmas Eve we all get dressed up and go to the children's service at our church at around 5 p.m. or so. The children's service consists of the telling of the Christmas story and singing Christmas carols. After the church service we go and eat at TGI Friday's where I normally get a delicious steak and a virgin strawberry daiquiri. After a mouthwatering dinner full of amazing food, laughter, and reminiscing over family memories, we head home so my sister and I can put on our matching Christmas pajamas before we head out to look at Christmas lights in the area.
5. Eating a Big Breakfast, Staying in Our Pajamas, and Watching Movies All Day on Christmas Day
On Christmas morning, after we empty our stockings and open our presents, my mom makes a big breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits. After we stuff ourselves and gain a hundred pounds, we have a movie day where we watch all of the movies we received for Christmas. While both of my parents and grandma change out of their pajamas at some point, the rest of us stay in our pajamas all day and pretty much have a lazy day.
