Family Traditions

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Family Traditions is the theme of this week’s crew challenge.  It’s easy to talk about the things we do that help make our family special to us. Traditions are a huge source of comfort as we navigate life don’t you think?  A sense of familiarity even when everything it topsy-turvy.  Is it any surprise that people are starting to decorate for Christmas early?   In a year that’s been hard… family Christmas traditions help keep us centered on what’s important to us. Today we’ll talk about some of the traditions that are important to us.

Mom, Can Grandma Come?

This was a question from my 15-year-old when he came home from grandma’s last week.  I must have looked a bit startled/confused… for he went on the explain. “Grandma wants to come and do some tidying and stuff so we can put up your village.  Can she come?”   My response was that “it is much too early for that”. 

I’ve thought about it since then and told the lad this morning that he should “call grandma up and figure out a day, you two can put up the village”.  It gives us something to look forward to don’t you think?  A bit of normalcy in a rather crazy year. 

Christmas Devotions

You might call these advent devotions, but they help us focus on the true meaning of Christmas.   This year we’re doing on written by John Piper. It’s called Joy to the World. It’s put out by DesiringGod.org. 

Christmas Music Traditions

Every year on my blog I do Christmas music on the Sundays leading to Christmas.  One year I think I did one almost every day.  It was fun!  Anyways, beyond posting Christmas music on the blog I have a whole shelf full of Christmas music, and we often put on a long-playing YouTube video with Christmas music with a fireplace as the backdrop. 

Family Traditions – Baking

Just before I started writing this post I told my fellows that I’m starting to want to make Christmas cookies.  You know what?   They didn’t complain about that idea at all!  🙂 

I’ve shared some of the cookies we’ve made over the years.  I’ll probably make many of the same, though I just got a huge bag of mini rolos so might try my hand at Christmas cookies with them. 

• the New and Old of Christmas Baking. 
• Christmas Baking – the boys. 
• The Togetherness of Christmas Baking. 
• Christmas Cookies.

Christmas Tree

I have to admit, I used to decorate the whole house with knick-knacks but I decided three years ago that as much as I like to, it’s just too much work.   I know I know… lazy of me isn’t it!?!?!   Part of that “too much work” was my tired hubby’s comments of “where is my _____” because I moved it to make room for my knick-knacks.   It’s more important to keep the peace than to rearrange the house AND end up with a frustrated fellow.  He works really hard and deserves less frustration when he’s home eh? 

BUT we do put up a tree.  We have tons of decorations, homemade, purchased or gifted.  Our tree changes every year.  Of course we have favourites (such as my joy snowmen) that go up every year, but the rest more or less rotate their way through. 

Before Christmas Tradition

One of our before Christmas Traditions is closing out our review year with the Homeschool Review Crew. I normally do a post with our favourites but I’ve decided to include them here.  It’s always good to have a break you know?  You can find the favourites of the crew in this post. 

Reviews that we did this year

• Beyond the Stick Figure.  Art for all ages.
• Drive Thru History.  Learning about biblical archaeology.
• Homeschool in the woods.  Timeline figures for history.
• Journey Homeschool Academy.  Highschool biology.
• Julie Naturally.  Bible studies in Romans and Philippians.
• Maxscholar.  Learning to read
• My Teaching Library.  Supplements for all grades. 
• NatureGlo.  Science, math, geology, mini courses.
• Pilgrim Rock. Apologetics course. 
• Rebecca Locklear.  history ebook.
• Simply Coding.  Computer sciences.
• SchoolhouseTeachers.com.

Favourites from the year?  Simply Coding (the lad) and Journey Homeschool Academy (me). 

So what family traditions do you have during this holiday season?  Are you starting early? Have a favourite cookie recipe?  (if so, please share!  Good cookies are fun to make). Do you put up a tree?  Have a favourite ornament to share?  What makes Christmas a time of comfort for your loved ones?