December 10: Traditions

Do you have any neat family traditions? I guess Preston and I are trying to come up with our own. So any ideas would be appreciated.

Jewish Dinner
My family always had a "Jewish dinner" the night before Christmas. It was supposed to remind us of what Jesus would have eaten. It included cheeses, olives, mutton, crackers, etc. Also my mom would have us eat by candlelight.The Christmas Story
Like many families we acted out and read Luke 2 each year. We also watched Luke 2 the movie that the church sent out. It's a good reminder of what Christmas is all about.
Gift to Christ
Preston and I started a tradition where we wrote down a gift that we could give the Savior that year. We would write it on a piece of paper and put it somewhere safe to look back to the following year.Here are some more ideas I found for the holiday season:
(from Homespun Christmas)
Bird Messengers
Have your kids ever asked you how Santa knows if they're naughty or nice? In our house, it was the birds knew. All year long the birds keep watch over all the children of the world. They fly to the North Pole and report their findings. We always had a bird feeder out the moment the weather turned cold.

Bird Feeder Pine Cones
Gather pine cones and put peanut butter and sunflower seeds in them for the birds. Wrap in wax paper and tie with a ribbon. You can give them to the neighbors to hang in their trees.

Cut down your own tree
Get a forest permit and take time to go to the woods to pick your Christmas tree out. Pack the kids up along with treats and hot cocoa and find the perfect tree.

Family Memories Journal
As your child grows up, take a blank, bound journal and write down recipes to their favorite meals, cookies and so forth. Then, the first year that the child has left home, gotten married or moved away, wrap this book up and give it to them. Be sure to add the family holiday traditions and you will give a gift of love that has no price tag.

Next Year Journal
Try keeping a "next year" journal. Tell yourself what to do differently next year, or make lists of places to go, people to see and things to do that you never got to do this year. Review your notes once in a while during the year so you don't forget again next year.
Personalized Christmas Ornaments
Buy an ornament for each family member with their name and year on it. I try to find one that will back some special memories, such as a train ornament for the year Jim got his train set, or a rocket for the year he went to Space Camp. (Preston's mom has done this for him).

Memory Book
When older family members, such as grandparents or great aunts and uncles are visiting for the holidays, keep a book handy and ask them to write a page or two of their favorite memories as a child. What was Christmas like at their home? Can they recall their favorite Christmas? Perhaps they could write their favorite recipe in the book for a holiday treat. Your memory book can be packed away each year with the Christmas ornaments and placed out on the coffee table the next year. It's fun to read and recall best memories of those loved ones and their good old days.

Gift of giving
Help your children share the giving spirit of Christmas. Before the holidays, go through their toys with them, pulling out two or three they no longer play with. Clean them up and donate them to a shelter or community project for less fortunate children.
Address the Christmas Cards Party
Invite friends over for an address the Christmas cards party. Ask them to bring a snack to share along with their cards, stamps, address books, and return labels.