(This is the only Christmas Photo I have of my children. It’s from 2011.)
Christmas traditions are a little loose at our house. I am the oldest of seven children so growing-up, Christmas was loud and full of fun. DKL came from a smaller family, so the holidays weren’t as loud at his house but still full of fun.
After becoming a couple, DKL and I only had two expectations for the holidays: visiting family and going to church. Gifts, trees, cookies, and such didn’t make the list. All those Christmas traditions are great but for DKL and I they weren’t a priority. We have a low-key approach to Christmas. If the tree makes it is up: great! If not: oh well.
If you are looking for a way to simplify your Christmas here is a blow by blow of our past 10 years of holiday decorating and Christmas traditions for inspiration.
Year 1 DKL and I figure having a baby is the best gift we could give our family, so for Christmas we had….
1 Child
1 Christmas themed pajamas
0 Christmas tree
0 Gifts
0 Stockings
0 Christmas Cookie decorating
Year 2 Repeat previous year with the added bonus of expecting another new baby for all to celebrate. This time it’s a girl.
Year 3 The second child brings added stress to the holidays so DKL and I simplify the holidays by not putting up the Christmas tree.
2 Children
2 Christmas themed pajamas
0 Christmas tree
0 Gifts
0 Stockings
0 Christmas Cookie decorating
Year 4 DKL and I experience our worse year of marriage thus far and a miscarriage. Pause and repeat on previous year for this Christmas minus the Christmas themed pajamas.
Year 5 Surprisingly, the Christmas tree does make it up this year, even with the addition of a third child. However, we neglect to decorate the tree.
3 Children
3 Christmas themed pajamas
1 Undecorated Christmas tree
0 Gifts
0 Stockings
0 Christmas Cookie decorating
Year 6 A lovely kid in my son’s kindergarten class gives him all the details about Santa Claus and so begins Santa gifts…
3 Children
3 Santa Gifts
1 Christmas tree
0 Stockings
0 Christmas Cookie decorating
0 Christmas themed pajamas
Year 7 My depression hits hard this year. The kids take charge and put the Christmas tree up in their room. Repeat previous year.
Year 8 DKL and I start to feel a little guilty over our lack of family Christmas traditions so we decide to take the children out for breakfast Christmas eve and afterwards let them buy any book they want from Barnes and Noble.
3 Children
3 Books
3 Santa Gifts
1 Christmas Eve Family Breakfast
1 Christmas tree
0 Stockings
0 Christmas Cookie decorating
0 Christmas themed pajamas
Year 9 DKL and I feel like catching-up on our movie watching so deem Christmas day as grilled cheese with tomato soup and movie day. After opening presents, we spend the whole day watching as many movies as we can and eating grilled cheese with tomato soup.
3 Children
3 Books
3 Santa Gifts
1 Christmas Eve Family Breakfast
1 Grilled cheese with tomato soup and movie day
1 Christmas tree
0 Stockings
0 Christmas Cookie decorating
0 Christmas themed pajamas
Year 10 Children start a campaign for Christmas stockings. I finally give in two days before Christmas. Children continue decorating their rooms for Christmas.
3 Children
3 Books
3 Santa Gifts
3 Stockings
1 Christmas Eve Family Breakfast
1 Grilled cheese with tomato soup and movie day
1 Christmas tree
0 Christmas Cookie decorating
0 Christmas themed pajamas
Year 11 Current Year: We will just have to see what this season brings. DKL is fixing up his parent’s old stereo turntable so perhaps a few Christmas records will be added to the mix this year. You never know, we might even get to decorating a christmas cookie or two.
However you spend your holiday (simple, fancy, or otherwise) may it be filled with family, fun, and lots of laughter.
