Now that Nutcracker is officially over (so very sad if I’m being honest), we are rolling right along to our family Holiday Bucket list! Each year, I dust off our list and re-post it where the kids all can see and have access to it. Because we laminated it, it’s super easy to check the items off with a dry erase marker and then just clean and put away for the next year. I made a more generic (but still just as cute) one for you guys to print and do the same with your family! You can find the free printable HERE. As we check off our items, I am going to add pics here so you can guys can see what all we are doing and hopefully get ideas for your own families!
NUTCRACKER
This is truly one of my most favorite traditions!!! Olivia just danced in her fourth Nutcracker. For Brad, this was his third and for sweet Pookie Bear Viv- this was her first. It’s so sweet to see the different roles and things they get to do each year. My family and friends who come to watch are always shocked to see that Brad has a pretty big role as Drosselmeyer, and this year Olivia got to dance the role of Clara. Vivi lived her best life as a Baby Mouse and a Baker (the same two roles that Olivia started out in for her first Nutcracker at age seven). We keep getting asked if the boys and myself will ever join in and just make it a family event, and I honestly don’t know! On the one hand, I think it would be fun to all do it just once as a family, but- I also know it’s a lot on a mama to even have two kids in it so I just can’t say for sure haha. Here are some pics from our Nutcrackers over the years!
GINGERBREAD HOUSES
We do this every single year for as long as I can remember!! And we always make it a little more fun by having a competition that we have voted on by our Instagram family! This year we have already done two sets of houses because the first one- even though we managed- it was hard to get to stay upright and stable! Some of you guys told me you use hot glue which is so genius so we may try that next time!! Our second one that we just did last night was way more fun because I found them at Target already put together so all we had to do was decorate! Brad and the boys always get “creative” and add things that don’t necessarily come with the kits. Is this cheating? I haven’t decided haha. Here are a few of our gingerbread houses over the last few years.
DECORATE THE TREE
You guys know this is something we get super excited for each year!! I gather up our favorite snack type finger foods (the kids love helping make them all), and we have a big spread of foods and treats on the table that we enjoy on our favorite Christmas dishes! This is usually our first time to bring them out for the year, and let me just say this- we eat all of our meals (minus the occasional paper plate meal) on these Christmas dishes. They aren’t reserved for “fancy meals” only or dinner parties. I want my kids to remember them as part of our traditions, and they are dishwasher safe so that helps! Ok- back to the tree. We spend hours putting up the tree, snacking on yummy treats, and listening to Christmas music usually on Youtube that we play from the TV. It truly is such a sweet tradition and one I hope they continue with their own kids. This one came straight from my mama, and I looked so forward to it each year. I know I have probably mentioned this before, but I will never forget being told no to attending our hometown Christmas parade because it was family tree decorating night. It was non-negotiable family time that now I make sure to prioritize with my own little fam. Let me also say- you don’t have to have an “aesthetic” tree. Part of what makes our tree so special is the mismatched ornaments, a lot of which came from when I was a kid. Now don’t get me wrong- I love our Christmas tree so very much, but I don’t strive for perfection in the decorating or have to make sure it “matches.” Us moms have so much to do this time of year so take that standard off your plate, and I promise you and your kids will enjoy your tree so much more. Here are some of our tree decorating pics from the last few years.
Stay tuned for more pictures as we check off more of the activities from our holiday bucket list!
