Christmas would not be Christmas without the traditions each family has, and my family has several!

Tradition #1 The meal- Now I know what you are thinking this is a common tradition for every family. My family eats turkey, dressing, green beans, fruit salad, cool whip pie (my personal favorite), and deviled eggs. The reason I put this on the list is because up until this year I had no idea how important this tradition was to my parents till I suggested that we try something new… not my brightest moment I will admit.

Tradition #2 Movies- This tradition has happened since I was a kid. We have several movies and a countdown from our least favorite to our favorite movie. Each night we watch a different movie and every Christmas Eve we watch The Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston and on Christmas Day we watch White Christmas. Our list of movies includes Elf, Christmas with the Kranks, Scrooged, Four Christmas’, Family Stone, Santa Clause 1, 2, and 3, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle On 34th Street, and Deck The Halls. All great movies!!!!

Tradition #3 Ornaments- Each year I get a new ornament for the tree that usually resembles something I loved about this past year, but when it comes to ornaments this isn’t our only tradition. Because my family is so sports oriented we tend to have a ton of team ornaments for The Cardinals, The Cowboys, and of course my Texas Longhorns. The tradition with this though is placement on the tree. The team who played the best that year gets the best spot on the tree and the worst goes in the back where no one can really see it (brutal in my house).

Tradition #4 Christmas Eve- Every Christmas Eve I get to open one gift! After my family and I do lunch and get ready for Christmas Eve service at CrossRoads Fellowship. After church we usually go eat at Texas Roadhouse…I have no idea why this became a tradition, but it did.

Tradition #5 PRESENTS- Now do not get me wrong I do not believe Christmas is all about the presents. Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and Savior and the gift He IS to our world. The tradition with our presents though is my favorite tradition we have. I have a small family and opening every gift that said from “Mom&Dad” would get kid of monotonous, so my parents started this incredible tradition that you see in the picture above. Every year my parents and I get presents from our favorite celebrities, and sometimes I know by the celebrity what kind of present I am going to get. For example: every year I get a present from Colt McCoy so I can definitely expect something Burnt Orange (and I would not have that any other way). The open last gift is always the best and this year it is from my favorite celebrity Harry Styles with “See you in London”. I am hoping for something British for my upcoming trip to London =) I remember growing up with this tradition and tricking my friends into thinking I actually got these presents from the different celebrities by signing up on a website and sending these celebrities my wish list….I couldn’t resist. Anyways I cannot wait to see the name this year!

Whatever your traditions may be enjoy them and the excitement it brings to your family. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and thank the Lord for His precious gift.