From the Publisher – My Favorite Christmas Tradition
One fun aspect of parenting is upholding and creating traditions for your kids, and that’s especially true during the holiday season. When my husband and I had children, it dawned on us that making the season magical for our kids was entirely our responsibility. We had both grown up with varying traditions at home with our parents and siblings, but now it was time to combine, condense and revise them to fit our own little family unit.
And what fun that was! We got to toss out the ones that didn’t make sense for us (so long, orange in the stocking) and create new ones (hello, Christmas Eve breakfast-for-dinner).
We recently asked our Facebook and Instagram followers what their favorite holiday traditions are, which made me think about my own favorite.
On Christmas morning, after we’re done opening gifts, tissue paper and bits of wrapping paper litter the floor, and the kids have gorged on their first round of Christmas candy, that’s my moment: I head to the kitchen and make Christmas breakfast. On Christmas Day, it’s not a chore. It’s a respite from the chaos that Christmas morning brings. Several days before, I ask my family what kinds of treats they want for breakfast that day. It’s never the same from year to year, but there are a few standards: bacon (of course), eggs and plenty of coffee for the grownups.
It’s not fancy, but it’s leisurely. By the time everything is cooked, everyone is ready for real food that doesn’t have a candy shell. The four of us eat together and enjoy each other’s company before it’s time to head out to visit family. It’s a simple tradition, but I love it.
Having a family just makes the holidays more fun. In this issue, you’ll find plenty of ideas for family fun—holiday events in our area, budget-friendly holiday traditions, a scrumptious pecan crust pumpkin pie recipe, and more. However you choose to celebrate, I hope you and your family can find joy in the small pleasures this season brings. Sometimes simply being together is the greatest gift of all.
-Traci
