In my early motherhood days, which was truly before social media was what it is today (bless!), I remember being mesmerized by beautiful holiday magazines from Martha Stewart and Southern Living. I’d often think, “some day….” Fast forward to 2024 and while Joanna Gaines can still dazzle us in paper form, there is no shortage of holiday inspiration in our faces all day long with social media in all its forms. However, I have noticed in more recent years, that while I appreciate the beauty and art that some are able to visually create in the holiday season, I am more and more drawn to the simple traditions that are familiar to me. As the girls grow older I also think about the things they will carry with them into their adult lives and families. These are the things I lean into and now hear them fondly talk about when the advent season arrives.

Christmas Movie Nights

We are not the Hallmark movie types. Kimberly is and I love her for it. We may watch one for the giggles each Christmas season but one is really all we can do. We have a tradition in our family of putting up the tree and Christmas decor the weekend after Thanksgiving. This always follows with a Christmas movie and popcorn with M&M’s. Its so fun to hear the girls discuss which movie they want to watch and what they have grown fond of. Here are a few of our must see Christmas movies:

-White Christmas – I grew up on this and my girls have all grown to love it so much as well. Its old and in truth I don’t always love old movies but I LOVE this one. The singing, the dancing, the characters. It gets a 10/10 in this house.

-Elf – need I say more. There are certain scenes that will always make me giggle even after seeing it so many times. A true Christmas classic for us.

-Representing the 90’s….Home Alone and Sleepless in Seattle are both certain to be watched in our house. I deeply love both of these movies and my kids also do too.

-For the adults/older kids…The Family Stone. This feels controversial to add in here because people seem to have big feelings about it. I happen to love it and watch it at some point each year. Often times on Christmas eve after the stockings are stuffed and the kids are asleep.

Christmas Baking

I come from a long line of really good cooks on both sides of the family, which means recipes. Many family recipes which come with memories. I don’t know if I will ever cook as well as my grandmothers or my mom but I’m thankful for the traditions they’ve passed down in food.

My maternal great grandparents immigrated from Hungry so we are lucky enough to have some traditions from that side of the family. Every year my kids really look forward to making Kifflies. Traditionally these are either a nut or apricot filling but we love it make them with a raspberry filling. They are best fresh and just the best of pastry meets cookie. It would not be Christmas without them.

Another holiday food treat we make every year is home made salted caramels. The girls and I love to make them and it becomes a kitchen table assembly line to get them all wrapped up and ready to gift. Christmas music is a must.

Christmas Eve traditions

The mamas are the magic makers of the season. Advent books bought, favorite movies rented, baking traditions accounted for, gifts bought and wrapped, we could go on. Several years ago I made it all the way to Christmas eve with all my ducks in a row. We went to our Christmas even candlelight service at church and once it ended we were all starving. It quickly became obvious that I had forgotten something. We had no food to eat for Christmas eve dinner because literally everything in my fridge had a purpose and plan for Christmas day. We laughed and panicked and the only thing open was a Chinese food restaurant. Thus began a new tradition and the girls and I still get a laugh about it to this day.

The Christmas Outing

This is a more recent tradition but one the girls and I have quickly adopted and grown to love. As they’ve grown older, the Christmas lists are shorter and they really love their stockings the most. Last year, I asked them if they would prefer gifts or an experience and they quickly said an experience. I surprised them with something new to wear, we went to a nice restaurant in the big city and to see the lights at the botanical gardens. They loved it so much, they voted to do it again this year and we can’t wait. I have so much fun planning it and they love the element of surprise. So many fun memories are being made in these big kid years and that makes me so happy.

Its so easy to feel the urge to do more, or compare or feel the panic that you have not done enough. Be assured mamas, you are making sweet memories in the smallest ways throughout the holiday season. As a mom of big kids, I am finding that its the beautifully simple things that end up finding a place in our kids hearts. These are the traditions they will carry forward with them into their lives and someday, families. Rest easy magic makers, the beauty is in the small things.

Hugs

Sarah