Christmas Traditions going forward

 As much as I love Christmas and this festive holiday time of year, I realized recently that I have very few Christmas traditions.  There are very few traditions that I do each year.  And these usually consist of decorating the tree and the house, writing Christmas cards and listening to Christmas music.  I love these traditions and have no intention of stopping them any time soon.  But I would like to start to add some traditions to my Christmas.  I'm not very good at scheduling things to do for myself, so once I get to the Christmas season, I just have not made the time to do the things I would like to do. I think that if I had children or family (real and of choice) nearby and wasn't single then I would probably have a more structured schedule of holiday fun.  So, next year, I just need to do it for myself.  There is nothing wrong that having a tradition or two just for me.  And if someone wants to join in, that would be great!

Here are a few things I would love to start doing:

1. Ornament/Cookie exchange party

I think that this would be fun.  I have never been to one before and it sounds like it would be a nice way to start off the holidays.

2. Filling Stockings

While my family and I do stocking stuffers when we get together for Christmas, it's not the same as filling up stockings that are hanging in anticipation of Santa.  This will require having people in my life that would enjoy it and maybe a Christmas Day meal to have people together.

3. Driving around looking at Christmas lights

We used to do this every year when I was growing up, and it was always a magical car ride to me. I remember especially driving through Rolling Hills and down Church Street in the historical district.  There was a house on the street behind where Grandmother lived that had lights everywhere and we always went to look at it.  It would be fun to take an evening to put some Christmas music on the radio and drive around with friends and enjoying the seasonal decorations.

4. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

This was a staple of my time in Monroe, NC. It was always such a special service and I have not been to one in years.  I need to find a church home though because I don't want to be that person that only shows up at Christmas and Easter.  The last one I went to was at FBC in Monroe about 20 years ago.  They did communion, which was totally new to me at these services, and after 30 minutes of watching people take communion...row by row...I left early and missed the candlelight portion.  Oh well. 

5. Caroling

Almost no one goes caroling anymore...at least not like they used to.  And I can't really say that I blame them with the way people are these days.  Still, I think it would be fun to do and revive this Christmas tradition.

6. Advent Calendar

I want to start doing an Advent calendar each year.  When I was young, our cousin Bernie sent us one that we used for several years.  It was a picture of the manger and I loved it.  These days there are all sorts of advent calendars out there and it would be fun to start doing them each year.

7.  Lessons and Carols Service

I would love to find this service to go to each year.  I know that they're out there, I just need to seek them out and get my behind there because I know I would love it.  I have seen them on tv and would love to take part in one live.

8. The Nutcracker

I have not seen The Nutcracker live since 1985. It's a holiday tradition that is still going strong.  Here in Greensboro there are multiple productions to go and see.  It's just so dang expensive.  I'm going to need to start saving in the summer months to get tickets.  And, also, this would be something I would enjoy doing with someone else.

9.  Christmas Books

I would like to pick out a different Christmas book to read each year.  Either something new to revisit a classic or a favorite that I have already read.  This is something that I know I can do I just need to plan better.  I have so many Christmas books that I have not read....go figure

These are just a few things I would like to begin doing during the holidays.  This list will give me something to look forward to next year!  Care to join me?