So .... this is the first Christmas where I have sort of felt blah about Christmas. Not that I don't have the spirit of Christmas (because really I have longed to do something for someone for Christmas), but I have just felt like it doesn't really feel like Christmas. I think the reason is because we don't really have any solid traditions that can help it feel more like Christmas. We haven't really had our own family Christmas since we've been married. Our first Christmas we were still newly married so we kind of just did whatever and then ever since we've been with family so we've kind of just did what they did.
So this year we haven't listened much to Christmas music, we didn't decorate a tree or really decorate at all. We pulled out the nativity and our garland. That was it. I really want to start some traditions but I dunno what. We're still kind of stuck at how to mesh our original family traditions into our lives while creating new ones. Sadly, Christmas is now less than a week away too and we don't even know what we're doing for a Christmas dinner. Life is too crazy. And we still can't decided when to even open presents because our families did it so differently. So really this post is to ask those that read this ... what are your traditions? Or how, after you were married, create or bring old family traditions into your new marriage? Because really I NEED something to help it feel more like Christmas!
Erin - Traditions, especially the melding of traditions from 2 different families, takes time and trial and error. Greg and I have been married for 13 years and we're still trying to figure it out. Discuss what you loved most about your family traditions and keep those for sure. If they're contradictory then toss them and figure out something together. And don't stress. As you have kids grow up they kind of bring the traditions out too. Do what makes your family feel closer together and merry! That's really what the traditions are about. And for heavens sake put up a tree and twinkle lights, drink some eggnog and kick back with your favorite Christmas movie. It's never too late! (Stacey)
ReplyDelete