Traditionally Traditional Family Traditions

Gone are the long hot days of summer fun in the middle of August.  School is back in session.  Team players are returning to the fields under Friday night lights. School buses scatter the small town with awaiting children on every corner.  With the welcomed return of fall also returns many family traditions.  They start in October with moms whipping out the warm colors of gold, red, orange, and yellow.  The sweet smell of pumpkin and cinnamon fill the air in almost every home.  Soon after Thanksgiving the Christmas decor makes it into homes everywhere. The warm pumpkin and cinnamon is replaced by an alluring mint and pine.  Shades of green and red deck every wall.  The last three months of the year, in my opinion, are the best part every year.

I don't take change well, never have.  I am what I call "traditionally tranditional". I love the holidays and all that it brings.  I especially love Christmas tranditions.  A few of the Christmas traditions our family has are:

• Everyone opens up two gifts on Christmas Eve.  They are ALWAYS new pajamas and slippers.  This is so mom always has great morning pictures.  We've done it since our first daughter was born over nine years ago.
• We always have our letters to Santa written by December 15th.  We then seal them and put them in a decorated Christmas mailbox that's located by the tree.  One of Santa's elves swing by and pick it up to ensure timely delivery.
• Although my family would like it if holiday music and movies didn't show up till December 1st or later, I am slightly unhinged and start making them watch it with me usually in the beginning of November. I firmly feel there are too many holiday films and just not enough time to watch it before Christmas gets here.
• Our Girl Scout troop participates in the Operation Christmas Child each year.  Our girls put a box together to donate toward this cause.
• Holiday Baking.  Need I say more?  Always a mom and daughter activity.  The girls love to help package it up for our close friends.
• Grandparents will be ginea pigs for our newest holiday trandition.  We'll save that post for another day.  Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise before it gets here.

With all that being shared and said, I encourage you to find new traditions for you and your family to follow.  You never know which ones your children will pass down to their children.  Holiday portraits are great first start.  Be sure to check out our current specials on Holiday Sessions.