December 4, 2017
Vest: Similar and Similar | Jeans: Express | Top: Express | Boots: Nordstrom | Earrings: Kendra Scott (perfect Christmas gift)
It has been a while since I have taken the time to sit down and write a full post. I have been so busy pumping out gift guides and sharing holiday sales! I want to share with you my family’s Christmas traditions, new and old.
These photos are little special to me. My mom was my photographer while I spent a week at home recently, and she did an amazing job. These were taken on my parents’ property in front of the house I grew up in (yes, my parents have a row of hay bales in front of their house lol). I love going home and spending time outside.
Thanksgiving
We typically have a big Thanksgiving feast at my parent’s or my Gran’s house. However, since my senior year of high school we have been attending the Longhorn Football game in Austin on Thanksgiving day (or the day after). We have had so much fun with this new tradition in my family. One year I was living in the sorority house, and we were lucky enough to use the kitchen to cook traditional Thanksgiving sides and eat in the large dining room with the house mother. It was an absolute blast. After dinner comes the tailgate, and we always do it big. There’s no shortage of good food and spirits! Later that night or the next evening my family likes to make an appropriate transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas by watching “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. I believe my entire family can recite every word of this movie. This tradition has been in the family as long as I can remember. Milton and I were in Galveston the day of Thanksgiving day this year, and kept the tradition going with just the two of us!
Christmas Eve
We attend the candle light service at my church. It is my favorite evening of the season! I plan my outfit in advance with my favorite holiday trends (probably velvet this year), and look forward to seeing familiar faces in my hometown. After the service we head to my God parent’s house for their Christmas Eve open house with wine and yummy snacks. We always head home in a timely manner for Santa, though! My Gran says, “Santa is real as long as you believe.”
Christmas Day
Have you heard “I’m only a morning person on Christmas”? Well that is so true for my brother (sorry Jared, but you know it). I’ve never known anyone else that can naturally sleep in until noon and then magically wake up at 6:00 am on Christmas morning. In more recent years, that time has gotten later and later. Once everyone is awake in the house we sit in the living room and open our stockings. My favorite gifts are always found in my stocking. I love tiny surprises! On Christmas morning my dad makes amazing breakfast casseroles and biscuits. After we’ve chowed down and poured mimosas we head back to the living room to pass out gifts. This next tradition might seem a little extra, but it is one of my favorites. Once all of the gifts are passed out we open them one by one so everyone can see what you got. I love this so much because I get so excited about giving gifts, and it is so fun for each family member to have a little spotlight on them while opening each present. It also requires a little patience, which gets easier with age. Christmas isn’t just about the gifts you receive, but the gifts you give and the smiles that come with it. Of course, all of this is done in festive pajamas! We don’t bother getting dressed until after the gifts are open…because what if I get a super cute sweater for Christmas!
Does your family have traditions that are special to you? This is my second Christmas with Milton since we’ve been married. We haven’t quite started our own traditions yet, but I know there will be many to come. Maybe next year we will decorate a palm tree instead of a Christmas tree.
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