But today, I'm here. Last time I posted about my new job. But I don't want to talk about that today. I want to talk to you all about Christmas traditions. I love spending time on Instagram and one of my blog friends that I also follow on Instagram is Veronica. She posted a picture with the hashtag #csadvent. I went to the hashtag and saw all the other pictures shared. This is were I got the inspiration to write on this topic.
I'm not going to tell you of my childhood traditions. I'm going to share how my childhood traditions became so much different after the birth of my daughter Marah.
I can't remember exactly when I first bought my Christmas tree after I got married. I do remember that I got it on sale at Kmart. That was more than 16 years ago. I got my first nativity set at Costco. I had that set for a long time too.
When my daughter was born, it was almost Christmas day. I remember that I had the Christmas tree up and the nativity set. I came out of the hospital on December 23rd. I spent Christmas Eve inside, while everyone else was outside celebrating.
On Christmas day, I opened up the gifts that she got for Christmas. I have a recording of this moments. I also have pictures.
So my daughter changed Christmas for me that year. And her birthday parties became a tradition for us around Christmas day. Her party decorations have always been shared with the traditional Christmas decor. Here is a picture of her, a year later near the Christmas tree.
This was always the place for our Christmas tree at our first house.
I never had a problem with any of my two kids around the Christmas tree. And all this years the same Nativity scene has been displayed near the Christmas tree.
2007 Our first Christmas in our current house.
The kids are decorating the same Christmas tree. I have always had an artificial tree. They last a long time and they are easy to store away. I have lots of ornaments in different colors. I like to choose a certain color each year. I have bows in red, burgundy, gold and pink. One year, I had blue and silver colors. Another year gold with red. Every year is different.
The Nativity scene is still the same. But this year, in 2007, I used a shelf on my TV cabinet as the manger. I placed moss on top the Creche with hot glue and is still there today.
This was the Christmas tree in 2012
We upgraded to a taller tree.
One of my dreams was to have a set of pilgrims, "peregrinos". Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem.
I like to put this one before the Nativity Scene during the traditional posadas.
Another tradition in our home is the outdoor Christmas lights.
My husband is the one to credit for that. Our house is one of the few houses on our block lighted up with lights.
I think last year, I had the Christmas tree up for a short time. I can't find any pictures of the Christmas tree from last year.
This year, I did not feel like taking out the Christmas tree. It seems to me like the year goes by so fast. I put up the decorations, take them off, store them, and next thing I know, its Christmas season again.
But my daughter wanted to put it up. So she brought down the boxes and decorated the tree all by herself.
She says that since she was born around Christmas day, that she likes everything to do with Christmas.
Remember I told you that her birthday celebrations are linked with Christmas.
The Christmas tree at church was decorated with colors that matched her dress.
What are your family's Christmas traditions?