During the frenzy of each holiday season, my mom, sisters and I ask each other how can we simplify the holidays? We recently switched to a cousin grab bag instead of separate presents and celebrate the weekend before Christmas. As our kids get older while they may remember that one special present on Christmas morning, our family holiday traditions and outings create lasting memories.
Sharing some of our holiday family traditions
Kick off the Christmas holiday season on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum. Bundle up, enjoy hot cocoa and adult beverages, warm up by the firepits, get ready to be amazed by the light show and leave in the holiday spirit.
Holiday family movie night. Usually, by the 1st or 2nd weekend in December, we’re ready for a quiet family night at home to make a pizza, drink wine (me), build a fire (Mike) and watch a Christmas movie. Elf is our favorite.
Family Night to Chicago. Although this has been a bit inconsistent, we hope to make a family night to Chicago during the holiday season an annual outing. We started this tradition when the kids were little with an overnight downtown. We bundled them up in the stroller and braved the crowds to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, swam in the pool at the Sheraton Grand and had breakfast the next morning at the American Girl Café. A few years later we went ice skating at the Skating Ribbon and played at the Maggie Daley Park As part of our gift to the kids this year, we had dinner at the Atwood Café and saw Hamilton which was unbelievable.
ChoreMonster gifts– Many friends have echoed the same sentiment that the kids just want to open presents on Christmas morning but don’t need anything, especially toys! Our kids previously logged in their daily chores on the ChoreMonster app to earn their allowance and the chore monster” gave them Christmas gifts to help with their chores (Hugh got a Shark vacuum, Fiona got measuring cups, and Lucy got juice glasses). We’re hoping to update our kitchen in 2019 and ChoreMonster gave everyone something to inspire more activity in our kitchen (baking pans, white bowls, frying pans, griddle). A cute black and white Crate and Barrel box to open + practical gift = win-win!
Family winter getaway – We used to go away to Lake Lawn Lodge, Wisconsin for a few days between Christmas and New Years which always helped to defray the letdown of the holidays being over. When our kids were little, we’ve continued the tradition of a Wisconsin getaway to the Osthoff Resort, Grand Geneva and TimberRidge Lodge & Waterpark. The kids learned to ski on these trips and a few years ago we took our first family ski vacation to Whistler, BC Canada which is becoming our favorite ski destination. We love to travel the week between Christmas and New Years because the kids are on break from school and activities and both of our jobs slow down during this time.
traditions I hope to try next holiday season
Christmas cookie exchange with my girls and friends and cousins – I remember the morning after my mom’s neighbor cookie exchange and sneaking a cookie from that delicious plate of homemade goodies. I’d love to bake next year with my kids, socialize with friends/cousins at the exchange and come home with a plate of goodies.
Bake Christmas treats for teachers, colleagues and family/friends – My cousin, Kristen, often makes something so cute and clever for her neighbors, colleagues and her kids’ teachers – homemade jam, holiday check mix, reindeer food. What great quality time with your kids while reinforcing the true meaning of Christmas.
What are your family holiday traditions?
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