When I think of Christmas time, it's hard not to think of the different traditions handed down for generations in each family. Maybe as a child you helped bake plates of cookies that were given out as gifts to friends and family? Maybe you were part of a group of carolers who "toured" locally in the weeks prior to Christmas Eve. Maybe it's the memory of a certain food you'd eat only during the holidays, or a cherished tradition your family passes down from generation to generation; like opening the contents of your stocking on Christmas Eve, or playing games.
My son is almost 17 years old and no longer believes in the magic of Santa. He hasn't done for a few years now. That doesn't stop me from continuing with some old family traditions. Like putting up the Christmas tree (albeit not a real one) on December 1st. Having my son put the topper on the tree. Baking sweet treats to give as gifts to friends and family. Hanging paper chains from the ceiling. Opening one present on Christmas Eve (usually something small). Putting a satsuma in each stocking (I love satsumas).
As a child I used to go carol singing and attend midnight mass. I remember the feast afterwards. The smells, the sights and sounds of all those people. I remember our big family Christmas dinners and the white snowman that my Grandma had. It
had small gifts for each member of the family inside. You took off his hat and took one like a lucky dip. I remember school plays and singing in the village hall at the Christmas fair.
I was blessed with growing up in a house with a chimeny and real coal fire. I remember sitting in front of it drinking ovaltine in my pyjamas and dressing gown, before leaving out a mince pie and some milk for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph on Christmas Eve.
So many traditions are still carried out today - writing a letter to Santa, visiting a Santa's Grotto (usually in the local shopping centre), leaving out treats for Santa and his reindeer and so many more. But alongside the old traditions, there are some new ones creeping through.
Elf on a shelf - A children's picture book that comes with a small soft toy in the form of a pixie scout elf to keep a watchful eye on the children and make sure they belong on Santa's "nice" list.
There are rules to the elf's stay inside your home. He or she (they come in different sexes and skin colors) maintain a distance and provide a watchful eye for Santa. Children are not allowed to touch the elf or she will lose her magic. Secondly, the elf must never move or speak when people are home or awake, but can "move" from place to place when no one is around. The story ends on Christmas Day with the elf leaving to stay with Santa for the rest of the year until the following Christmas season.
I've not had any experiences with EOAS myself and quite frankly, I find the elf quite creepy.
Another tradition I'm seeing more of this season are Christmas Eve boxes. I love this idea. Unfortunately though, having a non-believer teenage son - it's not so easy to spread the magic.So, my crafty little mind is trying to come up with a less "kiddy" style Christmas Eve box and more of a "grown up" styled one.
The Christmas activities book and cutesy Christmas films won't really cut it. The hot chocolate will stay (he loves his hot chocolate), and I might try a fun little game.. we shall see!
Another tradition, this one is especially for children who live in homes without a chimney, are magic Santa keys. There are variations out there though. Some are general keys that just let Santa in., keys to get in because there's no chimney and others are keys for children who have just moved home or move home before the holidays. Those ones beep - but only Santa can hear the beeping - the "beeping" lets him know where your new house is.
As I said, when I was a child, we had a real coal fire. The house I live in now has no chimney and whether my son is a believer or not, I'll still be leaving out our own magic key for Santa on Christmas Eve.
This is our magic Santa key:
The key, I bought a while back - but you could use any old key, or even glam up a more modern key by coating it in glue and dipping it in glitter. The mod podge and wine glass glitter method would also work (obviously excahnge the glass for the key). There are plenty of tutorials on youtube etc
The tag I made myself and printed it out on regular card stock. I then punched a hole in it and threaded ribbon through the hole and attached it to the key.
There are plenty of versions out there, this one just happens to be mine. The tags can be glitzed up, decorated or even "aged" with distress ink or cold tea/coffee. The possibilities are only limited to your own imagination.
The tags are available to download in a .pdf file. You will need a pdf file reader to view it. Included are 10 tags with the poem and 10 tags that are blank so can be used as gift tags or whatever else you fancy. I've also included 4 large blank tags and 4 large tags with text.
Click on the download button to get the PDF file. Clicking the download button will open another window/tab. Most browsers will download it automatically.
Any problems, please let me know!
