I love the holidays

There is nothing better than visiting family, eating till you can’t move, laughing, dancing and sleeping in. At least it’s like that with my family over the holidays.

Natasha Colbaugh

Buy this photo

But now Thanksgiving is over and all my relatives celebrate Christmas individually, hundreds of miles away. Since I have a child, traveling is the last thing I want to do on Christmas Day.

Before Scott and I had a baby, we could hop in the car and leave. Go anywhere for the holidays, the coast of North Carolina or a day in Atlanta. But with a baby, it is not simple. I have to have blankets, changes of clothes, diapers, wipes and the list goes on. The snacks alone take serious planning.

So my little family will have to start making our own traditions. Staying home for Christmas will have to be one of the sacrifices we make to create those memories. It’s not as though we don’t like spending time together. We have the best times when it’s just us three at home. But I guess we are used to being entertained by others during the holidays and don’t yet know the ropes.

This is where new families take from their own childhood memories and start creating their own versions. Christmas Eve we opened one gift, and Christmas morning would start slow and have a big finale. There were tangerines and Hershey kisses in the stockings that had our names glued on with glitter.

Decorating the Christmas tree, hanging lights, even building a gingerbread house, are some of the traditions I need to start planning.

This weekend I am going to get a Christmas tree. I am not sure how the decorating is going to go with Lucas being very curious about things. We will decorate the tree and hang the stockings. Once those things are done maybe it will kick start my creative nature and more traditions will follow.

I hope everyone has a wonderful December, and remember it’s never too late to create a joyful memory.