I'm at my parents' house for a few days to celebrate Christmas and I'm looking forward to a few family traditions that we do every year. When I was growing up, I always thought that everyone did the same things that we did, but now I know and appreciate that every family has their own special traditions or maybe they don't have any at all! I'm thankful for these little things that I get to do each year with my family.

CHRISTMAS WEEK:

Looking at Christmas Lights: we always drive around town and look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music. Now this is even one of my favorite things to do with friends in Dallas! 

Christmas Shopping (late!): We usually procrastinate and don't finish our shopping until the week before Christmas and this year was no different. We just got home from the mall! 

Hot Chocolate: I don't know if this really counts as a tradition, but it's definitely something I do almost every night during December! 

Christmas Movies: I'm watching a cheesy Hallmark movie while I write this post- it's so terrible that it's good. 

Bake Christmas Cookies: The week leading up to Christmas, my mom and I always bake sugar cookies and frost them. I try to make them pretty, but my brother and dad eat them so fast it doesn't matter.

CHRISTMAS EVE:

We open one of our presents on Christmas Eve- usually Christmas pajamas. I can't wait for my new PJs this year! 

CHRISTMAS MORNING: 

Every year is the same: we sit in front of the Christmas tree and wait for my dad to work his way out to the living room. Once we are all there, my dad reads the Christmas story about the birth of Jesus. After that, we open presents one at a time until they're all gone, then we open our stockings. 

I hope have a very Merry Christmas this weekend! I'll be taking a few days off to enjoy time at home with my family, and I hope you are able to do the same!