Hi Friends,
Christmas is almost here, and I have yet to set up the Christmas tree. (I have a mini one that I bought last minute last year.) We wanted to get a bigger tree, but our place is kind of small, and our dog’s crate is taking up the perfect spot.
What a year we are going through—literally going through it! We’ve been struggling to save money, losing family members, traveling, dealing with drama, getting enraged over things, applying for new jobs, and just trying to figure everything out.
This Christmas feels like another new beginning. I’m trying to figure out a good way to spend the holidays with the people you love without feeling like you have to show off, listen to the drama, or worry about who you “should” spend the holidays with.
I would like to start a new tradition that helps us actually enjoy the holidays without trying to decide whether we need to spend money on gas or Christmas presents. (Of course, it doesn’t help that my birthday is the eve of almost every holiday! 😂)
Some families have cookie bake-offs, gingerbread house contests, trivia, movie nights, and so many other traditions.
I’m not counting game nights or something that is already a planned event or hobby that can simply be Christmas-themed. I’m talking about creating a tradition that everyone looks forward to and remembers.
Like, “OMG, it’s the Kardashian Christmas Party!”
Or, “Wow, your holiday party is so well-known that the grandkids still talk about it!”
LOL. It might sound a little extra, but I think you know what I mean, right?
Christmas Gifts Are Getting Harder
So far, we’ve gotten everyone’s gifts for this year. We made sure to get them early enough, and honestly, it was a little hard because my fiancé’s Nana would usually help us buy gifts and wrap them for us.
I’ve also noticed that gift-giving is getting more interesting. Sometimes it’s something you need, and other times it’s something you really wanted. It can be harder to shop for people because we don’t always know what they need or want.
So, we end up texting other family members and asking, “What do they want?” Then we have to try to find it while staying within our budget.
For some of my friends, I like making gift baskets. I’ll put together things like different scents, candles, lotions, and maybe one or two things they specifically wanted from their list.
With family, it gets a little harder because we can’t all be in the same house. Then, with my fiancé and his family, we’re also trying to balance everyone’s schedules and traditions.
Which brings me to another question:
What do you do when you have multiple family Christmases to attend?
In my case, I work during the holidays, while some family members have an entire week off. So, finding a day and time that works for everyone can be difficult.
It can also be annoying when I hear jokes like, “You’re only here for Thanksgiving and Christmas!”
But sometimes we weren’t even invited to the other family gatherings. 😅
Some of my family would love for us to go up north, while his family would love for us to go west.
And honestly, I know our current house is too small for a huge family gathering, but I’ve always dreamed of having a big house where family and friends could all gather under one roof for the holidays.
Family Comes First
I may not be a huge fan of the Kardashians, but I do love how they seem to prioritize family. Family comes first.
They have such a big family, while for me, it’s really just my mom and me. My fiancé has a decent-sized family, but growing up, it was usually just him and his Nana.
I’m used to having a cute, small Latina Christmas with my mom. We would go to midnight Christmas Mass and then have dinner afterward.
After my dad passed away, my mom tried to give me a mix of both Christmas styles—the traditional American Christmas and our Latina Christmas traditions.
Now that I’m older, she prefers a smaller and more intimate Christmas.
My fiancé grew up with his Nana, and they would usually have lunch and open presents together.
This Christmas is a little different because his cousin gave birth to a baby boy. So now we have a Christmas baby in the family!
And then there’s me, the Christmas Eve Eve baby. 😂
Christmas With Friends
Christmas with friends is a little different.
We either combine it with game night, or we just go over to each other’s houses to drop off gifts and packages.
There’s something nice about having those smaller celebrations, too. They may not be elaborate, but they still give us a chance to spend time together during a busy season.
Creating a New Tradition
As for traditions, I would really like to start one and try to make it last forever.
I know some families have bake-offs, Christmas games, movie nights, gingerbread house competitions, ugly sweater parties, and other fun traditions.
But I want to create something that becomes our thing.
Something that people look forward to every year.
Something that our future kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, friends, and family can talk about years later.
Maybe it sounds a little extra, but I think the holidays should be about creating memories—not competing over who has the biggest house, the most expensive gifts, or the most elaborate Christmas.
I want something that brings everyone together and reminds us that family and friends are what really matter.
So, I want to hear from you!
What are your Christmas traditions?
Do you have a family tradition that has been passed down for generations, or did you create your own?
And what kind of gifts do you usually give your family and/or friends?
I’d love to hear your ideas because I’m ready to start a new Christmas tradition of our own! 🎄❤️
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