Traditions, Songs and Gifts

Karen at Cheerful Thoughts posted some of their Christmas traditions. She asked us to share some of ours, so I thought I would post them here.

*Christmas tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving and it's taken down Jan. 2nd
*Jeremy & I watch Sabrina while decorating (started on our second Christmas)
*Driving around looking at Christmas lights is one of our favorite past time
*Christmas crafts with the boys (easy ones, I am craft challenged - right Karen?)

*Reading Christmas books with the boys

*Rudolph ,Charlie Brown, Polar Express, Santa Clause 1-3, Miracle 34 new & old

*Making food gifts for neighbors and friends
*Birthday Party for Jesus on Christmas Eve
*Eating Sausage Balls while opening gifts Christmas morning
*Taking turns opening gifts so we can watch what everyone receives
*Reading Luke 2 before opening gifts

At Rocks in My Dryer,she shares a tradition called Jesse's Tree (Isaiah 11:1-2), that we are going to start next year. To learn more about this tradition, click on the link, she has three posts on the subject.

Like making cute Christmas crafts with your kids? Jenn at Ramblings of a Crazy Woman has tons of great & easy ideas!

At Side Order of Life, Tamora has a wonderful idea for a new tradition. When you mail your Christmas cards, why not send a card to a recovering American Solider? Go to her site and you will see the address where to send the card. I am going to add one to my Christmas card list.

I love, love, love Christmas music! Here are some of my favorite songs (in no particular order).

*Heirlooms~ Amy Grant

*(It must've been ol') Santa Clause ~ Harry Connick Jr.

*O Come, O Come Emmanuel ~ Steven Curtis Chapman

*Joseph's Lullaby ~ Mercy Me

*Grown Up Christmas List ~ Amy Grant

*Going Home for Christmas~ Steven Curtis Chapman

*Believe ~ Josh Groban

*Strange Way to Save the World ~ 4Him

*Welcome to our World ~ Chris Rice

*I Believe ~ Natalie Grant

*We are the Reason~ Avalon

*Christmas is all in the Heart ~ Steven Curtis Chapman

*Santa Claus is coming to Town~ Mariah Carrey

Over at Sweet Tea Please, Leah shared about Pandora radio. It is a free radio where you can make your own stations. I am listening to Christmas music right now.

Here are a couple of gift ideas (I will post more as I find them).

Need some food gift ideas? Paula Deen has four great ideas at the Food Network site. I am making her English Toffee this year. You can also go here for an easy fudge recipe.

Editor's note Friday Dec. 7th: If you have not been to Ree's recipe blog The Pioneer Woman Cooks this morning you need to check out her no fuss Sugar cookies. I have never seen them decorated this way - looking forward to making a batch soon. These too, would make a great food gift!

Have you ever had Dale and Thomas popcorn? Jeremy and I buy some every time we are in NYC. So good!! Dale and Thomas Popcorn will let you order their popcorn now and you tell them when to ship it. They are also offering free shipping until mid-night Sunday, December 9th. The code is E12X6S4T. Their sampler packs would be great to break up for teacher gifts.

This is not food related, but I think a great gift for moms. Karla, at Looking Toward Heaven has a company called Fruition Designs. How many times have you needed to give another mom your information and not had paper or pen? The mommy card handles that for you! Parent.com agrees because they put it on their 2007 Holiday Pick List. Fruition Designs is having a sale on the Mommy cards (lots of designs to choose from) and offering free shipping through the end of December. Hey Jeremy - are you listening (hint, hint)?

So now it is your turn. I would love to hear some of your Christmas traditions, favorite songs, or food or regular gift ideas!! Leave me a comment or post them on your blog.