Start Holiday Traditions

As I am looking around my house at our decorated tree and stockings I realize it is now my turn to start my own holiday traditions for my family.  When I was a little girl we had several traditions I have kept doing each year,this year is no exception. We still go to Opryland Hotel to look at the beautiful lights, sing Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve,and eat a piece of chocolate before breakfast on Christmas morning. This year,since it will be my son's first Christmas, I wanted to explore what holiday traditions I could start that he might look forward to every year(as I always did with the traditions my parents started). The first thing I want to get is The Elf on the Shelf $29.95. You simply read your child the book about how his elf will watch over him throughout the holidays and report to Santa in the North Pole each night.You register your elf online and give him a name. You move your elf each day so your child has something fun to look for each new day. It is meant to build excitement for Christmas and I'm very excited about it. Next I plan to make Candy Cane Sugar Cookies on Chrismas Eve to leave for Santa(the cookies might change from year to year!). This great recipe I found at Pottery Barn Kids makes it easy to create a fun and yummy treat with holiday cheer. While we are making things, I can't wait to build Cookie Cottages out of gramham crackers,icing,and candy. You can let the kids decorate however they choose and there is no baking! Lastly, I must continue the tradition of my childhood by reading The Night Before Christmas $7.47. Please share your holiday ideas and traditions with me by emailing me at belleswithbumps@gmail.com. Happy December!