Charlie over 7 years ago by Liz Adams

Starting New Holiday Traditions

(his little hands in his pockets!!!)

Charlie’s outfit:
Striped Flannel Shirt, Fuzzy Camo Vest, Cargo Joggers, Sherpa High Top Sneakers, Speckle Scarf c/o Gymboree

Now that I have my own family, I’m realizing the importance of starting holiday traditions for my children. My fondest memories are spending Thanksgiving at my grandmother’s house in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere in Kansas or sitting on the stairs with my siblings on Christmas morning waiting to run down and see what Santa brought for us. Memories of being with the ones you love and celebrating the magic of the season.

This time of year is even more magical with Charlie. Watching his face light up when he sees holiday lights or seeing his excitement for a Christmas tree. It reminds you of how amazing it was to experience the holidays as a kid. It’s a feeling I wish I could bottle up year round! I’m especially excited for the holidays this year because I know that Charlie will actually have an understanding of what is going on. Whether it is baking cookies, making a gingerbread house, dancing to Christmas music, driving around to see our neighbor’s decorations or sipping hot chocolate by the fire – everything is going to feel that much more special experiencing it through his eyes. It’s the first year where I feel like our own family traditions will start to become memories for Charlie and I can’t wait for that. 

Since moving to the suburbs, we have been on a mission to explore all of the pretty places around us. Last weekend we visited Graue Mill to take in the fall foliage before it was gone. I bundled up Charlie in the cutest outfit from Gymboree which was perfect for the cooler temperatures. His little scarf, camouflage vest and leather high top sneakers kind of kill me. I’m always looking for cute winter outfits and Gymboree is filled with the most adorable separates for now through the holidays. His little flannel shirt would make the perfect Thanksgiving outfit (it is crazy soft) and I love that it is understated enough for the entire season of holiday festivities. I also picked up this cute Santa Bear sweater for a Christmas brunch with Santa! 

Seasoned mamas, what are your favorite holiday traditions to do with your kiddos? It is the best time to be a kid and I want to make sure Charlie enjoys it to the fullest!

In collaboration with Gymboree, all opinions are my own!

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  1. Oh my gosh, these pictures are too cute! Charlie looks so adorable with his little hands in his pockets and I love your boots, coat, and hat! Can’t wait to see what traditions you start! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Hope | http://passthecookies.com

  2. I love driving around to look at Christmas lights with our babe and the local Santa Claus parade (which happens at night – so fun)! Last year she was 1.5 so she was SO excited to see everything! I can only imagine the magic will build this year. For me it’s watching It’s s Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve and Christmas Vacation on Christmas too ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. I’m not sure if you ever read Shay Shull’s blog, but she always writes about her tradition of going into Starbucks or wherever to get coffee/cocoa in your jammies and then driving around and looking at Christmas lights. So fun! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Adorable pictures of you and Charlie. I always have gotten a ton of clothes for my son and daughter from Gymboree. They have always been my go-to store for holiday outfits!
    As for traditions ….we always get a pair of matching pajamas for the whole family (from St Nick) and then wear them Christmas morning opening gifts. As my kids have gotten older, we have also enjoyed watching Christmas movies together …cuddling by the fire.

  5. So funny you noted middle of no where Kansas!! Both sets of my grandparents live in the middle of no where Kansas. I never feel like people get the magic about that place, but you do!

  6. So cute!! I love all of our family traditions and can’t wait to pass them along when my husband and I start a family (we just got married in September)! Also – where in Kansas, my grandparents live in the middle of nowhere Kansas as well haha ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Iโ€™m not a parent yet, but I have a much, much younger half-sister who is still little. My step-mom and I started taking her to the Nutcracker when she was old enough to sit still and not fuss (I believe she was nearly 4). We order champagne and cheese plates to the box for the adults and sparkling apple juice and fun cookies for my sister- she has a blast every year. We havenโ€™t missed a year as a family since I was about 8 (so coming up on 20 years soon!) My family isnโ€™t religious, but we do go to a very chilled out church on Christmas Eve that has all the children bring forward gifts for other less fortunate kids. Itโ€™s a really nice reminder of what the holidays are about. Apart from that, she just loves baking cookies and decorating the tree with. The tree has been a sister project for as long as sheโ€™s been around and I love that. We donโ€™t have any other family in the US, so the traditions are all ones that we can bring with us (with a few tweaks) when we spend the holidays in Ireland with extended family every few years.

  8. I have 2 kids, 6 and 2 yrs old. One thing I remember doing as a kid was to buy my sibling a xmas gift that I picked out. This year we’ll be taking the kids to the store and they can each pick out something to give the other person and have them help me wrap it. My 2 yr old will probably pick out Annies cheddar bunnies but it’s the thought that counts right?! When they get older I plan on making them spend some of the money they’ve saved from their allowance to buy the xmas gift. Hopefully it will help them appreciate the gift their sibling picks out and teaches fhem the value of money!

  9. Hi Liz! Would you mind doing an update on Christmas traditions for your boys? My boys are 1 and 2 years old, and they are at the age where we can begin traditions. Thanks!