some traditions are worth preserving....

I have put this Santa out since it was given to me when I was about 6 years old. Somewhere along the way he lost his hat. But he is charming just the same. Out of curiosity I went to EBAY and saw several Steiff Santas there. I wonder how many years they have been making this Santa. He is indeed a jolly fellow.

The holidays are filled with traditions in this family...one of them is all going together to pick out the Christmas tree. We got a beauty this year...can't wait to get the decorations on it. Thanks to Jesse's long arms, we were able to get this family tree shopping portrait.

Because of my English heritage, since I was a child I carried with me the European tradition of the Advent Calender. Veronica and I would trade days and open the chocolates behind each window. I loved how it counted down the days...I carried this tradition into the lives of my kids and we had an Advent Calender with small doors that opened to reveal a teeny ornament behind each day. Becca and Jesse would trade off days each morning in December.

Several years ago I created an Advent Calender with glass tags...and now I am the one counting down the days till Christmas morning... Here are the tags I made...25 of them in all...

I think it is traditions like these that keep the magic in Christmas... yes...some traditions are worth preserving....