Christmas Morning Traditions

Can you believe Christmas is next week? We’ve been busy prepping and finishing up the holiday shopping. I think the shopping is done now, but I need to sit down and wrap this weekend! I gave up on adding any more ornaments to the tree this year. Owen really loves the tree and all of ornaments, but I love them in the sense that I don’t want them broken, so the rest will stay in the box this year. I’m so excited to see all of those wrapped presents under the tree Christmas morning!

Today I want to share some of our Christmas morning traditions with you.

My favorite memories from my childhood are when my parents were still together, so those are what I like to carry on with my own family now. On Christmas morning, we ran downstairs and tore into our stockings. That was the only thing we were allowed to open before our grandparents arrived. Yes, both sets of grandparents came to my house when I was little to watch us open our presents and experience all of that magic that comes with Christmas morning.

Once everyone was there, we ate breakfast and then the gifts were passed out. My father set-up the monster of a video camcorder on a tripod so that everything was recorded and we could have at it. I think Charlie’s about the age now that he would be entertained by watching some of the old home movies. I’ll have to pull one out soon when we’re at my mom’s. Anyway… after all of the presents were opened, the grandparents retreated to their respective houses and we got ready for the rest of our day, which of course included visiting at both sets of grandparents houses later in the day (and food at both, too)!

We don’t have too many places in our small house to decorate, but I love displaying what we have. I like using the windowsill and the top of some of our bookshelves. How cute is that canvas handprint tree on my windowsill? The boys made it last year.

Let’s skip ahead to 2011 for Charlie’s 1st Christmas. He was 7 months old and my mom said she was coming over. I don’t think she really asked, but I would have invited her to come over either way. To make sure my in-laws didn’t feel excluded, we invited them over as well. To me, that’s completely normal because like I said, growing up, both sets of grandparents came to our house Christmas morning. That first year, both grandparents came to watch Charlie open his presents.

Since then, it’s just been my mom’s side that comes over Christmas morning. My in-laws feel Christmas morning is something personal and I think they feel a little weird being here for it. So, we’ve made it clear that they’re always welcome to join us Christmas morning, but our feelings are not hurt if they don’t come over.

Christmas morning with two very active little boys is going to be crazy this year. The past two years, I nursed Owen in bed before we even came downstairs. We made Charlie stay upstairs with us until my mom got to our house because I didn’t want him to see all of the presents out (Santa doesn’t wrap the large items that get put together ahead of time). This year, it’ll be hard to keep them upstairs, so Mom and her husband better get here early!

I prep my Spam, Taters and Eggs Christmas Eve so all I have to do is toss everything in the electric skillet and I don’t need to worry about it. I run downstairs to get it started ahead of time while the boys are still sleeping. This is absolutely my favorite breakfast and I love digging into a bowl Christmas morning while watching the boys tear into their presents.

While it’s my favorite, it’s not for everyone. Neither my mother or step-father eat eggs, so having something on hand for them is always nice. I grabbed some muffins and danishes from the bakery section, a variety pack of tea bags, and some extra coffee. I want to make sure everyone has something to eat and drink.

While I was picking up some last minute stocking stuffers at Walmart, I stocked up on things we need to have on hand to make sure we’re ready for Christmas morning! A quick run over to the paper section to stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, and some fun holiday plates to serve breakfast on.

Right now, you can save even more on Cottonelle, Kleenex, Scott and Viva products, available at Walmart, when you use the Ibotta app! You’re already there for all of your holiday and entertaining needs anyway, might as well put a little money back in your pocket! With the Ibotta app, get $1 off Cottonelle 12-ct or larger, $1 off Scott 12-ct or larger, and $1 off Viva 6-ct or larger! And, if you buy two products, you get an extra dollar back! Who doesn’t want to save a little extra, especially this time of year?

Christmas morning takes place in our small living room. I make sure we have plenty of paper plates (I’m doing as few dishes as possible on Christmas), Viva® Vantage® Paper Towels (because with little ones tossing things everywhere, there’s bound to be messes that need handled), and those muffins and danishes I mentioned earlier right in the living room ready to grab! I don’t want anyone missing out on gift-opening to run back and forth to the kitchen. Kids are quick!

In case anyone has to use the bathroom here Christmas morning, I like to make sure there is plenty of Cottonelle® toilet paper in sight! There’s nothing worse than having to dig through someone’s cabinets in hopes that there is a roll in the bathroom somewhere. Making it easy on guests (and myself) is pretty much my goal in life! I cleared all of the stuff off the countertop that finds its way there, put up a cute hand towel, our polar bear soap dispenser and the bathroom is ready!

I am so excited to see the boys experience the magic this Christmas morning! I know that we’re prepared for Mommom and Poppop to come watch it with us!

What is Christmas morning like in your house?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.