M&D's Mommy: Christmas Traditions

For those of you who know me, Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I love all the hustle and bustle, the shopping, the eating, the baking and the traditions.

Here are some of our annual Christmas traditions we follow:

1. We are decorated by the day after Thanksgiving (if not earlier).
2. Making and decorating gingerbread houses.
3. Looking at Christmas lights.
4. Buying an ornament each year that represents what each child is into.
5. Advent calendar counting down the days to Christmas.
6. Annual family Christmas pictures
7. Visiting Santa at Santee lakes
8. Children's Christmas party hosted by the Sheriff's Department.
9. Christmas dinner with the Sippels

And our newest tradition . . .

Jolly - the Elf on the Shelf

For those who are not familiar, there is this wonderful kit that comes with a book and an elf doll. The book explains how Santa knows if you have been good or bad everyday. He sent an elf to come and live with us to watch over the kiddos and every night when we are all asleep the elf disappears to tell Santa whether you should be on the nice or naughty list. When the elf returns, he never ends up in the same spot and you must hunt where he has landed every morning. The story also explains how upon Santa's orders, the elf can't talk, but he can listen very well. So, children are encouraged to talk to the elf and let him know their wishes for Christmas. It also explains one very important rule - NO ONE can touch the elf, or he will lose his magic and won't be able to go to the North Pole to give his report.

So we adopted the elf (complete with adoption papers and registered him with the North Pole registry) and the kids named him Jolly.

Mackenzie loves the idea and talks to him quite often. Dylan was unsure the first day or two and was worried that he may appear in his room one morning. He was not afraid of the elf - but was worried that the elf would really see that he's been kind of naughty lately (LOTS of whining and pouting) and Santa wouldn't bring him anything!

Every morning the kids wake up and the search is on. They love looking for him and finding the silly places he hides. They also LOVE to tell every adult that steps foot into our house that we own an elf who was sent to us by Santa.

This by far has been the best tradition (www.eflontheshelf.com - great website). They love Jolly and the kids are sad that Jolly has to go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and won't be back until next year. So if you ever visit us over the holidays, you'll hear about Jolly! Just remember - hands off!