Decking the Halls!

This was a weekend for Christmas! Most of the shopping is done so I love that Julia and I can enjoy the festive fun on the weekend rather than the hectic times in the mall. Saturday we were up early working on our Christmas cards and greetings, Julia did all the stamping on the newsletters and was official stamper and labeller in the operation. Then we were off to decorate a gingerbread house with Alyse and Moe - this has been a tradition for the past 4 years. I love it that now both the girls see these traditions developing and say, "Remember when we...". Tradition is part of what makes the Christmas spirit.

Last weekend for the first Sunday of Advent we put up our stockings and the advent tree. I've done an Advent tree with Julia since the first Christmas, but got this version of the tree a few years ago. I love it with the numbered branches 1-25. Each day Julia selects an ornament from the velvet bag that houses angels, stars and ornaments related to the nativity. Of course, there's a chocolate from the candy advent calendar to enjoy as well - this year's theme: Hannah Montana!

In the afternoon we went to our federation's Christmas party. Going to my dad's work and union Christmas parties were part of our holiday tradition as kids. I remember is was such a treat to watch a reel-to-reel movie - on a projector! and eat ice cream out of a little cup with a wooden spoon. As kids we were over the moon excited to get a family BAG of wrapped candy (Kerr's I think) and each of us got a gift - a huge treat to get a present before Christmas. The one I remember the best was a kit to make an ultra suede shoulder bag - there were heart decals and it was laced together -- can you tell I was a child of the  70s! Fast forward to 2008 and Julia got a Cranium write and record storyboard - electronics rule with this generation.

Last night we did our tree - Julia was very excited to help and what a great help she was! There were squeals as each storage box was brought in and opened to reveal another Christmas treasure. Julia's job was to help with the lights and then the stringing of the garland is one that she does solo! 

And then our ornaments - she decided the first ornament on the tree would be one that I got her last year  - a little Chinese girl with a flag and lantern. Over the last few years, our collection has grown to include many ornaments that reflect China in some way -- panda bears, a snowman eating rice with chopsticks, Julia's Chinese zodiac, the horse. More traditions to continue.

My favourite ornaments on the tree are the picture ornaments of Julia for each Christmas we've been together. She decided to group them all together along with the ornaments that have her name on them. That part of the tree was quickly named, "the me tree" - yes it can easily become all about us all sometimes!

So the letter to Santa has been sent, the jolly old elf has been visited and updated on Julia's wishes for the season and the house has been decorated. Today we start the Christmas baking for my ladies' group cookie exchange and gifts for friends and neighbours. Hope you all are enjoying the fun of the season.