On Christmas morning, when I was growing up, my younger sister and I would wake up before my parents did (of course), and sneak into the living room to get a peak at the haul. We could always count in at least one or two presents just laying there unwrapped for the world to see.

My parents did not wrap early so always gave up before the job was done. So we'd do a little walk through & stare at the mountain of wrapped gift beneath the tree, grinning at each other, whispering what we hoped was there. And then we'd go back to our rooms and wait with impatience for our parents to (finally) wake up and look alive.

When we opened gifts, we didn't tear into everything and squeal with glee, one person handed out the presents, one at a time. So we'd each unwrap a gift, show it to each other, say thank you, and then start again with another four.

It took longer, but we didn't mind that. It sort of turned Christmas morning into an extravaganza and pushed away that moment of sadness when you realized that was it. ;)

To counteract the sadness, though, my mom would fix pancakes and bacon once we'd finish and I loved those moments, too.

These days, my son and I decorate the day after Thanksgiving, watch a ton of Christmas movies, eat something fun after we open presents and watch a few more Christmas presents that day. We also plan a fun Christmas dinner. Sometimes, I let my son open one gift the night before, but it's not a firm tradition.

Growing up, I think my favorite tradition before Christmas was singing carols after we decorated the tree. On Christmas, it was the pancakes-and-bacon extravaganza.

Now, watching Christmas movies with my son while Christmas candles are lit is my favorite thing to do before Christmas and watching my son open gifts is my favorite thing to do on Christmas day.

What are your favorite traditions?

Believe it or not, Danish children start getting their Christmas presents on the 1st of December and they get a new gift every single day. Neat, right? But often they are small - candy or inexpensive toys - but the thrill is in daily presents.

Families and classrooms alike have advent candles that burn every day in a sort of countdown. The candle is numbered, so you burn it until the number for that day disappears.

By the way, there's a great article you should check out on using Advent for hygge self-care. It's by Jo Kneale. It does involve using a candle but it doesn't have to be this kind, if you don't have one like the ones they use.

In Denmark, the storytelling involves a TV show, usually for children, that follows a storyline from the first stay until the holiday and is watched every night to see what happens next. Often there is a Christmas mystery. What a neat idea for a family storytime!

Instead of getting a tiny present each day, older kids get a present on every Sunday. Parents light an advent candle & the older kids find the gift left for them. I love the idea of this, but as a kid, I wouldn't want those extra gifts to lessen the haul we could look forward to getting on Christmas day. :)

Love this idea! It's a Christmas baking day where you get together with family and friends and make Christmas cookies. So random, fun baking events can still occur, but this is a more special one from one I understand. And they bake several different kinds of cookies during that day. Sign me up!

Sounds like a neat memory-making occasion.

And you know, it might be something you could do long-distance using video for families who are celebrating apart. Making a fun date for the kids to connect with absent grandparents or long-distance friends to say hello while eating lunch might be a neat way to stay connected.

This one seems so neat! The family holds hands and walks in a circle while singing up to 10 Christmas carols. It reminds me of when I was child and after we decorated the tree, we'd sing a few songs in front of it. Having a tradition like that would create such a warm holiday memory.

May you create many happy, hygge holiday memories this season!

Love to you!

Jeanine

(1) Every time you eat more of the turkey or another serving of the sweet potato casserole, it brings back the memory of the warmth, togetherness, good food mood & "not a care in the world" that you experienced on Thanksgiving Day. Light a candle when you do and you instantly elevate the meal to "special occasion."

(2) It's comfort food, which means it is likely to offer both tryptophan and serotonin, and may at least temporarily, replenish our dwindling or dwindled supply of sunshine mood. Take a walk in the sun afterward and you'll help to create another happy day.

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine