Remember December: X is for Xmas Traditions Here at Home

Christmas traditions was the topic I wrote about previously for letter T . I shared the traditions I enjoy upon returning to my growing up home for the holidays. You can find that post here. JEJ and I have our own traditions at our home here in the snowbound area south of Kettle Falls! We have often stayed home for Christmas Eve to attend our own Christmas program and/or service at The Garden Valley Church. Next was home for a quiet dinner while enjoying the fire and our furry family as we opened gifts. Then we headed to Idaho for Christmas Day. Other years we go to Kellogg for Christmas Eve which is always special as we celebrate a Country of the World dinner at the home of Silver Valley Girl. This year we are snowbound and housebound. It will be different, but we look forward to creating our own Christmas Day traditions. In all my years of adulthood I have never cooked my own Christmas Day dinner. This is my year!
One of the special parts of the Christmas season is preparing gifts and goodies for JEJ's family. Fortunately most of them live close. He loaded up the gifts and goodies in plastic tubs the other day before too much snow had piled up and navigated through the winter wonderland in Ferry and Stevens Counties to deliver holiday cheer.

Another tradition is to unpack my nativity from childhood and set it up on the piano. I let the light burn above the manger during the holiday season as a reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ. I did another post on the nativity here.

A few years ago I fell in love with poinsettias. I decided the fresh ones were too unpredictable so I found a collection I could use year after year. I love this new tradition. After adding a few candles it is a simple way to create a festive mood, plus the cats don't seem as interested in playing with them and the dogs realize they are not toys with squeakers inside.
As we enjoy a quiet day in our snowbound home we will create new traditions. I would love to drive somewhere to capture winter images with my camera on Christmas Day, but finding a place that we can safely get too may be a challenge. I know there will be Christmas music playing, a special breakfast for two will be in order, and some presents will be opened. I look forward to these new traditions although I will miss my family back home.

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends and family. May your new year be filled with hope, peace, and promise.