Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Christmas Traditions

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone. #SendHallmark #CollectiveBias
Traditions are a funny thing.  Sometimes, you don't realize you have one until you've been doing the same thing for years and years, while other times you set out to create them (i.e. the concept of the "first annual" anything).  This will be my sixth Christmas with Mike and the fourth we've celebrated together in our same home.  In that time, we've started a few of each type of tradition, and I love each and every one of them.

Since the beginning of our relationship, we've always exchanged Hallmark cards.  Not just on Christmas, but also on birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day, we've always made a point to choose a card and write a note to each other.  Sometimes they're funny and witty while other time they're heart felt (with usually still a bit of humor).  This year, Mike's even sings!
Another tradition we have, that we purposely began our first year together, is purchasing a dated ornament.  My parents have always done this, and it's so fun to unwrap the box, see the "1979" written on it, and think about how many different trees it's been on.  Together, Mike and I have a simple ball, a few pop culture characters, and many wonderful ornaments from our wedding last year.  This year, while picking out our cards, we found this fun, dated ornament at Walmart to add to our tree.
The one thing about getting a new ornament every year, especially for those of us with a small apartment tree, is that it's easy to run out of room!  To make every part of our home festive, I've started making these fun wire ornament hangers.  They fit in little spots like Mike's desk or on our night stands.  All you need are two things: needle-nose pliers and wire (I used extra 12 gauge wire from hanging drop ceiling).  Use the pliers to twist the wire into any shape or word you desire; this will make the base of the hanger.  I chose the word "Joy."  Leave about 1 foot of untwisted wire at the end of your design to make the actual hanger.  Twist that wire into a hook shape, and hang your ornament!
What all of these traditions culminate in is a new one we began last year.  This will be out second Charleston Christmas, and for the second year in a row, we have planned a trip up north to be with our family.  Instead of bringing up all of our gifts to one another, we enjoy a smaller Christmas exchange, just the two of us, before we leave.  We wear our pajamas, listen to Christmas music (have you heard Pandora's Hallmark station?), and open cards, stockings, and gifts.
Looking to start your own tradition this year?  You can find more Hallmark inspiration here.  Plus, click here to save $1.00 off of a two Hallmark Greeting Card purchase at Walmart, minimum $1.00 purchase required.  Take advantage of the savings and #SendHallmark this holiday season.
  • What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
  • Do you send cards every Christmas?

23 comments:

Cara (Kindly Unspoken) said...

These are great christmas traditions! I think it's so sweet that you all always buy a card for each other. We're not big card buyers in my home, but when we do buy them it's always the funny/light-hearted ones, because otherwise my husband knows I will cry-haha. Also, awesome idea of hanging ornaments in other locations throughout the home!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

So sweet! Christmases together are just the best!

kerri @ cheshire kat said...

cards are my absolute fav. there's just something about the fact that the other person took time to check it out and write a cute note :) cute!

xoxo cheshire kat

Jenn said...

We always do cards, too. As much as I love presents, the cards are my most favorite part!

Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes} said...

I try to do cards but I always forget to send them! Although you just reminded me so hopefully I remember to get them in the mail tonight haha! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

Chesson | Magnolia+Main said...

These are great traditions! I love that y'all do a little Christmas by yourselves at home before traveling to see family.

Emily said...

I think cards can sometimes (a lot of the time) be sweeter than a gift! I love each and every card I've gotten from Freddie!

Now, saying that..I don't think we've actually gotten each other a Christmas time card since the first year we were dating, ha! Time to change that.

Carly Messmer said...

I love the dated ornament idea. I've been trying to get a new ornament or two every year so we can slowly replace the generic target ornament balls that I have. This year we got a crab claw ornament from Boston haha.

P!nky said...

Such great traditions, your wire ornaments are too cute.

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

I send cards every year. I like doing it.

We always buy ornaments on our travels!

Rebecca Jo said...

OK - so I totally adore your ornament hanger :)

Anonymous said...

I love those traditions! I always buy ornaments when I travel places, so the tree becomes filled with memories from the trips (and put dates on the back if they don't include them).

Laura said...

I love the ornament tradition idea! I wish I would have thought of that when my husband and I first got married!

Julie said...

We always do cards as well, I don't know but I love a good Hallmark card.

We also get ornaments when we go to places but this year I felt like the lights were my favorite on the tree so I didn't put any up. I'm not scrooge by any means but someone told me our condo would be on the market by this time so it would have been easier clean up...we I was played, ha!

Unknown said...

i love christmas ornaments! xo jillian - cornflake dreams

Jen Mc said...

You have wonderful traditions!!!!!
We usually pick up a snowman ornament on our travels each year and it's a "production" to put on the tree that year.

Jen said...

Christmas traditions like this are so much fun! Kyle and i always get Christmas pajamas, this years are pretty amazing. haha.

Nichole @ casadecrews.com said...

We always get an ornament wherever we travel throughout the year, but I like the idea of getting a specific one for the actual year too!

Katie Elizabeth said...

We travel for the holidays, too so we do our gift exchange beforehand and it's always a special night :) Love all of your ornaments, we need to start collecting more!

Christina Lea Loves said...

Love the Christmas for two - thats one of my favorite things we do - we're doing ours next Tuesday! I really love the idea of doing a dated ornament - so smart!

Megan @ Chicago Girl said...

Love this. Traditions are very important to me. I feel like I do them all the time, not even knowing that I do things. Such as buying my husband an ornament every year (always a black lab for our old man). This year, we started a new tradition..which I need to blog about!!

Kristie said...

Thanks for sharing your Christmas traditions! We always get new ornaments (not dated, but still) every year and it means so much to look back at all the years together. I love the little ornament stands- such a cute idea.

Merry Christmas!

Kristie

Kristie's Reverie

Samantha said...

Christmas traditions are my favorite and I LOVE the creation of adding to some of your ornaments with words. Beautiful memories to share! #client

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