Some of my happiest and sweetest memories from my childhood took place around the Christmas holidays.  Like most parents, my Mom and Dad went above and beyond in making every moment magical- so magical I believed in Santa until 5th grade (when my Mom finally took me aside and broke the news to me).  I (and my siblings) still wanted to continue the traditions until we moved out of the house.  Before my husband and I had kids we already were planning how our Christmases would pan out, down to every detail about traditions.  So we were anxious to start them as soon as my son arrived three Christmases ago.  We soon realized that until kids get to be about three, they don't really "get it".  This is the first year where I am giddy about making sure my son gets the full experience.  These are some traditions I hope my kids will look back on fondly twenty years from now and think about passing them on to their families.

With hot chocolate in hand, we will hit the streets in search of the best Christmas lights at least two weeks before the actual day.  We did this starting last year because even my eight month old can enjoy this activity.  In addition to the regular traditions of trimming the tree and visiting Santa, we will make homemade gifts for Grandparents and create wrapping paper.  On Christmas Eve we have an early Christmas dinner with my side of the family and then we pick one gift to open right then.  We go to the children's Christmas Eve Mass and then head to the next town over to celebrate with my husband's side of the family.  The kids fall asleep on the way home at around 9:00.  The next day we take turns opening gifts to stretch it out.  The next two hours are spent putting together toys and making a special breakfast. 

Of course, your child has to have a couple of gifts to call it Christmas, but it definitely doesn't have to be too much over that amount.  Looking back, I don't remember a feeling of discontent on Christmas morning after I didn't get something I had wanted.  I remember a few special gifts throughout the years, but that is probably due to my Mother reminding me, "Do you remember you just had to have the Barbie Dream house?  You promised you would play with it everyday."  Don't stress about the perfect gift, so long as you are keeping the same traditions year after year.  Traditions over gifts will make the long lasting memories.