Want to know why we stay home for the holidays? Today I’m sharing the story behind the reason I never want to leave home on Christmas. *Originally published in 2015.
Ever since I was a little girl, my parents would stress the importance of spending time with family during the holidays. I cannot complain about my holiday traditions growing up because I cherish every memory. The Christmases spent with family members no longer living hold a most special place in my heart.
The purpose of this post is to explain why Brandon and I stay home for the holidays. Let’s start by telling you how I spent every Christmas as a child.
Why We Stay Home For The Holidays
My Mom, Dad, sister, brother, and I would drive to four different places between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to make sure we saw all of our loved ones. We opened our presents together at home on Christmas morning, but the time spent around the tree in our own house was limited. We didn’t play with our new toys until December 26th.
My husband’s childhood was a little different, but very similar. He spent the holidays on the road between various states. I remember the first time he told me Santa never came to his house in Tennessee, but always found him at his Grandparent’s in Ohio.
He loved going North for Christmas because it was cold. There was always snow on Christmas Day and he loved spending time with his extended family. Plus for little kids, it doesn’t really matter where Santa drops off the presents as long as you get them.
Making the Decision to Stay Home for the Holidays
At some point in our relationship, Brandon and I discussed our family holiday traditions. It was probably around the time we started spending Thanksgiving/Christmas together and had to decide which family we would visit.
It was difficult to be away from my parents and siblings, but I love my husband and his family. However, we both knew when we started our own family things would have to change. Neither one of us wanted to spend Christmas at an airport or on the road with an infant.
When Annabelle was born on Friday, December 13, 2013, we told our families we would not be traveling for the holidays. Annabelle spent her first Christmas, and every Christmas since, right at home. Santa comes to our house through our chimney and her grandparents have presents for her at their homes. We celebrate the holidays with family from afar or at a later date – never on Christmas itself.
We enjoy the traditions we’ve established since Annabelle was born. On Christmas Eve we bake cookies and then drive around looking at Christmas lights before coming home to watch It’s a Wonderful Life.
On Christmas morning we open presents when it’s still dark by the fireplace. We stay in our pajamas all day and watch The Christmas Story. For dinner, I make a feast: ham, scalloped potatoes, stuffing, asparagus, and more. Even though our Christmas dinner is usually just the three of us, we enjoy each other’s company.
Perhaps in the years to come we will venture to other’s homes during the Christmas holidays if we live close enough to make a quick drive. If not, we will continue to uphold our traditions. We will always open our home to friends and family and maybe someday I will host Christmas dinner for more than just us. Whatever happens, I’m happy we have something to build upon that we can call our own.
I think that is SO the right thing to do. As kids, we stayed home. Saw family on Christmas Eve early, or the weekend after, OR, my grandparents came to us. Never traveled on Christmas Day.
I love this!
I would love nothing more to be home alone with my future husband on Xmas day! He has 3 kids….It will never happen…LOL
Enjoy your the best mommy ever!
Melissa
We used to spend Christmas at either my parents’ house (only 30 min from where we lived, and I was the oldest and the only one married)….or at one of my husband’s siblings’ places. This year, since we moved away from both sides of the family due to a new job, plus the fact that I was due right after Christmas, we stayed home. I had my 2nd child on the 23rd and my mom flew in to help us, so she still spent Christmas with us.. Now, my whole family has flown in to visit and meet their new niece. But, it’s been nice to have a Thanksgiving and a Christmas of our own after 4.5 years of marriage.
Smartest thing I’ve ever heard! This year we’re doing this and I’m getting push back from extended family. My kids are 13 and 15 and want to just relax at home. It’s sad that we haven’t done this sooner. With busy schedules and working all the time, this is a no-brainer.