Our 5 Favourite Holiday Traditions
Our 5 Favourite Holiday Traditions
The holidays are just around the corner, memories are made and traditions are continued. It can also be the busiest time of the year with family and friend gatherings, holiday parties, and all of the activities and events offered throughout town. It’s important during this time of the year to stay connected to the close ones in your life, enjoy the magic in your child’s eyes and be present with the spirit this season can bring.
Thryve’s Founder, Casey James is sharing five of her family’s holiday traditions including a few new additions this year!
1.U-Cut Christmas Tree & Decorating
One of our most memorable traditions we started a few years ago has been cutting our own Christmas tree. There’s something about that fresh pine smell in the home over the holidays that makes it so cosy and really feels like Christmas. We drive out to one of our favourite Christmas tree farms where they play Christmas music, offer hot chocolate, hand you a saw and wagon for the kids to ride in and lead you the way to choose your tree.
Once home, we take the afternoon/evening to decorate the tree make some hot apple cider and open each ornament reminiscing back to the years each one was brought into the family all while of course playing festive tunes.
We’re trying to go every year while the kids are small. They love the 14-minute experience on the train with beautiful displays, live performer and holidays lights. It’s also great to know a portion of ticket sales go directly to the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund.
3. Gingerbread House Decorating
My husband and I started this tradition before kids. We would have a fun evening with friends and decorate gingerbread houses. We’d sometimes make it into a harmless and fun competition. Now with kids, this has grown into a celebratory gathering with other friends with kids. Usually the decorating and icing doesn’t all make it on the houses, but it definitely brings in the effort :)
4. Family Time at Home
One of my all time favourites is to just stay home during the holidays, stay cosy by the fire, watch the Christmas tree glitter with lights, turn on classic holiday movies or listen to a 2-3 hour playlist of Christmas songs, bake holiday cookies, and read a few of the classic holiday children’s books. There’s something about being present in the moment during the holidays, watching the little ones face light up with homemade cookies and taking about the magic of Santa.
5. Drive Around Our Neighbourhood to See Christmas Lights
We live in a neighbourhood which goes all out with holiday decorations and lights. There’s usually one or two homes which is fully lit and can been seen from blocks away. A few evenings through the holidays, we get the kids in the car after dinner and drive around finding our favourite house with lights. There are even a few homes that decorate for charity.
We would love to hear from you on what are some of your favourite holiday traditions. Feel free to comment below!