Second Chances Girl - a Miami family and lifestyle blog!: Holiday Traditions: Trees, Elves and Toys!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Holiday Traditions: Trees, Elves and Toys!

Every family has holiday traditions. Some are passed down from generation to generation and others are created on the spot. We have been incorporating traditions that we grew up with and also creating our very own. With a blended family, it isn't easy to keep up. There are years where everyone can participate in something and years where there will only be one or two family members to keep traditions alive. Currently we have the following traditions:

1. We put up our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. We respect the turkey around here and personally, I cannot handle more than one holiday at a time!



2. One of the kids always adds the tree topper. It was Gian's turn this year and he was thrilled when it finally came time to add the topper, which ended up lopsided, but that's perfectly fine!


3. Buddy the Elf returns during this weekend also!


4. The kids walk in the annual "Parade of the Elves" to welcome Santa to the City of South Miami! This is usually during the first weekend in December.


5.Toys and Gifts: Once the toy books arrive, the kids sit and write their lists to Santa. This is a long process as they want everything and we limit their lists to about 15 items. They don't get everything on the list but choosing from 15 is easier than choosing from 100.  JC and I get each child 7 gifts from their lists, usually one big ticket item (bike, tablet, etc), a board game, a video game and then random toys. Then the rest of the family picks from the list. My brother will always get Adrian a pair of Air Jordans, that's their thing and my dad will never get anything from the list. Traditions people!! But before Santa arrives with the gifts, the kids need to donate their old toys. They all take a day and go through all their stuff and donate whatever they no longer play with. Broken toys get thrown out and we make space for all the Christmas day craziness!

Traditions are important and we have many more to add to this list. This is just a preview! I know the kids will remember all of these as they grow up and have their own families! 

HOLIDAY TOY SHOPPING TIP!!

When it comes to toy shopping, I will shop online for toys and also in-store because of the in-store events. I love to attend in-store events at toy stores because I like to see how the toys work. This helps when it comes to spending lots of money on a toy.  Walmart is going to have in-store Toyland events where they will be showcasing all the hot holiday toys chosen by kids. For more information on Toyland event dates and locations, click here! 

P.S.: I will be attending the Toyland event on 12/13 at the Miami Walmart. If you are in the area, please stop by, I would love to see you there!

Disclosure: This post has been compensated by AMP Agency and its advertiser. However, all opinions and stories are mine alone!



What are your holiday traditions? What are your methods for gift-giving to children? 



22 comments:

  1. I love elf on the shelf! no kids yet but when I nannied I got to move the elf a few times. I always had so much fun with it! I don't know if I will do elf when I have kids. My husband and I don't have a ton of money and I saw this idea once for Christmas 4 gifts: something you want, something you nee, something to wear, and something read! I thought it was a cool idea. but idk what we will do!

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    1. The Elf is fun. I know some people complain about how much work it is but I like that I get to be super creative with it! We don't have a ton of money either but we do save up all year for Christmas. Every family does what they can!

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  2. I love this time of the year! Decorations and traditions all over!!

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  3. I don't have children, so I can't really speak about that. But on Thanksgiving night, me and my sister usually put the tree up. Then the next weekend, we put lights up outside. And between Thanksgiving weekend and December 12th (which is me and my sister's birthday - we're twins!), we wrap gifts and put them under the tree.

    I absolutely love traditions!

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    1. I love how you and sister have such a special tradition!

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  4. The Elf on the shelf is so much fun. My boys would love this for a present.

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    1. It is lots of fun and you can be as creative as you like!

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  5. Love reading about your family's traditions and how you incorporated them into your blended family. The Parade of Elves event sounds like fun, too.

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    1. The parade is super fun and since we arrive early, the kids are usually the first elves in line! They really look forward to it every year!

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  6. My Opa is all about the tree the week after Thanksgiving...he never wants help it's his BABY =} We haven't gotten into the Elf on the Shelf...although my kids really like looking at all the instagram/twitter pix of all the trouble he's been in at other folks homes =D

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    1. My son checks IG every day and gets super excited to see what everyone else elves are up to also! It's really so fun!

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  7. I love your tree! My children put the topper on our tree every year too, what a great tradition!

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    1. They really look forward to it. As soon as we get the tree, they start arguing over who's turn it is!

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  8. I love your Elf! I want to get one for my young girls. I just know they would really enjoy it! My husband is not sure about it though. He thinks we will forget to move it. I just know they would look forward to him though!

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  9. One of my traditions is letting my kids open ONE gift of their choosing on Christmas Eve night! I love your elf, too!

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  10. Your tree is beautiful! I think it is great that you rotate which child gets to put the topper up. Traditions like these are exactly what make Christmas so special!

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  11. We love our Elf on the shelf. The kids really get into it and it helps with getting into the spirit of Christmas what a great tradition!

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  12. I love that you alternate which child is doing the tree topper! It makes it fair for everyone and something to look forward to! Your elves are so cute!

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  13. We do the elf on the shelf in our house. :)

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  14. I think its great to write the lists together! When the Elf arrives is super cute. Thanks for sharing your traditions.

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  15. I'm going to the toyland event, too, can't wait! We do the Elf and also have one kid put the star on the tree--so cute!

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