A Shop-A-Licious Tradition

I saw this tradition on "Over the Tipsy Top Design" blog. LOVED it!! Here's what she said:

"For almost 20 years my mom and her three best friends have taken their daughters the weekend before Thanksgiving shopping together. For some of us it is the only time of year we see each other and we now anticipate it all year long!!! I have had many girlfriends copy this tradition with their sisters and friends. We start first thing Friday morning, then we all meet Friday night at the Hotel for food, matching pajamas, games, and memorable mom entertainment!! Somehow over the years the production the moms create gets better and better. This year it was Dancing with the Stars and the Dads made a guest appearance!! Sister-in-laws are always included and granddaughters are initiated into the group at 12 years old. We have about four granddaughters now, who were inducted by candle light and shopping cash from grandmas. It is a tradition that all the granddaughters anticipate and look forward to.
This is a tradition that will make memories for a lifetime. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. Find the time to make these memories, it is worth the effort!!!"

Isn't that touching! I know it's SHOPPING....but it can also be bonding time.

The Christmas OrNaMeNt Tradition

One Christmas Tradition my family ALWAYS did involved Ornaments. My parents would find ornaments that represented something each child did or accomplished that year. We would open them on Christmas Eve & hang them on the tree. I like the idea of keeping a little book for each of them - to remember exactly WHAT each ornament stood for! A gal over on Errand of Angels blogged about how her family does this tradition...check it out!!

The SpEcIaL RED Plate..

My family had a tradition growing up of "The Red Plate." Whenever it was someone's birthday...you got to eat your dinner on the red plate! It was lots of fun and gave us "warm fuzzies" inside! I would LOVE to do this tradition in our new little family. I also like the idea of celebrating ANY victories, whether small or big. Getting 100% on a test, remembering to make your bed for a week, getting onto the High School basketball team! One thing I have learned over the years of teaching is that it is EXTREMELY important to give out positive praise! It really does work wonders in children!