Christmas Traditions

I was going through some old photos on my computer when I came across this little gem. This photo is probably 8-10 years old.  We were at a place for Christmas that hadn't seen snow in literally a hundred years. Naturally, we had to make snowpeople including a pet snowdog.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which means we put up our Christmas decorations, eat a ton of food, and hang out as a family all day. We got into the habit of decorating for Christmas on Thanksgiving because while we lived in Dubai, the munchkins and I would have the day off from school, but the husband had to work. So.....we began a new tradition.

Now that we are back home in the States, the husband will be part of the tradition of decorating for Christmas on Thanksgiving day. The kids are super excited. There of boxes of new decorations awaiting happy munchkin hands in the dining room.  The husband and I took the munchkins to Hobby Lobby while all the Christmas stuff was 50% off. Since we don't have much in the way of Christmas decor amongst the stuff we brought from Dubai, the husband told the munchkins, "You each have $30. Go pick out Christmas stuff for the house."  You can't believe the joy with which my kids filled the cart at Hobby Lobby. After being away from such a plethora of Christmas decor for so long, it was like letting kids loose in a candy shop.

We also have another odd little tradition in our family - visits from Herman the Googalie.  Long before there was the whole elf on a shelf thing, my grandmother and I think great-grandmother knew about Herman. Herman is a special helper of Santa's. He visits before Christmas and leaves cute little gifts. One time, I remember going out onto the front porch at night with snow all around and actually talking with Herman. Very thrilling stuff to a four year old! My family has always been very into fairies and 'forest magic'. We even have a quiet little place on our farm that we call the Fairy Dancing Place. I used to find 'fairy notes' on bark from birch bark there as a young girl. There has always been 'magic' in my family.

Now that I am a mother, my children get visits from Herman the Googalie. But, the tradition has changed a bit. My munchkins each write a letter to Santa and place a 'magic' stamp on it (usually some very special sticker they have picked out). These letters are then left somewhere that Herman can find them, usually by a door or out on a patio. The letters than disappear (ie Herman collects them) and a little gift from Herman appears in their place. Many times, Herman leaves behind a half finished cup of coffee or half eaten snack he pulled from the kitchen, as well. 

Now that the munchkins are older, Herman may not visit for a few years which makes me a bit sad and wistful.  But I know that if my munchkins ever have munchkins, then Herman the Googalie will be back to spread Christmas magic.

Peace.