It’s almost Christmas! Although changing of the seasons into winter is difficult for me, the holidays always makes things better.

This year Jonathan and I are celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Over the years as our lives and families have become intertwined, we’ve created our own set of traditions and are creating new traditions as husband and wife.

Here are some of my favorite:

// Turkey Trot

What better way to start Thanksgiving than to give back to the community and those in need. This year it was -7 degrees Thanksgiving morning. Jon and I ran a 5k inside instead and made a donation to the food shelf in spirit. I hope to make the Turkey Trot and annual Thanksgiving activity for our family!

// Christmas Eve Pajamas

My Mom started this tradition! I looked forward to opening our “Christmas Eve gift” each year and have some cozy PJ’s from over the years that always make me think of Christmas at my family’s house.

// Choosing a Christmas Tree

I think that as a Vermonter, I’ve taken for granted the fact that we have a freshly cut Christmas tree each year. I LOVE going to tree farms and choosing trees with our families, taking tractor rides through the snow covered fields, sipping hot coco and take photos. I have many cherished memories from these trips.

// Christmas Cookies & Baking Day

There are certain recipes that only come around this time of year! For our family the recipes include Susan’s Monkey Bread and Ribbon Cookies. Susan is my childhood neighbor who would leave steaming fresh Monkey Bread on our porch Christmas Day. My family would look forward to it every year. Our Ribbon Cookie recipe is from my Mother’s side of the family – we often make them together with my Mom, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother (MiMi!).

What are some of your favorite Holiday traditions!?

Love,

-D