Fayette-Mom: Searching for holiday traditions

I’m looking to establish holiday traditions in our home. We have a few things we do every year. Each child gets to pick out a new ornament for the tree, we make it a point to go out looking at Christmas decorations several times, and we always tune in for our favorite holiday specials on TV. My kids are so excited about all things Christmas, and it’s easy to get caught up in the wonder of the season through their eyes. They’re only little for so long — I want to make sure we make the most of it.

One of the new things for us this year is Elf on the Shelf. He arrives around the time you decorate your home, and he observes the kids’ behavior, flying back each night to give a report to Santa. My kids have had so much fun waking up every morning, trying to find where the Elf has positioned himself for the day. And my daughter writes him notes every night, asking the important questions like “Do you like my new boots?” and “How do you fly so quickly?” The Elf really has made a difference as far as how the children behave, and it’s so fun to watch their excitement.