Ideas for a New Tradition?

So, throughout my life the day after Thanksgiving has ALWAYS been one of my favorites. I would always spend the day out and about - sometimes shopping, mostly just people watching and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the first official day of the Christmas season.

Having children has changed this for me. Keith, working for Dillard's, never gets that Friday off. Even working in the corporate office does not afford him such a luxury. Before we had small children, I went shopping with friends while my poor husband spent the day working. Now, however, it would cost money for me to head out and kick off the holiday season in my old fashion. Paying someone to watch the little ones while I people watch does not really seem like a wise use of resources. I have gone out a couple of times before Keith went to work (but that was to stand in line with the other crazy early bird shoppers to get some incredible deal and is not at all about my traditional ringing in of the holiday season).

So, as I have dealt with this change, I have been besieged with a certain amount of sadness. In the past this had been one of my favorite days of the year and now it just seems like any other week day. Keith gets up to go to work and I am home with the little ones.

After a bit of self pity it dawned on me that this is just a season of life & what I really need is a new tradition that reflects my season. Shopping with four small children is not a part of this season! Something that will help me and my entire family (well, Keith will still have to work) experience the joy of the first day of the Christmas season.

But what can it be?

I know what I do NOT want it to be... A CRAFT! We will do crafts pretty much every day from December 1st until Christmas and on the days we do not do a craft, we will probably bake something. I want this day to be special in a different way.

Before I was a believer, as I spent the day out and about, I was drawn in to the magic of the season not really understanding what it was all about. Now I understand. I see that this Advent season is about getting ready for the coming of the Lord - not just the celebration of His birth but the celebration that He will come again. I want this new tradition to reflect that AND be fun.


Keep in mind, I have a five year old, a soon to be four year old, a two and half year old and an eight month old to do this new tradition with. And here is the funny thing, as I sat down to write this, I was still sort of grieving the loss of my old holiday tradition but now as I come to the end of this blog, I am actually excited about starting something new - something that reflects the changes that have happened in my life and the joy of the Christmas season! I love the way God works!!!!!

So, any thoughts? What could I do with my family this Friday that would capture the magic of the Christmas season? That would become a tradtion that our family would enjoy as long as we enjoy this particular season of life? Please feel free to share! Other than that, have a happy happy Thanksgiving!