family christmas traditions

Now that we have a babe I have been trying to think of special traditions for our little family to do together. Even though Piper is tiny and won't remember any of this, I wanted to start thinking of what is fun or special for us to do each Christmas.

Christmas Tree farm (even though we usually get our tree from Home Depot - shhh!)

{Thoughtful gift giving}

I have to be careful because I LOVE giving gifts. It is easy for my to go overboard on Piper because lets be real buying baby clothes/shoes/accessories is WAY too fun. I tried to stick to just a couple things for Christmas because I don't know - she's only 5 months old! Ha! Its not easy folks I tell ya.

But thoughtful gift giving is something I want to make a tradition. I love the idea of

Want : Gingiber for Land of Nod Sheep Pillow

Need: Lets be honest she NEEDS nothing. No need gift this year!

Wear: Tiny Toms because well tiny Toms.

Read: Flora and the Flamingo Its actually a picture book with no words. I bought it because I think it is beautiful but also because Greg is such a creative storyteller I thought it would be a fun daddy/daughter book they could make up stories together with.

It cuts down on the excess gifts and it allows grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc to be able to give them special gifts as well without it becoming some crazy over indulgent holiday.

I also want to make sure I always participate with my kids in acts of giving especially around the holidays. It truly isn't about the gifts we get but sharing our time and the joy and hope of Christ with others - which can be so overlooked with all the stuff!!

 Christmas countdown snowman made by my mother-in-law. Perfect new family tradition!

I always, always display my cards on the tree. Love seeing them grow year by year!

Making our own Christmas card via Tiny Prints - one of my favorite parts of the holiday!

Stockings. This year they are cheesy loud and store bought - but I love them!!!

We of course also have traditions that we participate in at our Church too!

love day party

Since this year Valentine's Day fell on a Friday I knew we didn't want to go out. I am not the kind of girl who thinks Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday or over rated, I actually rather enjoy it. I love my hubby and I love celebrations of all kinds so it is a fun day for me. But I also knew I didn't want to pay twice as much at a restaurant as I would creating a memorable, fun evening at home!

So me and my sis put together a dinner & dessert for our men that I think rivaled any night out!

My sissy & I had a blast putting all the crafts together for the night a couple days before. These mini wooden rounds we found at Michael's Crafts for $4 for 6 of them.

My man got a small V-Day gift on the 14th but his real present is a brewery tour we will be doing this weekend. But I couldn't resist getting him a little sweet the day off!

I don't know how the hubby could have picked better presents for me! A cupcake & a new book?
Swoon.

We opted for catering instead of slaving away in the kitchen, so we ordered out from a local Italian deli since both my sis and I worked all day. It was super tasty and made us feel special too because we didn't have to cook!

The men had cocktails and beer while the ladies sipped water and coffee.

For dessert my sister whipped up a Tiramisu Fondue recipe copycat from The Melting Pot (recipe coming tomorrow!) The hubby & I are not huge fondue people but we both agree this one was out of this world! So good!

I am so glad we all decided to stay in and enjoy a fun evening at home. It was just as yummy, just as romantic and just as special as any night out and the personal touches really made the night!