16 December 2015

Traditions + Tours

Can you believe Christmas is already here? I feel like just last week I was visiting family for Thanksgiving. Even so, this is my absolute favorite time of the year so I was very excited when I got the opportunity to collaborate with Kiki over at In Its Time. When thinking of ideas for what to write about we decided on Traditions + Home Tours because this is such a great way to share all of your holiday ideas in one place and maybe even create some new traditions by reading of others.

Before I got married, I lived at home with my parents while attending college. Christmas was always (and still is!) the best at mom and dad's house. Every year we'd get out all the Christmas decorations on one night and set it all up together, from the Christmas tree to the lights to the little snowman set-up in the kitchen. Oh, and dad would never forget to have the Christmas music blaring. With this link-up I get to share bits and pieces of my decorations with you...as well as a few pictures of our adorable new French Bulldog, Gus (that's the best photo I could get out of him before he came running for me.) And as a quick sidenote, now that I have my own home I'm crazy about candles. My favorite scent I wanted to share with you this Christmas is Salted Caramel from Bath & Body Works. Even though as newlyweds we dont have much, we've made it our own.
One of our traditions every year was to take a trip to Hallmark and pick out one new ornament to add to the tree. I always looked forward to it! Now that I'm married we plan on carrying that tradition over into our Christmases together. It's something so simple but makes for special memories. So on my tree you'll find old memories and new memories.  It feels like home to me and that's what I love about it.
My main goal for this Christmas is to just take it all in. I'm going to do my best to not think on tomorrow because in Proverbs 27:1 it says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." My goal is to keep my mind on today and share it with those special to me. Maybe for you it's something as simple as slowing down and looking at those Christmas lights around your city a little bit longer. Or maybe even try something different and learn a new recipe for the holiday. Or even volunteer somewhere this season. Do something new, do something fun, but don't let another year fly by without taking in every moment.

Now it's your turn! I can't wait to read about your traditions and why they mean so much to you! And I'm so excited to see your decorated homes filled with lights and stockings and ornaments. Add your link below so we can share our traditions + tours!



18 comments:

  1. What a lovely idea to collect a Hallmark ornament each year. I'd probably get carried away and collect a few at a time. Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your lovely home. I wish you and your hubby a very special Christmas together and a New Year that sparkles!

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    1. Yes! It is so hard to only choose one but it makes every year special. Thank you for the well wishes. I hope you have a blessed New Year.

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  2. The best part of sharing Christmas with your new spouse is getting to start new traditions with them, and decorate your home together! My husband and I have spent 10 Christmases together, and although not every one is the same, I love the traditions we've shared!

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    1. Thank you for sharing this. Im so thankful for our first year together and I pray you and your husband have another wonderful year together, no matter where it takes you!

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  3. I love that someone else also has the Hallmark tradition. It's one of my favorite traditions I've gotten from my mother in law. They have the best ornaments.

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    1. Oh I looked forward to it every year! They really do have the best ornaments, its so hard to choose! Lol

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  4. That pup! Gus steals the show, doesn't he? :)
    We had the Hallmark ornament tradition when I was growing up, but for some reason my mom stopped doing it when I was in my late teens. It'd be fun for me to start that tradition up with my own family now, though!
    Also, I love your goal for this Christmas: just to take it all in. I think that should be our goal for every season, don't you? It's so easy to forget sometimes, but so important to remember to just stop and breathe and TRUST.

    xotawni

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    1. He sure does... & he knows it lol!
      I totally agree with you it should be in EVERY season. Its so much easier for me to say then do. I definitely am learning that things are out of my control and trust has become my close companion. Everything seems to work better when I let go. Thanks for sharing that with me! Oh, and its never too late to start up that tradition again.

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  5. That is so sweet that your family had such memorable traditions together, and that now as a newlywed, you can continue some of those traditions with your family! I got married a few weeks after you, so our home is also still in a new process and there wasn't a lot of decor, but it was fun to grab a few things at Dollar Tree and bring a bit of christmas cheer to our place! Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog, by the way! :)

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    1. You're welcome! One thing is for sure, Im going to have to stop by Dollar Tree to see their decorations. I remember reading about your wedding planning. You were a beautiful bride! Im happy things are going well for you even tho the transition is hard.

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  6. I love the idea of getting a new ornament for your tree every year. My family always gives me one every year and I love getting out the ornaments each year and looking at them all and remembering! Also just being in the present and enjoy and take in every moment is such good advice--it's easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle for sure.
    Also, your pup is adorable!

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    1. Thanks Shea, he knows he's too cute for his own good :) We love the ornament tradition. It makes for great memories!

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  7. That's a fun idea to carry over one of your childhood traditions into your marriage. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Yeah, it was one that stuck with me for sure. Thank you for joining the link-up with Kiki and I! Have a blessed Christmas & New Year!

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  8. That's my goal this year, too! I just want to soak it all in!

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  9. I LOVE that you have an ornament tradition, too! It's something that I've always wanted to do when I get my own home and everything and I love that you carried it on from your childhood/family tradition to a tradition in your new place, too!

    Also, can I just say how adorable Gus is? Seriously, those eyes and those ears! :)

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