So many of my favorite Christmas traditions really didn’t matter to Abby when she was younger. She had no interest in making cookies or watching certain Christmas movies. As she is getting older, she is much more interested in Christmas. In fact, at 2 and a half, she is fairly well obsessed with it. It’s been so fun to do some fun Christmas things will her.
Some things this year may not happen. Like decorating Christmas cookies. Her health issues right now don’t allow her to eat them so it would be really mean to have her help make something she loves then not allow her to eat them. We have been able to do some other fun things though. Here are some of the non-cookie making toddler Christmas tradition things we have been doing.
Picking out our Christmas tree- This is one of Abby’s favorite things. Matt grew up going into the woods and choosing a tree top that looked good. They are obviously not as full or symmetrical as a nursery tree but they are free. Plus, the experience of going tree hunting is a great tradition.
Decorating the house and tree- This was another of Abby’s favorites this year. She loved getting to help decide where things went and making the house look all Christmas-y.
Watching Christmas movies- When I was growing up, we always watched It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve. We typically watched White Christmas on Thanksgiving night as the kick-off to the holiday movie season. We watched a lot more Christmas movies in between. We were a big movie family. Abby isn’t quite old enough to watch a lot of those movies yet but she has enjoyed A Very Monkey Christmas and Mickey’s Christmas Carol as well as all the Veggie Tale Christmas movies.
Looking at Christmas lights- We haven’t seen too many yet this year as we aren’t often out after dark. When we do see some, Abby gets very excited. She loves to turn on our Christmas tree too. It’s usually on from about 7am until we go to bed.
Christmas crafts- We’ve been doing at least a coloring page every day this Christmas season. Some of our crafts have been for gifts, some have been just for fun, and some have been part of the advent countdown we have been doing together (I’ve been doing a bit of a watered down Truth in the Tinsel). I’m hoping to do a Christmas themed cloud dough as well.
Reading Christmas books- We don’t own many of our own but we have been getting them from the library. Abby’s current favorite is Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas.
I’m always looking for more toddler-friendly Christmas ideas. I’d love to hear what you have been doing!
Iris says
These are great ideas! We are in the toddler season right now as well. We’ll have to check out that book as well! 🙂
Julie says
We are huge Fancy Nancy fans around here. 🙂
Dawn says
Christmas Traditions are always a treasure. Ours is reading a series of advent books every evening during advent. We have been doing this since our oldest, now 19, was young and probably since our youngest, now 12, was a baby.
The traditions become just as precious to them as they are to you.
Blessings,
Dawn
Julie says
I love the idea of advent books. I’m looking at buying books throughout the year so we have them when December hits.
Sheila says
Abby and your health come FIRST. Hopefully answers and resolutions in your future. We are all busy too. Although my excuse for playing now is waiting for the angel food to cool so I can break it and dip it. Looks like a green Christmas as so mild all snow is melting. Had grandkids all yesterday so pulled out the Christmas books their Daddy had. Fun to read again. No religion in their house so we talked about baby Jesus. The 4 yo picked up right away on my nativity set being in the story..
MerryChristmas and healthy New Year!
Julie says
Thanks, Shelia! Dealing with Abby’s stuff is one thing but to be having issues of my own on top of that has been very hard. I’m completely wiped out. I truly am hoping and praying for a healthy 2015. And sooner rather than later. 😉
Abby loves to talk about baby Jesus. Doesn’t even care about Santa at all. 🙂