Cat’s Family Traditions
Photographed by Caroline Tran
2020 will surely be a year to remember, so why not start the year and pave the path for a bright 2021 ahead?
Christmas has always been a holiday favorite in my household while growing up. I remember making cookies with my sister, enjoying egg nog while watching holiday classics, and of course setting out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa’s arrival. Though I am older now, traditions have changed for my own family. We do things a little more elaborately and really take in the season of the holidays as a time to remember all the little moments we have together.
My husband and I have always loved doing things at the start of the season, such as watching a local holiday tree be lit, driving to different areas to view the amazing decorations in neighborhoods, and always throwing a Christmas party for our friends and family to gather together. When we had our little Lucy, these traditions stayed the same, but new ones were added to accommodate our little girl’s joy for the season that would be memorable in her eyes. We always make holiday cookies together, and she will always choose a classic favorite – M&M cookies. She loves to meticulously place each M&M atop each cookie prior to being placed into the oven… and secretly sneaking a few in her mouth while we’re not looking. We love to go to multiple neighborhoods in the evenings to view the lights, drink some hot cocoa, and allow her to doze off to sleep with a happy ending to her day. We started Elf on the Shelf for her this year since she understands the concept of elves and who Santa really is, and she wakes up every morning looking for her elf to see what mischief she has gotten herself in during the night.
One of the traditions that we started for Lucy was making a hot cocoa stand for the Christmas party where she would serve hot cocoa and cookies to the neighbors while daddy dresses like Santa and takes photos with the neighborhood kids. She definitely has her mom’s love to serve others, and you can surely bet that if you order a cup of cocoa from Lucy, you will probably get more marshmallows than cocoa. These are the little things that we look forward to during the season, and although we cannot do exactly the same things we’re used to doing in previous years, we will adapt as much as we can to make it just as magical for all of us. Daddy will still be Santa this season, and Lucy will still be serving hot cocoa (in the form of a hot cocoa bomb), but instead of our friend’s coming to us, we will be driving by on Christmas Eve to them.
Whatever your traditions may be during the holiday, make it a memorable one that can be carried through the years and passed down. Although this year may not be the same, making it safe and memorable in your own way will still be as magical. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours.
Love,
Cat, Ray & Lucy