tra·di·tion trəˈdiSH(ə)n nounthe transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.
Otis and Barbie, probably discussing the Tacky Lights of RVA
Last night, my husband and I had an interesting conversation about Christmas traditions in our house. I’ll spare you the details but suffice to say, we had different perspectives on whether we had many and what they were. Ultimately he conceded that I had good points. We may not go a-caroling, or cut down our own tree Griswald family style, or roast chestnuts on an open fire. Or build a fire. But we have many traditions darn it!
Looking at the definition (a la Google), some we carry on from our families, but most are adapted or recently adopted, and I say – they count!
For example:
- We buy the cheap Advent calendars at the drug store that have the tiny chocolates, and we let the kids pop them open each morning before we leave the house. Chocolate starts the day off right!
- We have a vast collection of Christmas and holiday books, and read at least one every night during December. I have almost memorized Gingerbread Mouse.
- Otis and Snoopy Jack, our elves on the shelf (or shelves?) visit and get into some mischief or another. Those cooky jokester geniuses crack me up!
- Our daycare hosts a Christmas pageant. This was sadly our last year with a child in the pageant, but it has always been what puts me in the spirit each year.
- We “deck the halls” with new and handed-down decorations. My son loves the Nutcracker the best, and my daughter loves the angel that goes on the top of the tree. We bought her two years ago at the Garden Ridge.
Speaking of Garden Ridge…. (how often do you hear that as a segue?)
A growing number of our family holiday traditions are tied to Richmond. We moved from Oklahoma City which we loved, but I think RVA wins in the “doing Christmas with gusto” category. I mean, the Richmond Tacky Light house decorators are awesome, and the tours have their own apps, maps and websites! Say what? The tacky lights of Richmond are really a local treasure. We LOVE driving around to look at them every year! That may be the very definition of holiday awesomeness.
Also, I think one way to spell holidays in Richmond may be S A N T A. There are so many cool ways to hang out with Santa! Our kids love going to see Santa at the Chesterfield Berry Farm market. Now that I’ve let out this well-kept secret, maybe it won’t be so enjoyable! But Santa is picture perfect, you can take pictures at your own pace, and buy some locally grown produce at the same time!
I know there other things I want us to try. The light display at Lewis Ginter gardens. The living nativity at the zoo. But what else?
RVA families, what are your favorite Christmas and holiday family traditions? What should be on our RVA holiday bucket list? Because while we do have some fabulous annual family Christmas and holiday traditions, I’m always open to a picking up a new one.
Need some ideas? Click here for a great list of things to do in Richmond during the holidays.
About Mary Beth Cox