Traditions - by Virginia Wong

Our family has adopted traditions from both my husband and my families over the years but as the girls have grown older, we have created our own traditions. I love these traditions and look forward to them every year.

Here is a mini album that celebrates our traditions. The album is titled "Joy" because these traditions bring all of us joy!

Supplies (for album):  Clear Scraps (acrylic album); ribbon (source unknown); My Minds Eye (pattern paper); tags (source unknown); Basic Grey (red poinsetta pattern paper, chipboard alphas); Making Memories (mini alphas); Spellbinders (star dies); American Crafts (pen for stitching)

We start the Christmas season with our various advent calendars - ummm over the years I have collected a few! Each year it is a surprise to see what delicious morsel lies in the drawers of the calendar. My youngest daughter loves putting all the puzzle pieces together to create the wintery scene.

Next is the giddy anticipation of opening the boxes of Christmas decorations. Each girl has their own "special" ornaments that they lovingly place on the tree.

We often receive cards and special meaningful gifts from relatives abroad. No matter the item, my girls have these spontaneous joyful faces! And yes, sometimes during the days leading up to Christmas the excitement is too much - yes, we ask them to read about the Christmas story. Even though it is the holiday season, homework must still be completed.

No matter how many times we decorate the tree, each girl is excited and almost overwhelmed to put their first ornament on the tree. Daddy often is standing within arms' reach. (Mommy would too but who would take the photo?)

I also cannot forget our tradition of reading the Christmas Story advent calendar. Each day we read a mini book telling us the story of baby Jesus and the reason why we celebrate this wonderful season.

I always take a fun "head shoot" of the girls sometime during the Christmas season. Even though they have their "moments" they do really love each other. Our head shot poses vary from year to year and it is something they come up with.

How can I forget pictures with Santa? This is the first year that my youngest has not been scared by Santa!

Each girl makes a quick Christmas craft to share with close friends. Last year we made reindeer candy canes. We also always paint one ornament for the tree.

Each year we try to come up with new ways to dress our table. Last year we made placecards using upbeat non-traditional colours.

As well, no wintery day is complete without the "haute chocolate latte" devised by Moi! This is a family favorite for sure and is rarely available any time other than the holiday season.

Our last tradition is making sugar cookies. My recipe is tried and true. Each girl invites 2-3 friends who come and decorate cookies. It is a great time for all and one that is filled with many Kodak moments!

I thank you all for letting me share my family's traditions and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-Virginia