Pages

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Holiday Traditions

The Homeschool Village asks:

How does your family show your fall spirit? Do you have a special tradition or wear a fun costume? Are there special foods you like share?

For me, as soon as November hits – we’re in the holidays! Right up until January 2nd, my mind is on the holidays each and every day. Sometimes it drives the family crazy… The Christmas radio stations start about then, and I don’t listen to anything else. After about the 20th rendition of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, they are ready to mutiny.

We ALWAYS decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. Friday, the tree, stockings and Christmas plates all come out. (Makes more sense than fighting the crowds and raising my blood pressure. :-))  Our best investment was a prelit tree!  No more aggravation or arguments about putting on the lights - plug and go!  Now that's the way to do it! 


  
Having the house decorated creates a wonderful air of excitement.  As the presents start filling up under the tree, we realize how blessed we are with family and home.  Our nativity scene has a special place close to the front door so that we never forget the reason for the season.

Food is also a big part of our traditions. We make snowball cookies, pumpkin bread, Sonia Heines, muddy buddies, and lots of hot chocolate. Well, that's just for starters.  Not to mention all the goodies for the big family parties and meals!

 One recipe I’d like to share is super simple and lets the kids get involved. Butterscotch-Chocolate Peanut Clusters are in high demand at the Bradley household throughout the season.

Butterscotch-Chocolate Peanut Clusters

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 bag butterscotch chips

 1 jar salted, roasted peanuts


Recipe:

Empty both bags of chips into a microwave safe bowl

Microwave at one minute intervals stirring until all the chips are melted and smooth

Stir in peanuts

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper lined cookie sheets

Place in refrigerator until solid and move to a plate

Store in the refrigerator

Yum!

Now, of course, there are plenty of traditions surrounding Christmas itself, but that’s for another blog post.

What are some of the traditions you look forward to as we enter the holiday season?

2 comments:

  1. Goodness, I haven't even gotten to the fall decorations yet! I am feeling really behind! I DO love Christmas stuff, too, though... :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your tradition of decorating your tree right after Thanksgiving..and that yummy recipe. I will def have to make that this year! Thanks so much for linking up at the Homeschool Village!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting - I love to hear your thoughts!