10 days left until Christmas!!! ARE YOU READY!

• YOU BETTER BE! This is a picture of Will's FIRST Christmas parade. This was the first year (he's 2.5) that I thought he'd actually care about it... So we loaded up and drove to Gainesboro TN! My hometown! He was absolutely MESMERIZED! He said 'Shanna' when he saw Santa and pointed! SO SWEET to this mommas heart! I thought to myself- this is DEFINITELY going on the Christmas tradition list! In keeping with that thought I wanted to post some 'traditions' or tips or quips that maybe you can also try with your families! Some are unique and others are some you may already be doing, but here goes!

  One thing my husband and I have done for a couple years is have a small Christmas party with some couples from church! Eat good food and play silly games! this is always good for a laugh!

  Evey year we all get a new Hallmark ornament! this year Scott got "Christmas Vacation" and Will got "The Polar Express" and of course I got a "coffee" one!

  My sister will always make cookies with her boys from scratch, cut them out, bake them, and wrap them up and deliver to neighbors!'

  Of course our famous dessert off! Friendly competition is bound to make things more interesting! start one up with a sibling or cousin or aunt! You don't have to do dessert- you can do drinks, kids food, a craft for the hostess! ..or the funniest Christmas gag gift!

  Open one gift Christmas Eve! (not the 'big' one!)

  Have fancy appetizers that you might not normally have on Christmas Eve! Make shrimp cocktail and lobster tail.... Or do fancy cheese and fruit! You have the whole week of family Christmas's for traditional food!

  Make Thermoses of cider or chocolate- let everyone get into their pajamas and grab some blankets and go ride around looking at Christmas lights! you'll want the blankets for when you roll down the window to see better!

  Watch Christmas movies or listen to Christmas music while wrapping your gifts or writing out your Christmas cards.

  Set out a BUNCH of decorations!! Start a 'decoration' you can always add to every year so you never bore of your decor! Like Christmas villages, or candles on the mantel, ornaments from places you've vacationed, or this CRAZY "Elf on the Shelf" thing people are doing. Whew - I just know Will is gonna want one next year! Speaking of those things- here is #10. Places to put your elf on the shelf! Ceiling fan, bookcase, mailbox, refrigerator (nice Kelly!), in the bathroom, on top of curtains, in the dryer, in the trash, ahem... I mean in the living room.. LOL If you have one where have you put yours so far???

  Play 'elves' yourselves! Make up some cookie and candy tins or boxes and drive around and leave some on peoples doorsteps or in their mailboxes while they are working! When they get home they will have a nice surprise from you!

  One morning while eveyone is home - either on christmas break or the weekend, make a big ol pancake breakfast. Use metal Christmas cookie cutters to place on griddle or in the skillet - fill with pancake mix and you have yourself a small lil Christmas tree pancake!

  Let your kids go with you and take some goodies to the local fire dept or police stations.

  Open your Christmas cards each night together as a family.
• On a snowy day surprise someone with a snowman in their yard! Take the kids to the grandparents or a neighbors house while they are away working! Any grandparent would love this to come home too!
• Host a cookie or ornament exchange! I wanted to do this so bad this year, but just couldnt find a day to squeeze it in! Maybe next year! You could also host a scrapbook layout exchange with some wowie artwork!!!