12-21-09 Blog Pic of SophNow that my daughter Sophia is old enough to understand this special time of year I want to start a holiday tradition with her.  Christmas is one of my favorite times of year and it has been since I was a kid.  There are so many things that I loved growing up about this time of year.  Every December, my grandparents would take me, my sister and two cousins downtown to the City Center and we’d eat at the McDonalds, ride the train and then we’d walk over to the Amway Grand Plaza to see the gingerbread houses.  It’s kind of a strange combination of things, but we loved it and looked forward to it every year.

Another thing that’s special in my family is Christmas Eve.  Each year my mom’s side of the family gathers for an appetizer party and open presents.  Still at the age of 29, I bug my mom every year to make her famous mushroom and cream cheese puffs and her chocolate covered toffee I love so much.  I think there is something comforting about a yearly tradition and it’s something you’ll never outgrow and will always be special.

I’m looking for some fun suggestions of things that I could start with my daughter this year.  I’d love to hear about some of your holiday traditions or things you did as a kid you loved………who knows, it may just spark some ideas and become my new Christmas tradition!