Our Christmas "Traditions"

Alex and I have only spent one Christmas together as a married couple.  But we are attempting to make our own traditions as a "family" so when kids enter the picture we have something to go off of.

Last year was a bit of a rough holiday.  Alex and I made the decision in mid November that he should quit his job at Zumiez {which he loved but it just wasn't working for our needs}.  So he was without a paycheck for a while.  He did get a job in early December but he wouldn't be getting paid until January - so finances were pretty tight. So we basically only got each other one or two inexpensive presents.

This year we plan to go about gift giving the same way, just one or two. {not necessarily for financial reasons, but because we just aren't that into huge extravagant presents}.  Some people might think that makes Christmas lame but we will be happy!

As for stockings, we are trying to carry on the traditions of our own families.  Alex always got a movie in his stocking and I always got an orange.  And of course, we both got a lot of candy. So that is our stocking strategy {we each are in charge of getting the stuff for each others stockings so it will be a surprise}.

One thing we did last year after opening presents was watch "Christmas Vacation". We plan to continue this tradition because 1) it's a funny movie and 2) it's a funny movie. {That sledding scene gets me every time!}

We split up the holidays between our families {Christmas Eve with the Harris family and Christmas day with the Kastelers, which we alternate yearly}, but we do try to stop by for a quick visit on Christmas morning to exchange presents.

Things will definitely change as we add kids to the equation {like how early we open presents, stockings, gift givings, etc.}, but it is fun to start our own little traditions!

What are your traditions? Have you started something new?