Sunday, December 9, 2007

Traditions

Each year Mr. 5 gets a Nutcracker for Christmas. He loves them and keeps them on his shelf in his room all year long. So, each year I try and find one different from last year or one that pertains to something he has done or somewhere he has been and he is working on quite a collection.
I am looking for something to give Miss Priss each year that she can have and will enjoy getting each year. Does anyone have any suggestions???
Even though she is already two, I am not too far behind and I can play catch up this year. One of my friends received monogrammed sterling silver napkin rings. So now as an adult she has plenty to entertain with. I would love to hear your suggestions of what you do for your children or what you received as a child.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey there!
Growing up we always received new pj's and were allowed to open them when we returned from Christmas Eve service. I started doing that with my kids, but I really like to buy Hanna Andersson pj's and they seem to last for more than a year, so that didn't happen this Christmas.
KHE

Just Kiddin' Photography said...

BabyGirl gets a Madame Alexandra doll each birthday and Christmas. I try to get "themed" ones that relate to her likes at the time. It was a tradition that my mom did for me. My stepmom gets her a charm each year to go on a charm bracelet that she bought when she was baptised. By the time she's 16 it should be pretty full. This Christmas, she is getting the Fancy Nancy Madame Alexandra doll. Thank goodness I ordered it early...it's sold out now and selling on ebay for ridiculous prices. I'm almost inclined to sell hers and just get a different one!!! Bad mommy!

Ned said...

My niece receives a piece of silver each year. She now has several place settings. I am in love with Faberge egg syle ornaments. I now have enough to do a whole tree. One friend gives either Jefferson cups or mint julep cups each year. Have fun!

MEH said...

I love this idea - give her a special ornament each year and include the date on it and then when she is old enough and has her own tree you can give her all of the ornaments that you have given her over the years for her tree...

Or give her sterling silver bells each year and engrave her name and date on them and she can display those each year or on her tree as well...

clemsongirlandthecoach said...

My boys get nutcrackers also. What about snow globes? Or starting her a china pattern?

Belle said...

Growing up, we traveled with my Father's work so I wasn't around my extended family except for Christmastime. Since my Aunt only saw me then, every Christmas she gave me a Josef Originals Birthday Doll until I was 21 yrs old. I still have the collection and love to look at how unique each figurine is. Even though they're birthday dolls, they remind me of Christmas with my family.

southernsahm said...

First of all, I love your blog and have recently ordered some items from To Bee Named (thanks to your blog). I have a little girl (6) and boy (3). When my daughter was born, my mom started giving her two Waterford dessert plates each Xmas. They are beautiful, and I've already enjoyed them a few times! I have heard of people collecting old sterling b&b or dessert plates. My mom gives my son sterling mint julep cups. I love your idea of collecting the nutcrackers! Thanks for sharing your tradition!

sle said...

My son gets a new nutcracker from Santa every year as well! My daughter gets one of those Dept. 56 Snow Village houses or stores or churches. I have promised them when they get married they may take them at that time.(Although I may make the spouse sign a pre-nup!)

Olivia: (mostly) Happy Homemaker said...

What great suggestions! Tell us what you decide!

The 5 Bickies said...

I buy an ornament for each child each year. Some years I go for pretty, some years they incorporate their photo and other years have been silly to reflect their interests (ie: Dora this year for #3). When they get their own tree they will have quite a nice collection. My Mom did this for me in a more limited way.

I love the ideas that have listed here. Especially the idea of a placesetting of Christmas China each year. I adore my Spode Christmas China which is my mother's. She gave it to me because we host Christmas every year. We switch our china Thanksgiving weekend and use the Spode all month.

I'm with HH...let us know what you decide.

Somewhere Between Pinot and Pacifiers said...

My mom gives DD Christmas pj's every year too. I have thought about starting a tradition but haven't decided what either. I love Christopher Radko ornaments and have thought about those. Many of them are very thematic. What a beautiful tree they would make if you had a large collection of them! Can't wait to see what you decide!

Gabi said...

we do ornaments each year for the boys but started nutcrackers last year too. DH got an ornament each year and his stepmom made a monogrammed quilted box for him to store them in. When he left home he got the box. I have made boxes for the boys too, but will hate to say goodbye to the ornaments! Oh well, we still have plenty of time!

Katie said...

I give the girls the annual Swarovski crystal snowflake ornament every year. Katie

Suburban prep said...

My parents had a tendency to give each of us something that was special to just that person. (there are 7 of us). I received nutcrackers and a placesetting of my silver pattern. One of my sisters received her china pattern.

Anonymous said...

My mom did the Madame Alexander doll thing too.

Preppy Napkin said...

I love all of the ideas. I forgot that Miss Priss has a charm bracelet. (I need to get organized). So, I did get her a charm from the Homestead. I am leaning toward some sort of silver monogrammed. Hoepfully, I will do some pre-planning next year!

Three Dresses said...

These are great ideas! I have Reed & Barton Christmas Crosses from their birth year and may consider buying them for each year. I collect Steinbach nutcrackers for myself each year. Love them! I love the village and silver napkin holders idea. Glad I have 11 months to decide what to do for next year. :)