Green the Season: Making Memories

Since having kids I've noticed that we go above and beyond to celebrate the heck out of Christmas. We go to every school event, class play, party, cookie exchange, white elephant, Santa appearance, tree lighting, Christmas caroling...well, you get the point.

I'm not sure exactly why we waited until we had kids to do this because I love it! I love being filled with Christmas spirit until it's pouring out of my ears. I love spending time with family, making memories, and creating traditions.

Daisy Scout cookie exchange

This year we've spent the least amount of money on Christmas gifts, but the most time on Christmas activities. I have to tell you it's much more fun and fulfilling than when Christmas was all about stress and shopping and finding the perfect gifts and spending the right amount of money on everyone.

Last weekend was our Third Annual 5280palooza. Each year the Denver Chamber of Commerce organizes Mile High Holidays where the hotels downtown offer rooms for $52.80 (5280 being one mile high). When else can you get a hotel suite downtown for 5 people for $52? So we pack up the family and meet up with friends to explore the city, eat good food, and see all of the lights in the big city.

This year Mimi took all of us on a Polar Express-like train ride with Santa which was amazing!

The kids wore their pj's, had hot cocoa and cookies, visited with both Santa and Mrs. Claus during the one-hour ride, got candy canes from Santa's helpers, ornaments from Santa - it's even snowed for us! It was a perfect night and, let me tell you, this was the REAL Santa. There was no question about it!

We lingered a bit after the ride, taking photos and enjoying each others company. As we headed to our car, Santa and Mrs. Claus came out to the parking lot to leave, so we snapped a photo with them both. The kids thought it was amazing that they were driving a car instead of a sleigh and we had to come up with a quick "The North Pole is so far away that they probably have to stay here in a hotel tonight instead of going home."

This week we'll be potato stamping our brown gift wrapping paper, making a gingerbread house, meeting with some old friends for dinner, making reindeer food, hanging stockings and baking cookies for Santa. I love this age(s) and, although I know things will change as our kids get older, I suspect that we've begun a new tradition of making traditions that will carry on for years to come.