Blogmas: Christmas Traditions

Every family has their own traditions, I know mine does. In fact, we have a lot of them involving Christmas. I know this might be a little weird, but I wanted to share some of them with you, to share a bit of what my holidays are like.

Every year on Christmas Eve, my family goes to evening mass (and let me tell you, it is packed!). I really do like going to Christmas mass because everyone is so dressed up, and it's an excuse to wear some outrageously cute dresses that you can't exactly wear on an everyday basis. When we get home from mass, we put in The Godfather. I don't exactly know how that tradition started, and it's a bit out of the ordinary, but it's not all about death (well kind of). The message behind it is about family being together and uniting. As we watch that, we get to choose and open one present. Once the present portion gets out of the way, my mum makes Christmas Eve dinner, which is the same every year: lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.
 
On Christmas morning, someone usually has to wake me up at about 6 in the morning (the horror!). We put on the yule log, make some cocoa, and play Santa. After the present portion is done, my mum bakes something for breakfast whilst I talk about my presents to my best friend, the internet (yes, I blog about my Christmas, but who doesn't? Just me? Okay...). Anyways, we have the Christmas music blasting and my mum bakes something yummy for breakfast. Later in the day we will watch It's a Wonderful Life. The day carries on from there, not really sticking to a certain schedule. We just hang out as a family and enjoy our Christmas day. :)

Blogmas: Winter Break Outtings

Tomorrow is officially the first day of winter break. And, based on past experiences, I know how boring sitting at home can get (some times over breaks I even wish I was at school). But I'm going to give you a few fun ideas that you can do by yourself, or with the family to stay productive over break, with enough time in advance to plan ahead.

Go see a movie. This is literally so simple, and honestly who wants to pay to watch a movie when you can do the same thing at home, right? Wrong. The experience itself of going out to see a movie is fun. Yes, there are people (ewww), but being in a theater makes it pretty safe to say you won't be having to deal with much of them. I remember as a child, going to the movies was one of my favourite things.


Go to the library. Again, really simple idea, but so efficient. Especially if you have a lot of little kids in your family, take them out for some quiet time. Getting to pick out a special book or movie will totally make their breaks a lot better. The library is such a great place for little kids (or munchkins as I like to call them) because it's fun and educational.

Build a fort. I know it's not really an outting, but it can be considered one if you're like "camping out" in it. I'm pretty sure my brother, sister, and I would build a fort just about every weekend when we were little. They're perfect and cozy. Once you get it set up, you won't want to take it down! Obviously, that's unrealistic to keep it, and destroying it is just as fun, because you know the next time you make it what you will do differently.

*Said in a valley girl voice* Go shoppinnnng. I consider us Minnesotans to be pretty lucky to have the Mall of America so close to us. It's pretty convenient to have such a big mall (and they're expanding it) for certain occasions; so many stores to choose from. If you've already spent all of your money for gifts, go window shopping. Get inspiration for DIY things (big advocate for DIY here).


My whole point is, you don't have to have a lot of money to go do something fun for the holidays. And you shouldn't have to feel the need to hit your family members after being cooped up with them for weeks. Go out and do something fun with or without your family. I can guarentee that these will help make your winter break a little less stressful

Blogmas: DIY Christmas Crafts

Christmas day is literally a week away. How we got here this fast, I have no idea. It seems like the year just began. Anyways, tomorrow is the first day off of school for me, and I'm assuming just about everyone else as well. With 7 days until Christmas, I think it's essential to have some decorations to show your holiday cheer. My mum is an assistant teacher for preschoolers and is always looking for some new crafts that will keep the kids busy, but are also fun. Below are some Christmas inspired crafts. And remember, you don't have to be little to have fun.

If you are as obsessed with Frozen as I am, you will love these Frozen inspired snowflakes. All you need is some mini craft sticks, paint, glue, glitter, and ribbon to make the most adorable homemade ornaments. I know this may seem childish, but that's what makes it so much fun. Throwback to when you were 8. Just stop worrying and Let It Go! (Sorry not sorry).

http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/





The door is the first thing you see when you're coming home, and the last thing you see when you're leaving. I can't emphasize enough how much better a door looks when it is decorated. There are literally endless possibilities: wreathes, ribbons, lights. The list goes on and on. I found this cute idea on Pinterest and fell in love with it, and I'm almost 18. Can you imagine how much fun this would be to an 8 year old?

http://princesspinkygirl.com/




I don't know why, but my mum has always collected corks. And I guess it's a good thing, because nowadays you see so many DIY projects involving corks. This is wayyyy too cute; it's a mini reindeer Rudolph made out of corks :) But the best part is it's an ornament!

http://www.topinspired.com/




For more cute DIY Christmas crafts check out Pinterest

Blogmas: Christmas at the Academy

Today's post is a little bit different. Instead of giving my bit of "holiday inspiration" I've decided to write about my day; well technically night. See, at my school there was an event going on called Christmas at the Academy. I was in charge of taking pictures of the event for yearbook. For the first few minutes after arriving I knew in my heart that I was going to be bored out of my mind, wondering how in the world I got roped in to doing this. Then it occurred to me, that I volunteered to do this, not to mention my sister took part in the singing portion. Anyways, after sucking up my inner annoyance at the world, I started to really get into the music and enjoy the performance.

There were two choirs that performed their own renditions of Christmas classics (which sounded like heaven. I know I always say this, but I can't emphasize enough how true it is!!!!!). After the singers were through, I stayed to watch the jazz bands perform as well, and I have to say I am quite impressed. They were perfectly in sync for most of the performance. This whole event took place in about 1 1/2 hours and it got me thinking, if you could leave all of your drama and commitments at home for less than 2 hours, wouldn't you do it? You don't have to have an excuse like taking pictures for yearbook to go do something fun to take your mind off of all of the holiday stress. Take time for yourself, especially during the winter season. After all, it is all about peace, love, and joy. Next time you need a break but are worrying about what will happen if you do take the needed time off, just think WWMD: What Would Maddy Do?

Blogmas: First Day of Hanukkah

I don't know how many of you belief in Judaism, if any at all, but today is the first day of Hanukkah, and I wanted to give another little history lesson. I'll try not to make this incredibly religious for those of you who don't share the same beliefs. Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is an 8 day celebration during the second century B.C. of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah's literal translation is "dedication" in Hebrew.

History of Hanukkah
The events that inspired the Hanukkah holiday took place during a particularly turbulent phase of Jewish history. Around 200 B.C., Judea—also known as the Land of Israel—came under the control of Antiochus III, the Seleucid king of Syria, who allowed the Jews who lived there to continue practicing their religion. His son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, proved less benevolent: Ancient sources recount that he outlawed the Jewish religion and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. In 168 B.C., his soldiers descended upon Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the city’s holy Second Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls.

Hanukkah Traditions

The Hanukkah celebration revolves around the kindling of a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the hanukiah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Jews typically recite blessings during this ritual and display the menorah prominently in a window as a reminder to others of the miracle that inspired the holiday.In another allusion to the Hanukkah miracle, traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil. Potato pancakes (known as latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot) are particularly popular in many Jewish households. Other Hanukkah customs include playing with four-sided spinning tops called dreidels and exchanging gifts. In recent decades, particularly in North America, Hanukkah has exploded into a major commercial phenomenon, largely because it falls near or overlaps with Christmas. From a religious perspective, however, it remains a relatively minor holiday that places no restrictions on working, attending school or other activities.

Facts found on http://www.history.com/