Happy Family Times ~ Christmas traditions

Carrie from Crafty Moms Share and I host  ~ Happy Family Times ~ so we can all share fun family ideas and hopefully inspire each other! So if you all danced one night, went for a walk, or enjoyed a special outing please link it up!

At the moment I am reading about celebrating festivals as a family...

 in Heaven on Earth: a handbook for parents of young children by Sharifa Oppenheimer

And this message stood out to me...

'For a young child, the preparation, the anticipation, the slow building towards the event is as important as the event itself'

Isn't this the truth! 

Although, I think this sentiment can extend beyond childhood...  *smile*

When I think of my childhood Christmas celebrations...

I can feel the excitement bubble up inside...

...as happy memories, but even more a feeling of happiness, come to the surface

And I want to share this magic and excitement with my children...

the way my parents did with me*smile*

So in the build up to Christmas I have been sharing...

... stories from my childhood Christmases

...and my memories aren't about the gifts I received...

it is about the warmth of family laughter...

a shared meal and a sense of belonging

~ it is about family ~

And now that I have my own little family...

...I hope to share this feeling with them

So in the slow build up of anticipation to Christmas we have...

♡ being reading Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers

♡ enjoyed classic Elvis Christmas carols 

and

♡ hunted for the perfect tree

We can't wait to see what your family has been doing!

~ please link up (family time oriented giveaways are ok, but please no Etsy shops)
~ use our button so others can join the fun (from the sidebar)
~ we'd love for you to follow us {Crafty Moms Share} and {Happy Whimsical Hearts}
~ check out our Happy Family Times Pinterest board where we will be pinning some of our favourite ideas

Warmly, Kelly