It is such a joy to visit friend’s homes during the holiday season and see their decorations and what meaningful traditions they enjoy – from quirky to heartfelt. The Alamo City Moms Blog contributors compiled a mini-home tour to share some of their favorite Christmas decorations and traditions from their homes with you.[hr]

Megan

In October, I was one of 24 women who got an invitation from a girlfriend to partake in the “Meaningful Christmas” – a simple family devotional to help kids remember what Christmas is truly all about. The 24 of us were assigned one ornament theme (mine was a “vine”) and we each made 24 copies of our simple ornament (I spent less than $20). Then the 24 of us met for a girls’ night dinner where we exchanged ornaments leaving each one of us with 24 different ornaments and a small notebook with the simple daily lessons. Each night and sometimes every other night, depending on the craziness… the kids (ages 5 and 6) beg me to sit down and help them find the verse in their Bibles and hang their ornament. It is definitely something that we will be doing every single year now! You can get more information on how to plan your own party next year at A Meaningful Christmas. (A tip is to get 2 or 3 organizers together to help get 24 participants involved…. it was a great way to meet other mom’s of young children!)

  

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Brooke

I have always loved nativity sets.  They come in so many shapes, sizes and colors.  I especially love that different cultures have different interpretations of nativities so, years ago, I started collecting some when I traveled.  With each different country we visit, I look for the perfect one – a little unique and different from the ones we already have, and if possible, representative of the native art.  Others in my collection have been gifts and some I’ve found while out and about here in San Antonio.  Some are perfect for little hands to grab and explore, while others are delicate and fragile.  A few nativities are left out year round, others are stored away each New Year only to be rediscovered when the Christmas decorations come out.  I love our nativities because they remind me why my family celebrates Christmas each year – we celebrate the birth of Christ.

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Alvina

This is a special Christmas stocking that we hang near my kiddo’s room every Christmas. We write small inspirational words or messages on it since it has a chalkboard space. It is super special!

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Sarah

When I was growing up we didn’t go crazy with the Christmas decorations. We had blue lights on our trees outsides (complete with glass bulbs), and inside we had a hodge podge of store-bought tinsel, children’s school crafts and some beautiful homemade things from friends. This smocked ornament is part of the homemade collection I have. I don’t know who made it originally, but it was one of the things that I asked for when I got married. I love looking at this ornament. I reminds me of my family and being young. I also love that my kids can enjoy it now because it isn’t breakable!

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Taylor

Jeff and I got married on December 3^rd, 2005. Despite the balmy, 80-degree South Texas weather, it was a beautiful “Winter Wonderland” wedding, with dozens of crystal, silver, and white snowflake ornaments displayed among ice sculptures and curly willow centerpieces at the reception. These same ornaments now hang from the branches of our downstairs Christmas tree. We’ve added other ornaments over the years, of course, but the snowflakes form the basis of the entire tree; and every year when we put them on, we’re reminded that our little family of three began with those same snowflakes as well.

Another favorite holiday decoration in our house is the Texas/OU tree. We are a house divided—my husband roots for the Oklahoma Sooners while I will forever bleed burnt orange—and our Texas/OU tree and opposing stockings are a nod to our collegiate football rivalry. Every year since our first Christmas together, my husband and I have each added a respective team ornament to the tree. Others have been gifted to us by fellow fans. Until this post, I’d never bothered to tally the “winning” team in terms of which has more ornaments… The current score? Texas: 13, OU: 12. But hey, who’s counting?

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Kelly

I have been collecting these ornaments since Hallmark made the very first one in the series–1984! I was twelve years old then, and at the time, I was really into doll houses and miniatures. Every year we put them out on our dining room table and make a little winter scene with them. The kids (and other dinner guests) love picking them up and looking at the little rooms–almost every one has a tiny Christmas tree inside. I cherish these ornaments and look forward to receiving one in my Christmas stocking from my parents every year. I’ll be sad if this series is ever discontinued by Hallmark . I always change it up a little (different runner, different trees, etc.).

  

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Bridget

Putting up holiday lights is a favorite for us!  Another treasured tradition in my family is putting out this Christmas ceramic village, entirely hand-made by my grandmother (it’s actually twice the size of what is shown here). She displayed it every year in her home when I was growing up and several years ago she passed it on to me knowing how much I loved it. Dudette now admires and gazes at it the same way I did when I was her age and she can’t wait for me to put it up each year.

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Amy

I try not to get to attached to ornaments or decorations because they always seem to get destroyed, either by movers or children, but the ornament pictured has been in my family about forty years.  After some googling, I found out it’s an Avon scented ornament and would you believe it still smells!  I’ve always thought it smelled just like Christmas and check if it still has the same scent every year.

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What is your favorite holiday or Christmas decoration or tradition? We’d love to know! Share here or on our Facebook page!