Spending a little time creates memorable traditions

Blending Christmas traditions between my husband’s family and mine was difficult.

All of his family lives within Western Washington. My family is scattered over Idaho, California, Montana and Eastern Washington.

When we married, it was easier for me to adapt to his family’s traditions.

My husband’s family had the typical big family gatherings. Christmas Eve was spent at one aunt’s house. Christmas Day entailed a large breakfast before we all opened presents. Later in the day, a dinner would be held at a rotating relative’s house.

I was used to a more subdued Christmas. When I was 9, my family moved to Montana. Our Christmases were simple since we didn’t have relatives nearby. On Christmas Eve, we would go downtown and watch as Santa arrived on a fire truck. Santa would get off the truck, and we would line up for pictures and a chance to tell Santa all our wishes.

After we visited with Santa, we would get a small goodie bag and, while we ate candy, drank hot chocolate and kicked snow at each other, our parents would huddle in groups with their coffee or hard cider.

As families headed home, the empty streets were a reminder that Santa was on his way. On our way home, we would ooh and ahh over Christmas lights.

Once we got home, we’d open a small gift before bed. In the morning, I would race through the house at the crack of dawn and coerce everyone to get up. The only thing we had to wait for was the coffee pot, mom’s lifeline for dealing with flying wrapping paper and screams of delight.

I missed some of those traditions I grew up with, like a small family moment spent gathered around the tree.

As our oldest child turned 3, I really wanted to incorporate some of those traditions for him, as well.

Over the years, my husband and I have tweaked traditions from both of our families to create a Christmas that suits us all.

On Christmas Eve, we drive around and look at lights. Our last stop is always a home off Ridgewest which has a large pole decorated like a tree and strands of lights that drape from the top to the bottom.

Once we return home, the kids open a small gift before bed.

On Christmas morning, we open our stockings — a small, somewhat peaceful moment before the festivities begin.

My in-laws arrive early, and my sister-in-law and her husband make breakfast, a tradition that once frustrated me when our children were toddlers.

It was difficult to keep the boys’ attention off gifts while we ate and cleaned up.

Now, I appreciate the tradition. The kids are older and know the routine, and I cherish the time with family during breakfast.

It’s not easy to find a compromise that works for everyone, but, if it’s given a little a time, things tend to work out well.

Diane Johnson is a guest columnist for The Herald. She can be reached by email at dj.dianej@gmail.com.