New Traditions

One of the best part of Christmas are the traditions--those things that we've always done that bring us comfort when the days get short and cold. Of course, as we get older, many of those traditions start to fade away. I've always made a special effort to be home for Christmas Day, but of course there are all sorts of things we did as kids in the days and weeks before Christmas that I haven't been able to do for a long time.

Of course, being a parent means that you get to start all new traditions with your kids. Abby had a pretty good grip of Christmas last year, but this is the first one where she seems to understand that it's coming. She had a very good understanding that Halloween was approaching, and if she can see the day coming, I think it's time for us to start some traditions.

Sharon and I were discussing the other day the idea of the two of us giving the kids a special present each year--something hopefully a little more long-lasting than the fun things that Santa will bring them (when they're good). Nothing too expensive, mind you, but something that comes from the heart and that hopefully they'll keep hold of for years--until they're teenagers and make a big show of not caring, but that day is off in the distance.

James Hance is a very skilled artist out of Florida who create a lot of pop culture mashups--combining various characters from different universes together in interesting ways. One print, in particular, has caught my eye for Abby:

In case you're wondering, that's Matt Smith's Doctor Who up in the tree with a young Amelia Pond below--two of Abby's favorite characters--in the style of Winnie the Pooh Alice in Wonderland. Maybe I'm over-reaching and thinking that she'll remember and keep it forever, but I think my eldest is enough of a big girl now to have something pretty to hang on the wall over her bed.

Of course, it won't hurt that Santa will bring her some fun toys.