The Farm Wife Sagas

Traditions are a big part of my life. I love keeping them, adding to them, and, much to my husband’s amusement, creating brand-new ones any time inspiration strikes. I’ve always been that person. The one who gets excited about doing the same thing every year because to me, it’s never really “the same thing.” It’s another chance to make memories, gather our favorite people, and remind myself that the ones who show up to help these traditions happen are the ones who matter most.

Now, does it drive Colton a tiny bit crazy? Of course it does. He gives me that familiar look every time I say “Okay, so next year let’s add…” It’s the face of a man who knows he’s about to participate in something festive he didn’t ask for, but will absolutely end up doing anyway. Poor man didn’t just marry me. He married my traditions, and now he’s fully stuck with both.

Our friends laugh when I bring up yet another thing to add to the list, but they’re just as invested as I am. They show up. They participate. And they keep coming back, which tells me they secretly love it as much as I do.

This year has been the best year of traditions yet. Partly because our group is growing and we have three friends expecting babies within the next five months, so next year’s traditions will come with tiny feet, diaper bags, and sleepy parents running on caffeine and Christmas magic.

But the biggest reason this year feels different is because of VJ. My little mini-me is officially the Chief Tradition Officer of this house. She is all in. She’s begging her daddy to carve pumpkins, go hunting, put up Christmas lights, and start all the holiday fun long before I can even suggest it. Colton thought he had his hands full with my enthusiasm, but now he is definitely outnumbered.

🎁This is the year she understands Santa.

🎁This is the year she proudly tells anyone who will listen about Jesus.

🎁This is the year she has her own little Christmas list, even if it’s really just one very specific thing she’s set on.

And it’s the year every tradition we’ve ever loved suddenly feels bigger and more magical because she’s right in the middle of it.

I’m not the only one excited to ride around and look at Christmas lights anymore.

I’m not the only one who could watch Christmas movies every single day.

VJ lives for Christmas movies. She will proudly tell you which one we are watching next, which snack belongs with it, and exactly where each of us belongs on the couch. Daddy’s spot is assigned whether he chose it or not.

There is something really special about watching the things you’ve cherished for years grow right along with your family. Seeing VJ light up in the same moments that always meant the most to me feels like experiencing the magic all over again. And even if he pretends to grumble, Colton never misses a single tradition. Even when he rolls his eyes on the way to the car for a Christmas lights ride, he is still the one grabbing the keys. Even when he says he doesn’t care about holiday movies, he’s the one bringing snacks. He may not have asked for all this tradition chaos, but he is in it with us every single time.

And maybe that’s the best tradition of all.

Here’s our tradition starter pack, the simple moments that make the season feel like ours every year:

🎄We always get a real Christmas tree and track pine needles all over the house.

🎄We collect ornaments from everywhere we travel so our tree tells our story.

🎄Colton and VJ have their Christmas movie nights watching all the old classics while I soak in the tub and enjoy my own version of holiday peace.

🎄We go on weekly rides to look at Christmas lights and point out every house that “goes all out.”

🎄We decorate Christmas cookies and somehow end up with sprinkles in places no sprinkles should ever be.

🎄We host a friends holiday party with a yearly theme, and this year’s theme is choosing a country and bringing a dish.

🎄We play Dirty Santa and the competitive spirit always comes out.

🎄And this year we started Elf on the Shelf, even though we aren’t completely sure what we’ve gotten ourselves into.

And if you’re reading this and thinking you don’t have many traditions or you’re just getting started, here’s the encouragement: traditions don’t have to be fancy, perfect, expensive, or Instagram-worthy. They just need to matter to the people doing them. Start small. Start messy. Start with whatever makes your family laugh, or slow down, or smile a little bigger. Because one day, those tiny moments turn into the memories your kids talk about when they’re grown. And that, more than anything, makes every tradition worth keeping.