Tonight we celebrated the second night of Hanukkah. I’m pretty sure Princess Peach has no clue what is going on. She has been dressing up in party dresses and she admires the candles as they are being lit. She seems so focused when she sees a candle burning. We have seen lots of family on both of our sides this weekend which has been really nice.
Last year was Princess Peach’s first Hanukkah. With that came a lot of discussion on how The Hubster and I want to create traditions within our own little family unit. Creating new traditions means either merging what you did as a child in your family, forgetting what you did in your family as a child and creating new and meaningful memories together that will hopefully last forever. We decided that Princess Peach would receive 8 gifts, one on each night of Hanukkah. Last year we were OK with this decision and this year I’m not so sure. I just feel like it’s total overload and although she is too young and doesn’t understand what is going on I just feel like it’s too much. Over the last two nights Princess Peach has received so many incredible gifts I’m considering keeping the rest of the gifts I bought for her. Our family has been so generous that I’m not sure that she will appreciate all of the new toys/gifts she has received if we give her more. I think I need to rethink my presents for next year and maybe incorporate “theme” gift nights where maybe one night is “pajama night”, another night is “book night” or maybe adding in a few experiential gifts such as seeing a play/musical, going to a water park etc. I think as she gets older I would like to add in giving to others and making donations to charity so that other children less fortunate than Princess Peach can feel as lucky and special as she does.
One tradition that we will be keeping is lighting the Menorah as a family together every night! We will eat latkes although I think I have a stomach ache already from eating too many. I also started the tradition last year of taking a picture of Princess Peach with the Menorah each night of Hanukkah or at least Princess Peach and the Menorah separately for memory sake.
First night
Second Night
How do you celebrate holidays in your family? What are your special family traditions?
Happy Hanukkah!
It’s my daughters first holidays…and I don’t know where we are going to put all the toys we bought her. I think as first-time parents we went a little overboard. OH and her birthday is pretty much a month after Christmas. I think she seriously has the most stuff in our place now.
I love your idea with the photos!
Last year we went overboard as well!!! But it is so much fun for their first holiday! I’m trying to come up with creative ways of storing her toys in various places/rooms around our house so we aren’t over taken by toys everywhere!
Having a holiday and first birthday close together is going to be gift central for Hannah!!!! I’m sure she is going to love all of it. Princess Peach tends to love the wrapping and boxes more than the gift at first!
I’m really not into gifts for Christmas, birthdays. I know that sounds weird but kids get gifts from everyone in the family which equals a lot of stuff. Andrew and I decided just to get Ellington one small thing for each occasion. He still ends up with way too many 🙂 although I’m always OK with books. My own bias.
I’m all for books!!! She has SOOO many books already it’s pretty crazy. She loves to read so I’m always happy adding to her library because I know how much she already loves and appreciates books.
I completely understand your concern with the gift overload. This was my son’s 2nd Hanukkah also and he’s already gotten SO much stuff! He’s going to get a tiny gift from us every night, but all the other family members have been spoiling him way too much. I’d love to get money for his savings account, but I know that’s weird to ask. I think I may return some of the gifts or donate a few…
I agree. I would love to ask for moving or gift cards but its an awkward conversation that people may take offense too. I find people like to buy a gift to watch the child interact with it!