Oh Christmas Tree
Oh how we love
to sleep under thee!
Every year right before Christmas we pick a night and sleep under (or beside) the Christmas tree. We light a fire in our fireplace and grab our favorite snack and a cup of hot cocoa. We read a couple of Christmas stories and then lay down and TRY to get some sleep. Every one is pretty excited and silly. Amid the giggles and whispers are A LOT of unheard, “it’s time to stop talking now” statements by either my husband or I. After everyone settles in, we listen to my absolute favorite Children’s story, The Velveteen Rabbit, that we have on CD.
Here is a little sampling of the CD that I found on the internet.
Several years ago, one Christmas, my hubby suprised me with this amazing book on CD of The Velveteen Rabbit. The story is read by Meryl Streep and is accompanied by piano music from George Winston. I love it! It quickly became a family favorite and a tradition to listen to as we sleep under the tree.
Eventually everyone drifts off to sleep. Then the hubby and I (who pretend to be falling asleep with the kids) watch a movie together in the same room with the tree and the sleeping kids. Then when it is our bedtime, we join the kids under the tree. The next morning, we make a big yummy breakfast!
Do you have any fun Christmas tree traditions?
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Ashley says
That is such a cute tradition. My husband and I are just starting out our family and traditions so we don't have any quite yet. When I was younger, my brother and I would sleep in the hallway on Christmas Eve b/c we thought we would be able to hear when Santa came. We never did of course b/c we always fell asleep.
What a fun tradition! I know my kids would love it.
Aww, what a sweet memory and a tradition!!Love that idea!
Suzanne
I'm laughing because I just noticed how many followers you have…no wonder you don't comment back, that alone would be a full time job!
I too love The Velveteen Rabbit…i read it for all the years of my childrens growing up, over and over. I bought each of them the same book and the tradition go's on.
I spoke at my Mom's funeral and used the example of what the old horse said about being so loved and used that you loose some of yourself in giving. Reminded me of my wonderful Mom some how.
Your sleep-under the tree sounds like so much fun…I think you guys are great parents! Enjoy this season..come say hi?! :D
What a great tradition! I know another family that does the same with sleeping under the tree. This is my husband's and my first Christmas together, and we plan to start this tradition (which I'm way excited about).
I've always loved the Velveteen Rabbit too. Have the most AMAZING picture book of it. That is a great recording, thanks for sharing!
awww! what a sweet idea! i love the Velveteen Rabbit!
wow, what a great idea.
What a sweet tradition! I haven't read the Velveteen Rabbit in many, many year! I'll have to looks and see if I can find a copy here at one of the book stores!
I grew up in the mountains and every year my dad would put all 7 of us kids in the back of his pickup truck and we would drive around for miles in the snow to find the perfect Christmas tree. I remember being sooo cold, but too excited to even care. The tree always looked much more bare when we got it home but it didn't matter because it was our perfect tree!
I'm wanting to start this tradition with our boys this year. What a fantastic memory for the kids to have!
One thing we do have that the boys love is after opening presents we have a wrapping paper fight. They have a GREAT time!
We do that same thing, but I like the story and breakfast the next day! Thanks for always sharing wonderful ideas.
The Velveteen Rabbit is one of my favorites! What an appropriate story to read at Christmas!
What a wonderful tradition. I never heard about the velveteen rabbit, but I'll definitely check it out. Thanks for the tip!
I LOVE it! We have tons of Christmas traditions but this one sounds great! I think i’ll call it Christmas camping :0) thanks for the great idea. Everynight we open a wrapped Christmas book and read it as a family by the tree. we have collected a bunch of different titles some faith, some just for fun like Shrek the halls and some are the classics.