Since it’s November now, it’s finally not too early to get excited about Christmas! The stores are full of decorations, Starbucks is serving their holiday flavors and Thanksgiving’s just a few weeks away. The Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year, with all the lights, the special family traditions, concerts, baking and music! I’ve already been listening to Christmas music for a few weeks now and can’t wait until the radio plays it full time! Most of all though whether it’s a happy season or not, it’s incredible that we can celebrate the Hope of the World, God willing to send His Son as a fragile baby, born to conquer sin and death, and make a way for us to come to Him. He made a way for us to be a part of the most thrilling, most powerful, most beautiful story that there ever was.

Even though it’s a little early for my family to be thinking about decorating, it’s not too early to plan and I’d thought I’d share theses pictures of our Christmas tea from last year. It’s been a special family tradition for a few years now and it’s so much fun to plan, decorate, and prepare for, and preparing a special dinner for your family during this busy season can be a meaningful blessing to them. Last year the table was decorated with white winter wonderland style, including handmade paper village houses (from a craft kit) that I covered in fine glitter, and light beige linen and white faux fur to create a table runner. The menu included Swiss mountain-style grilled cheese sandwiches, meatballs, macarons, mint marshmallow fudge cupcakes, cinnamon roll balls, baked crescent wrapped brie, hot pomegranate cider and eggnog chai.

What are some of your favorite traditions from the Christmas season? I’d love to hear about them!