Creating a traditional Christmas

What exactly is a traditional Christmas?  Traditional is not antique,  it does, however, have some age to it. So a traditional Christmas experience may involve trying to recreate the experience of your childhood or even your parent’s childhood.

Christmas tree

One way to create a traditional Christmas experience is to go out with the family to a tree farm and actually cut your own Christmas tree. This is something that was done by families for many years. Conversely, it could mean putting up a shiny silver artificial tree, these have colored lights that reflect on the silver and are reminiscent of the time when many baby boomers were children.

Decorating the live tree can be done with popcorn and cranberry garlands that are made at home or with traditional ones that can be purchased at the store, it depends on how authentically traditional you want to get. Don't forget the tinsel, this is a very traditional decoration when trees were lit with larger colored bulbs, not the white ones that are so popular today.

Make your own ornaments

In the days before store bought ornaments adorned Christmas trees, ornaments were homemade. Garlands made from rings of construction paper, pipe cleaner candy canes, and pine cones hung on a ribbon, are all easy and inexpensive ways to add a traditional touch to your tree.

Bake Christmas cookies

While many people bake Christmas cookies every year, a traditional Christmas cookie can be cut with vintage cookie cutters. These can be found at antique stores around the world. If you have a hard time finding the vintage ones, replicas are available both in stores and online.

Window wax

To give your house a real old fashioned look, get a bottle or can of Window Wax and some stencils and decorate your windows. Whether it is Santa, some bells or the sleigh and eight tiny reindeer these are what you would have found on almost everyone's windows in the 1950's and 60's.

Wrap all the presents

In days gone by there were no gift bags. Every present was wrapped with bows and placed under the tree. The gifts from Santa always had their own special wrapping paper different from what was used to wrap the other presents. Make your own bows especially with the type of ribbons that can be curled. It gives the presents under the tree a beautiful vintage look.

Mom in an apron

If your idea of traditional is the 1950's then mom would be wearing a pretty apron as she cooks and served the Christmas dinner. Picture June Cleaver and you get an idea of the look.

Oranges and cloves

Pick up some oranges and whole cloves at the grocery store. Cover the entire peel of the orange with cloves and then place the oranges in a glass or crystal bowl. They will fill an entire room with the scent of the season.

Greenery

Greenery around the house is something that adds a warm touch. It can be garland on the banister, pine wreath on the door or a green sway on the mantle. Any use of greens adds a wonderful look and smell to your home. Family movie time

Movies

Watch all the holiday favorites in their original versions. The kids will love Rudolph and Frosty and A Christmas Story is always a favorite.  Versions of  A Christmas Carol go back over 70 years and Miracle on 34th Street with Natalie Wood and It's a Wonderful Life in black and white are traditional favorites.

No matter what you consider traditional, there are many ways to create a memorable Christmas experience.