When families try to make traditions for their kids it can be extremely difficult to mix traditions that both parents grew up with, with ones that they would like to have for their new family. At our house there are two holidays that we always have at our house and they are Easter and Thanksgiving. On both days we all take part in making the holiday dinner.
For Thanksgiving we do something a little different. I started this one when my sister and I were grown up and she had her own children. I started taking the kids to the movies on Thanksgiving. Sounds weird but Thanksgiving is a great day for the movies, after everyone has eaten and the football games start we would load up the car and head to the movies. There is always a new family movie out just in time for Thanksgiving and the kids really love going to the movies.
For our family we have some conflict when it comes to how we spend Christmas Day. When the kids wake up they are allowed to open their stockings and watch TV, but not touch the presents under the tree. When we get up we start making our breakfast pie and then we start opening the presents. I never understood the idea of loading the kids up and going house to house on Christmas Day. When the kids wake up and see all the presents and open everything do you really think they want to leave their presents, get in the car and be gone all day visiting? We welcome anyone who would like to come to our home but we do not go out on Christmas. We usually end up watching a movie, playing game, snacking all day just relaxing and enjoying our kids. The kids are the best part of the holidays, watching the excitement and happiness of Christmas on their faces is priceless.