You may have read in one of our other posts that a Crouch family tradition growing up was to read Christmas stories throughout December together. We would gather together in our living room and select various short stories to read out loud. One of my favorite stories from the collections we chose from was called […]
The month of December has so many fun and wonderful things to do! I also love that there are many opportunities to participate in meaningful traditions. A few years ago, I heard about the tradition of “give before you receive”. That is, donate some gently used items before Christmas Day. I thought it would be […]
Let me start by saying how grateful I am for my family. I have never been alone for Christmas, and I doubt I ever will be. My parents have spent quite a bit of money to bring me home for Christmas, and I am so happy they did. I did not want to be alone. […]
Dickens and Piney. Stumpy and Treebeard. What do all of them have in common? These are just some of the names of our families’ Christmas trees! I don’t remember naming our tree every year growing up, but somehow this tradition has trickled into many of our homes. It’s fun and simple and perfect for any […]
Okay, so this one isn’t a particularly unique tradition, but it sure is fun! We’d like to share some (actually 25) of our favorite Christmas movies and TV specials in case you’re in a Christmas movie marathon rut. Lots of cheesy Christmas goodness for kids and grownups too. We noted if the movies are currently […]
Mariah: I’ll never forget going with some college friends to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, and witnessing the moment all the Christmas lights were switched on. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen, the dreary evening suddenly bursting into color and glow. Christmas lights enhance the magic of the season, […]
Most of you have probably done some version of a Christmas Name Drawing before, whether it is with your friends, your family, or a Secret Santa setup. The basic principle is everyone’s names are put into a hat and each person draws one name. Whoever they draw out of the hat is the person they […]
So they tell you not to eat the yellow snow….(that’s some good advice right there!) But what about the other snow? I remember always playing in the snow with my siblings, building snowmen and forts, and making snow angels. However, there’s a lot less excitement for me now, especially because I was just hired on […]
It’s not just cliche–Christmas really is the season of giving. Like many other families we look for ways to serve even more during this time of year because, as the kindly gentlemen collecting donations in A Christmas Carol stated: We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, […]
Elf Yourself brings a good laugh into our home in December. Elf Yourself is a website owned by Office Depot. You upload pictures of yourself (and your family, friends, co-workers, dog) and the faces ends up as one of the dancers’ faces in a short, comedic musical video. You can have up to five faces […]
Gingerbread houses are one of the iconic parts of modern day Christmas. Most cities have gingerbread house decorating contests and many malls use elaborate gingerbread houses as decor for window displays. There is something so festive about the little homes frosted and draped in candies! Not to mention the cute little gingerbread people who they […]
You may have noticed by now that we Crouch girls love to bake. It’s a family thing. 🙂 Christmas is the perfect excuse to try out new recipes! There are parties, potlucks, family get-togethers, and all kinds of fun holiday get-togethers that revolve around food. I always make my favorites but also love trying new […]
Holidays are so exciting your first year of marriage. You get to choose traditions for a whole new family! My husband Joey and I received inspiration for one of my favorite Christmas traditions while we watched our first Christmas Devotional together 10 years ago. In that devotional, one of the speakers mentioned that President Thomas […]
***This Post contains affiliate links. I may get a small commission based on your purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting This Blue Dress! Mariah We had had a fairly warm Thanksgiving, but in my opinion, it is never too hot to whip up a steaming mug of chocolate to sip. However, […]
Looking for a fun Elf on the Shelf alternative or a simple tradition that helps your family focus on kindness? Tara and Maegan both use Kindness Elves in their homes in December. Check out their individual takes on this sweet tradition! Jingles the Elf (Tara’s Family) I wanted to do something different than the Elf […]
