Our First Christmas In Our Tiny House

Loads of gifts and Santa hadn't come yet.

Our family Christmas officially begins on Christmas Eve.  We try to get all of our gifts delivered to our friends and family before we head home to our traditional supper of homemade clam chowder, garlic cheddar biscuits and a nice big salad.  This year I surprised the girls with sliced pineapple rings (oldest daughter's favorite) and a can of jumbo olives (youngest daughter's favorite) in place of the salad.  They were pretty happy about skipping the salad course.

 

Once the dishes were washed and the chowder pot was put on to soak we bundled up and headed out in the car to check out the Christmas lights, another tradition.  We like to drive around for about an hour then head home to get ready for bed, check the NORAD site to see where Santa is at and set out a plate of treats for him.  About the time he is set to hit the east coast my girls scurry off to bed. 

Where's Santa?

Christmas morning the stockings were first and then we each took turns opening gifts so we can see what everyone gets.  Plus it drags it out a little longer.  This year, as always, there was no shortage of nice gifts.  While gifts were being opened I collected trash and bows, bags, boxes and tissue wrap that could be recycled and used next year.  It helped tremendously to keep down the clutter. 

We normally put our gifts under the tree when we are done opening them but this year, with space at a premium, we all put our things away afterward.  Then it was time for breakfast.  Cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, bacon and scrambled eggs.  Always a favorite.

 

The agenda for the day was pretty much to do whatever we wanted with no pressure to go anywhere or do anything in particular.  Getting dressed was also optional.  I settled in to do some writing after running a load of laundry and washing the breakfast dishes while the girls enjoyed their new treasures.  The girls called exception to me doing the laundry but it was already started so I had to finish it.  I don't like to fall behind because it takes me several days to get caught back up.  No fun. 

Dinner is different every year.  Sometimes I do a rib roast or we grill steaks.  This year the vote was for lasagna, rolls and green beans.  It was delicious and I love that there are leftovers to enjoy later. 

It's so good to be loved!

For our first tiny home Christmas we all agreed it was really nice.  We loved how everyone took into account that our gifts needed to be on a smaller scale too.  It really was a wonderful day.