Holiday Traditions and a Great Dip Recipe to Share

The Party Deck all Decked Out for Christmas!

Sometimes, I think I love all of the decorating and parties leading up to Christmas more than I do the holiday itself, especially as I’ve gotten older and we’ve lost so many we used to celebrate with.

This past weekend was all about the traditions my husband and I have built during our 27 years of marriage.

When I was a kid, we put our décor up around my birthday, towards the middle of the month. I think that tradition was a holdover from my mother’s German heritage, as her family didn’t decorate until the 24^th. Our tree usually came down on New Year’s Day or the day I returned to school.

Dale’s family, on the other hand, always decorated Thanksgiving weekend. His step-mom was typically ready to take down her tree the moment we left their house on Christmas Day.

The Belle Writer's Studio All Ready for Christmas

Since Dale typically has more time off during Thanksgiving than any other time until Christmas, we’ve always put our décor up over the weekend.

I added two new wreaths this year and some more color to the studio with simple ribbons. I had a lot of fun decorating.  A lot of our friends don’t do it anymore, especially if their kids don’t come home, but like I told Dale, I do it for ME.

I love looking out into the dark forest and seeing the glow of our Christmas lights against the woods. I even have them set on timers to come on early in the mornings, so I can enjoy them at both ends of the darkness during the day.

We always have a tradition of watching our favorite Christmas movies as well. We both love “Christmas Vacation,” and Dale also has to watch “Lethal Weapon” (hey, the plot line does take place during the holidays).

Food is also an important part of the holiday. When we had our two exchange daughters, we fixed tacos early and then had a taco pizza for a snack during the movies. Now, Dale and I will just eat a large (healthy, to make up for the calories later) lunch and have the taco pizza as a dinner/snack during the movies.

If you’re going to any holiday parties this season, this has been a winning recipe around our house for over 25 years:

Taco Pizza

8 oz. softened cream cheese (I use the cream cheese substitute now and it tastes just as good)

1 batch of homemade guacamole from 1 avocado or one small container of store-bought

¼ cup of homemade or all natural taco sauce

3 bunches of green onions, chopped

1 large green pepper, diced

½ cup shredded Mexican or sharp cheddar cheese (or cheese substitute)

¼ cup of sliced black olives (optional)

1 bag of all natural taco chips (or make your own)

Spread the cream cheese on a large dinner plate. Spread taco sauce and then guacamole. Sprinkle diced onions and green pepper. Sprinkle on shredded cheese, and if you like (we don’t), add black olives. You’re done and have a great dip for the whole family to enjoy on holiday movie night or to take to a party this season!

What are your favorite traditions leading up to the Big Day?!