Hi friends! How’s December treating you so far? I’m loving this season so much! I’m currently watching the Kasey Musgraves Christmas Show, my baby boy is napping next to me on the couch, and our Christmas tree is lit up and beautiful. I’m feeling all the holiday cheer! Having a newborn during the holiday season is just as much fun as I hoped it would be.
I’m a sucker for a good holiday family tradition. I love how the ones that are started really early in life have become stuck in my memory like glue. For instance: my mom made the same homemade holiday candy every year to give out to our friends and family, and I love my memories of standing on a kitchen stool and helping her dip peanut butter balls or stir peanut brittle.
And now that I’m a mom, I’m thinking of the holiday traditions that I want Milo to remember from his early years. And to be honest, I’m not quite sure what they’ll be…so I’m just trying everything I can this year to see what sticks! I made this giant checklist of Christmas activities in Austin, and I’m doing my best to cross off most of them this year. (And if you’re looking for Christmas ideas in Austin, click here.)
Last Sunday, we went to the Zilker Tree Lighting ceremony. I love how quaint this little event is, because it makes Austin feel like a small town. There are no high-tech gadgets or big flashy productions here..just a prelude from the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, a performance from a cute little children’s choir, some classic fair treats like kettle corn and funnel cakes, and a countdown to the tree lighting.
Thank God that the cold weather came just in time for the tree lighting! We walked from home, and this little man was bundled up and asleep in his stroller the whole way.
Kettle corn for everyone!
There’s about an hour of programming before the main tree lighting event. It’s all completely lackluster, and like I said before…I love it. 🙂 It’s totally the type of thing you’d find in a small town square, yet it’s happening in one of the fastest growing cities in America. I think it’s absolutely precious to hear the volunteer-based wind ensemble and watch the cheesy, endearing choreography in the children’s choir. It’s all very “Stars Hollow.”
My new little family of three! These two boys have my whole heart.
My in-laws were at the tail end of their Thanksgiving visit with us, so they came to the tree lighting with us. I love Milo’s cute little expression he’s making toward his grandpa. 🙂
All is calm…
…all is bright.
Ok, honestly…this Austin holiday event is very simple and definitely geared toward families. (There were lots of little kids running around!) Like I mentioned, it’s sweet and simple and not something that’s going to “wow” you, but I think it’s still a fun tradition. (We’ve been twice now, and I plan on going back next year when Milo will be toddling around.)
Wishing you lots of holiday cheer!
