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Chrysalosity

a flourishing lifestyle

Setting (and Keeping) Christmas Traditions

December 23, 2019 · LIFESTYLE

Setting (and Keeping) Christmas Traditions

I love starting traditions.

Actually, starting new family traditions has been something I've enjoyed the most over the (almost) six years that Austin and I have been married. He will tell you that at almost every holiday or special occasion, I've tried to make traditions a regular thing. The problem: they don't always stick the way I wished they would.

We've done everything from carving pumpkins at Halloween (lasted one year) to sharing what we're thankful for at a nice pre-Thanksgiving meal (again, I think it lasted once). There have been a few flimsy Christmas cookie decorating sessions and staycations on our anniversary, but nothing that really stuck from year to year, despite my best efforts.

Whether you're a super-extra wife like me or a mom that wants to create special memories with your family, you totally get this struggle. We get ideas in our minds of things that would be fun for everyone to enjoy, but somehow our ideas don't stick from year to year as people and priorities change.

 

Why don't our traditions stick?

It's simple, really. Often I catch myself trying to force an idea that seems festive and fun on a hubby that has no interest in decorating cookies for 2 hours or scooping out sticky pumpkin guts. Instead of  coming to terms with reality, we want to create movie-like, Instagram-worthy moments that our loved ones might not actually enjoy.

If you want to create a lasting family tradition that has everyone excited from year to year, keep it real with who you are as a family. Are you a family that loves to laugh? Are you active? What is your family dynamic? How can you relate to all age groups and genders in your family? These are the most important questions to consider when planning family traditions. Forget about what other families are doing - they're not you!

 

Our (One!) Lasting Family Tradition

Austin and I are food lovers, and we LOVE us some Mexican food! We started the tradition of Feliz Navidad back in 2015, and we've continued it every year since then. We'll change it up by doing salads, tacos, and nachos - we even did takeout last year since we were in a rush - but it never seems to get old. We find that it's a nice change of pace from the typical meat & potatoes meals we often eat at Christmastime.

Feliz Navidad through the years...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feliz Navidad usually consists of fun margaritas and sangrias, but this year will look a little different with the baby on the way! Tonight's Feliz Navidad meal will feature tacos, red and green chips and guacamole, and Mexican hot chocolate. (Also considering going to Party City to find a sombrero party hat for Sadie Belle... we'll see!)

We listen to Latin Holiday music while we prep the food and eat, followed by opening our gifts from each other. For now, it's a very simple tradition with just the two of us, but I'm excited to see how it will evolve over the years as our family grows!

And that's the beauty of this tradition - it's simple! Nothing is forced, and it's meaningful enough to both of us that we've kept it alive throughout the years of our marriage. So should you try Feliz Navidad as your next family holiday tradition? Maybe. Or maybe not! Figure out what your family cares about and craft it into something special to you.

 

Feliz Navidad, everyone!

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Fall Fashion Finds | Day 16 of #30DaysOfBlogging

September 24, 2019 · LIFESTYLE

Fall Fashion Finds | Day 16 of 30 Days of Blogging

It's no secret that fall is the season for fashion!

Fall in Kansas City usually starts out like summer, so it takes some serious dedication to pull off the fall look without breaking a sweat! I love the fun patterns, warm colors, and cute accessories of fall fashion.

I've but together a lookbook of some adorable fall fashion finds. Click the images below to shop and get your wardrobe ready for the season!

Happy Shopping!

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Fall Fashion Finds | Day 16 of 30 Days of Blogging

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15 Fun Fall Activities on the Cheap | Day 15 of #30DaysOfBlogging

September 23, 2019 · LIFESTYLE

15 Fun Fall Activities on the Cheap | Day 15 of 30 Days of Blogging

September 23rd is the First Official Day of Fall!

In honor of making it to day 15 of the #30DaysOfBlogging challenge AND the first day of fall, I'm bringing you 15 fun fall activities you can do on the cheap this season. I've been counting down the days until today, so I'm very excited to get a jump on all the fall fun!

Whether you're looking for inexpensive date ideas, family friendly activities, or a fun outing with friends, this list will inspire a season of fall festivities. Now get out there, enjoy the cooler temperatures and warm colors, and celebrate the best season of them all!

 

Take a Hike!

Find a local nature reserve and lace up your hiking shoes for an afternoon hike. Early October is the perfect time to enjoy the foliage, and what better way to do so than to get lost in the trees at your local nature reserve or arboretum?

 

Have a Bonfire

Cool evenings are perfect for cuddling - so snuggle in a little closer to the fire and roast a s'more!  There's nothing better than swapping stories and eating gooey, golden-brown marshmallows while enjoying the changing seasons.

 

Get Lost in a Corn Maze

Drive out to the country and be prepared to get lost! If you're looking for a fun outing with friends or a playful date night, navigating your way through a corn maze is the perfect solution. And if you love a good scare, check out a haunted corn maze for an extra dose of spooky!

 

College Football Watch Party

Okay, so going to the big game isn't exactly cheap, so why not host a game day watch party of your own? Complete with nachos, burgers, cold drinks and backyard games, you can enjoy the tailgate festivities without the price of the ticket.

 

Check Out Your Local Fall Festival

Parades, vendors, live music... these are all sights and sounds you can find at a fall festival. Celebrate the season by supporting local businesses and taking the kids out for some family fun.

 

Oktoberfest

Don't be confused by the name - Oktoberfest is a German celebration that begins late September. You can expect traditional German food, music, dress, and of course, beer! It might just be the perfect way to kick off the fall season!

 

Watch an Outdoor Movie

Why not enjoy your next date to the movies outdoors? Find a local drive-in theater, a pop-up movie in the park, or host your own in your back yard with a projector screen!

 

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

What better way to enjoy the season of pumpkin everything than to take the family out to the pumpkin patch? You can find the perfect pumpkins to decorate or carve, plus it's the perfect way to enjoy the weather and changing colors.

 

Check Out a Local Winery

Vineyards are beautiful at this time of year! Enjoying a glass of good wine is even better while enjoying it in a beautiful landscape. Get dressed up and enjoy a sweet date night with your significant other!

 

Go to the Farmer's Market

Support local farmers, vendors, and artisans while also enjoying new seasonal products at the farmer's market! I love discovering seasonal veggies, flowers and foods at the market, then going home and making fall goodies with my market finds!

 

Visit a Cidery or Orchard

Pumpkins can't take all the credit for fall flavor! Visit a local cidery or orchard to pick your own apples and check out all the best apple delicacies of the fall season. A nice, warm cider on a chilly afternoon just might be the best comfort drink of all!

 

Have a Spooky Season Marathon

Fall is spooky season! For some, that means haunted houses and scary movies. For others (myself included), spooky season means watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown or having a marathon of every Halloween episode of The Office. Movies can be a great way to spark tradition!

 

Make Your Own Caramel Apples

Who needs all that candy when you can make a sweet treat of your own? Skewer a Granny Smith apple, cover it in homemade caramel, and coat it in melted chocolate and toppings! DIY caramel apples make for a fun family activity or a perfect date night in.

 

Search for the Perfect Couple's Costumes

If you've got a costume party coming up, finding the perfect costumes can be challenging - and expensive! Head to your local thrift store to try to create your own costume. Sometimes, stores like savers will put together costumes from thrifted items for you. Whether you're going with a date or flying solo, there are plenty of ways to create your own costume on a budget and have fun doing it!

 

Host a Friendsgiving Party

Friendsgiving is a relatively new tradition, but it's one that's here to stay. Gather your friends and host a potluck, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other goodies. It's the perfect way to get the whole gang together while also celebrating the season of Thanksgiving.

 

 

Happy fall!

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15 Fun Fall Activities on the Cheap | Day 15 of 30 Days of Blogging

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About Me

Hi, I'm Rachel! I'm a millennial wife and mama loving life in the Midwest. Follow me for lifestyle tips like balanced food, accessible workouts, and personal growth inspiration!

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