Holiday Traditions

Tuesday, December 20, 2016 4:30 AM

It is officially the week of Christmas and I couldn't be more excited! 
So Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate Christmas and Happy Hanukah to those who celebrate Hanukah. 

Due to circumstances beyond my control I will only have one post this week.  Actually my posts may be few and far between over the next few weeks. The weather has been very uncooperative recently, snowing and freezing or warmer and raining which makes it very hard to take photos. My father also has not been feeling well and while we think what is going on will be manageable it has been time consuming with appointments for my parents and worry for the rest of us. I like to devote 100% to Sparkle and Slippers and I feel like I just can not right now, it will have to take a back burner. 

One of the reasons I love Christmas so much is because of our family traditions...

Christmas Trash and Peppermint Bark
This is a tradition I started with my son a few years ago. Last year I posted about Christmas Trash, click here for the recipe. Two holiday treats we like to make together for his teachers and my co-workers. Easy and delicious!

Christmas Cookies
My mother always made cookies with us during the holiday season, usually the week of Christmas. Now she tries to make them with her grandchildren.  Rolling the dough and decoration with frosting and toppings. They love it, especially the little ones.

Seven Fish Italian Christmas Eve Dinner
Christmas Eve has always been my favorite.  In our Family Christmas Eve is almost a bigger deal than actual Christmas.  A huge feast made up of many kinds of seafood i.e. shrimp scampi, clam sauce, calamari, scallops, seafood casserole, etc.  While I am not sure we have ever had all seven fish, seafood is well represented.  This is an Italian/Sicilian tradition that has happened every Christmas Eve for generations within my family.  

 Christmas Eve Mass
For as long as I can remember my family has been going to Christmas Eve Mass. As children it was always the 4 PM Mass, when we got older Midnight Mass. There was always something about Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve that seemed magical. Now that we all have children of our own, we have gone back to the 4 PM Mass.

One Gift on Christmas Eve
Again, something we always did as children and now we do with our children. So much of the fun inspecting each package and trying to figure out the best to open. 

 Reindeer Food
 Those reindeer must get super hungry flying Santa all over the world to deliver all the toys.  
 Equal parts oatmeal and glitter.  While the glitter shimmers in the moonlight so Santa knows to stop at our house, the oatmeal provides sustenance for reindeer for their long journey. Nolan and I love to shake it all over our front lawn, right before bedtime.  We also make little bags for his cousins so they can feed the reindeer as well. 

Family Video 
I come from a very silly family!! We love to have fun. A few years back we made a video to a Taylor Swift's We Are Never Getting Back Together.  
It was extremely silly and fun and we try to make a holiday music video on either Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other holiday we are all together.  

What are your holiday Traditions?

  On to this Holiday look:
I feel like anything involving plaid, red or green and voilà holiday look!
 These pants are so fun and believe it or not can be styled so many ways. 
Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays!

xx, Elise













hat / chambray top / sweater / necklace similar  / plaid pants similar here, here and here  / heels

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38 comments

  1. Hi holiday honey! I swear this is one of my favorite outfits on you girl, those plaid pants are perfect and the red beanie just delightful! You look like a Christmas vision and I sure hope you have the most festive and glorious week gorgeous lady!!

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  2. Wow, it looks so cold there!! And you could not be any cuter for the holiday! Loved reading your traditions, because we have a few of the same ones!!

    Shauna

    www.lipglossandlace.net

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  3. You have some really great traditions!

    Candice | Beauty Candy Loves

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  4. I love your trousers, lady- so cute and festive! Also, that seven fish dinner sounds amaaaazing because I love seafood!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  5. What an adorable holiday look! I love those fun pants! Yes, photographing in winter can be such a challenge! Hope your father is doing better soon!

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  6. I love the Family Video tradition. You look amazing in this outfit.
    Nina
    Nina's Style Blog _ enter to win $60 Giveaway

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  7. I love opening one present on Christmas Eve. My family always gets pajamas on Christmas Eve
    -Kate
    katekoutures.blogpspot.com

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  8. Your Christmas Eve dinner with family sounds like so much fun. Love all your traditions and this outfit. It might be one of my favorites all time of yours! Those plaid pants are too cute and perfect with your red beanie. Merry Christmas!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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  9. You look amazing! I absolutely love those pants! And I need to try that Christmas trash!

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  10. Cutest look ever! Obsessing over those plaid pants! How fun is that beanie too?!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  11. What a cute look, I love your pants
    xo
    www.laurajaneatelier.com

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  12. I totally agree with the magic feeling at a Midnight Mass. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

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  13. Hello Elise, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my blog, I really appriciate it :) This is a fabulous and festive post! You sure have great style! Loving the bobble hat obviously! Much love and a very Merry Christmas! xoxo Shahrzad

    www.blonde-tea-party.com

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  14. This outfit is so cute and would be perfect for Christmas eve. I am in love with those plaid pants.
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  15. I am so sorry about your father, hope he gets better soon. Take some time for him. I get it, we are all so busy these days and the weather doesn't cooperate either.

    Thanks for sharing this post, your family has so many traditions. The seafood dinner is my favorite - so yummy! I also love your pants and this is the perfect Holiday getup. =)

    Merry Christmas to you Elise! Welcome by and linkup tonight, Thanks, Ada. =)

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  16. Merry Christmas to you!!
    You look fantastic in those pants!!
    And traditions are so comforting---although we usually mix it up occasionally!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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  17. Lovely look. Great way to style the plaid pants.

    Inez | My Small World

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  18. You look absolutely adorable! Those pants are perfect for Christmas and I love the beanie!

    Hope your dad gets better soon- so sorry he's having some health issues.

    Merry Christmas!!

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  19. Amazing!!
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: CHRISTMAS BEAUTY
    DON'T MISS: CASUAL CHIC WITH KNIT DRESS

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  20. Loving this holiday look, that hat is so cute and comfy! So sorry to hear about your dad, and hope he feels better soon *hugs*.
    Green Fashionista

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  21. You look so cute! So sorry about your dad :-( I hope he gets better soon!! <3

    Liz
    Www.lizzieinlace

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  22. Loved reading your traditions! I shared mine on my blog this week too! I forgot to share about all of the baking :)

    michellespaige.com

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  23. The weather has just been nuts hasn't it??? LOVE this cute outfit though - especially that beanie!

    Laura
    www.blackcoffeebeautiful.com

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  24. Christmas is indeed all about tradition... I love this post!


    - Cielo
    Mermaid in Heels

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  25. Cute outfit, Elise! Love the plaid pants and this whole outfit you put together :)

    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

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  26. I love those plaid pants, they are so festive! My family does the big Christmas Eve Seven Fish Dinner (though maybe with four fish?) and it's always my favorite part of the whole holiday. Christmas day definitely takes a backseat to Christmas Eve!

    Sorry to hear about your father, hope he's feeling better soon, and Merry Christmas!
    http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/

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  27. Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Happy holidays and a happy New Year. Great, cool outfit!

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  28. Such a cute outfit - I love it...especially the beanie and trousers ;-)

    Have a fabulous Christmas.

    xx Yvonne
    www.funkyforty.com

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  29. I am obsessed with how cute and festive your outfit is!! My favorite holiday tradition is Christmas cookies too - such a good one!

    Annessa
    www.seekingsunshine.com

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  30. Hi! Hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Wanted to let you know I am including you and this outfit in my Blended Blog features tomorrow as one of my favorites for the link up. ;-)

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    Replies
    1. I am so flattered Andrea! Thank you so much!!! Hope you had a wonderful Holiday! 😘

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  31. Swinging by to say I hope you had a lovely Christmas, lady!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ashley!! Hope you had an awesome holiday as well!!

      Xx

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  32. First of all you look stunning! I absolutely love this post so festive and makes me miss xmas already, really does. I cant believe it flew so quick! :( I wish xmas lasted at least a week!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Happy New Year to you and your family!! Dominica from www.its-dominica.blogspot.co.uk

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  33. You look stunning!
    The dress looks elegant.

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