Traditions ... Do you do them or Not?

As many of you know I'm a nut about making traditions and making and preparing a meal to share with the family. Ever since I rented my first house I wanted to do the Holidays at my house. Me making all the treats and everyone showing up.

Christmas is the time of year I look forward to every year, a month before I start planning what I'll make and people sitting around opening presents and just being with one another.

3 years ago my parents said they were going to a 2nd cousins house of mine. I was crushed, I had the meal planned everything. I knew we had a family member who was ill they wanted to spend time with them. Now yes this person lives about 5 minutes from me and we can see them year round but I gave in. Yes with Rick pleading with me not to make a big deal. Ok just this one year! Then last year I did it to myself got all prepared and found out my parents were going to celebrate with this 2nd cousin and their family again. It took a while but I sucked it up (ok pretended to). I thought ok just one more year, but I kept my family at home and decided that I needed to make a new tradition.

So here we are again found out yet again my parents are going to the other families house instead of mine with the kids. I'm making my way to new traditions and enjoying the day with my husband and boys and of course the new boy! I can't say that I'm not bummed that my dream of this huge family get together at my house won't be happening. Along with not a big dinner since the boys are still young there sadly is no reason to make a big dinner. So even though I wish it was just a holiday party they were going to and spending the actual Christmas day with the kids I'm just going to sit back with my hot cocoa and just relax. Ok really I'm trying just let me pretend in my bubble. This year was less tears .... lol :).

Merry Christmas everyone! So now the big question: Tradition is it a big thing for you?