The Working Momma Diaries: Fun Family Holiday Traditions to Try

Due to popular demand I'm continuing this series - the Working Momma Diaries - to share some of the things I've learned while balancing work and being a momma.

For those that don't know me well, I travel for work. I used to travel every week and took a role for the current year where I travel about 1-2 times a month instead. My husband also travels for work 100% of the week. Needless to say, we have spent the past few months figuring out a new routine and balancing crazy travel, airplanes, nap times, family time, bedtime, and trying to find time for friends and romance. I looked around and realized a lot of my momma friends work and figured I'd share some of the best tips I've learned from them and my time so far.

Today I’m sharing some of our favorite local Austin and general family traditions for the busy momma who wants to do fun things this holiday season but doesn't know where to start. My top ideas and links to more deets are below. Enjoy!

Local Family Fun Traditions to Try in Austin

1. Visit Elgin Tree farm and pick out a REAL Christmas Tree - we used to do this every year until last year when we got a fake one to reduce clean up with a babe.... but we LOVED it and recommend it to all!

2. Mozart’s Light Show - shows start every hour on the hour starting at 6pm! Great for more cocoa, coffee cookies and snuggles

3. Trail of Lights - we walk the path every year and the babe loves all the lights. This year, we are going to try the free trial in Wimberely (note strollers are not allowed)

4. Drive thru 37th street lights - fun to see the epic decorations from the warmth of your car

5. Holiday movie night - I have my girl friends over and we bake cookies or wear ugly sweaters, make mulled wine and play Hallmark or other Christmas classic movies during a girls night in

6. Christmas tree lighting and drinks date night at the Driskill- cause who doesn’t want to have a fancy date night out with $5 drinks and carols?

Other Holiday Traditions, Wherever you are

1. Read your childhood books to your children - We read our Christmas books every night from our childhood to our daughter; we saved ours and will save hers to pass down. It brings the magic into the season for us all

2. Christmas Pickle Ornament Hunt- true to our German heritage, if you hide a small Christmas pickle, whoever finds it wins a prize and good luck for the year! I always win it... just sayin'

3. Cookies, Carrots and Milk for Santa - duh! We bake them ourselves and started using a step stool like this one, so Addie can partake

4. Bake my Nonna's Christmas Pizzelle Cookies - recipe coming soon- get a small tin and some tissue paper, print out the recipe and the history of the Pizzelle (means small, round flaky cookie in Italian) and give to all friends and family

5. Wagon Ride Around the Neighborhood Lights- pack up the Radio Flyer with cocoa, blankets and coats and set out on an adventure thru your neighborhood magic wonderland

What are your favorite traditions?

xo,

KB