When we were on our honeymoon we had some long talks about family traditions and ideas for our first year of marriage. We wanted to start some fun special annual traditions. Since our first Christmas we've had the tradition of making a fort a week or two before Christmas…. it's called Fort Christmas. So this year we built our special fort and added a new tradition to the mix…
I loved the idea of 12 Dates of Christmas (inspired by Rockstar Diaries). We each wrote down six small dates, mixed them up and sealed them! Each day we will have a small date to enjoy… they are simple things that will make these next twelve days extra special. I can't wait to open them each morning! xo. elsie
119 Comments
Eee!! Elsie you’re so creative and inspiring – I can’t wait to get married so I can share my creativeness with my man. Love the Fort Christmas idea and the 12 days idea – so cute!! You guys are the sweetest couple! 🙂
Looks like a magical time will be had by you and the hubs! We’ve been married almost 10 years, and three kids later we’re still trying to get some Christmas traditions in place. How perfect to start right away!
I absolutely adore this! I think my love and I are going to do this for next year, since we’re moving in really soon. 🙂 Thanks for the adorable inspiration.
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline
Aww! What a fantastic idea. I’m getting married next year and might have to do something similar for our first year of marriage. New traditions are so fun!!
Sarah http://comingunstitched.blogspot.com
Your life always seems to be days of never-ending adventure, creativity, fun, and love! You have been my most inspiring role model since I discovered your blog. 🙂 Jeremy is a really cool hubby – you are both lucky to have each other. I wish you both more happy christmas traditions!
this is one of the sweetest ideas I’ve ever seen!! This year due to major business takeover we both decided for Christmas to gift one another a special date out–these are the memories worth more than any gift 🙂
This is such an adorable and romantic idea!! Love it! Since I’m pregnant and don’t feel like doing much (ha) I will have to do this with my hubby next year!
SO CUTE. that is just adorable. one day, when i have a super sweet boy in my life, I am TOTES stealing that idea.
xo, gemma http://lllovelovelove.blogspot.com
This is awesome! Things tend to get really really busy around the holidays, so I think this is a good reminder that the holidays are really about love, family, and togetherness. I’d like to start more traditions with my new family too!
Awww…my hubby and I do something similar every Christmas season, except we start from Dec 1 (drawing it out a little longer :). It’s always fun to think of new activities each year!
I just found your blog and it’s amazing! Creativity is all around the corner!
What a new lovely tradition.. A good idea to keep a new warm family together.. Have a lovely dates!!
Brilliant! Such a fab idea. I would love to tweak this idea to make it like an advent calender, one thing everyday for all of December. Spending time with the boy is way better than chocolate…and yes…you read that right!
This is a really lovely idea, Elsie! I’m a not-quite-newly-wed (3 years) but we’re spending our first Christmas away from our respective families this year and we’re trying to create new traditions for our little family too! Sarahx
this is such a cute idea, I love it!! one of the best traditions to start, I’d say. even better than getting a piece of chocolate in your advent calendar every morning. so sweet!
Gorgeous!
I used to get so confused by the word ‘fort.’ To me a fort is a castle or some kind or a stronghold against the enemy.
In Australia we call a this kind of fort a ‘cubby house’ or ‘cubby’.
Both terms are cute and this tradition is cutest of all.
the boyfriend and i have been talking about traditions we want to have and i’m not gonna lie, i’m pretty sure i’m going to steal this idea =) its so simple, but very important.
I love it! & luckily I haven’t met that special someone yet so I’m just gathering ideas and then when its our turn to start traditions maybe we can encorporate some of your lovely ideas!
super cute idea! this would be really fun to do with kids too.
what i wouldn’t give for just one date with my hubby! with 4 kids (youngest is 6 months)dates are few and far between. enjoy all these special times together!
This is seriously adorable. 12 dates of Christmas! Awe! I love it! There is also nothing better than building a good fort lol.. I’m bringing up the 12 dates of Christmas to my husband tonight! 🙂
This is an incredible idea! I love creating new traditions and having a daily surprise date would definitely something I’d like to make an annual event. Love it!
aww that’s so cute and such a great idea. i have been living with my partner for almost four years now and sometimes you get in your comfort zone or we’re too busy with our daily lives that we forget just how much a date together is needed. Thanks for this! x
i just LOVE the twelve days of Christmas tradition, funny thing is I had the same idea! so nice to know other wifey’s out there are on the same wave length! please share more of your adorable outings!
I love your idea!! I have been married for 5 years now and in that time we’ve had 3 children (5 year old girl, 3 year old mixed-twin) so little time for ourselves. But your idea is going to be introduced next year in our family. Thanks4sharinG!!!!
I told my boyfriend about it and we decided once we get our own bungalow, we’re going to do it too. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas…i cannot wait to do them myself!
I love this! And after reading this post I had a discussion with my boyfriend on how we don’t have enough time to spend with eachother. We have very busy lives and forget to take time out of our schedules for just the two of is. We took this idea and started a new years goal. Each envelope is a date or something we always wanted to do togethe. We plan to open the 1st of each month! Thank you for the inspiration! I can’t wait for Jan 1st!
I got really emotional reading this post! It is so amazing to read your story. I’m extremely inspired and as a reader I’ve enjoyed being distantly along for the ride!
Love the Fort Christmas tradition and the 12 Dates of Christmas. Our tradition is driving around our neighborhood to watch the Christmas lights. Also, we watch The Polar Express every single year while eating popcorn and cinnamon rolls.
On Christmas-day, we stepped along the stream while the chicken was preparing in the your oven. We were satisfied and never a believed of absence approved through our thoughts, and we were especially thankful of having each other. We noticed how lucky we were as so many were single and had no one to convert to.
119 Comments
Eee!! Elsie you’re so creative and inspiring – I can’t wait to get married so I can share my creativeness with my man. Love the Fort Christmas idea and the 12 days idea – so cute!! You guys are the sweetest couple! 🙂
Hope you’re having a great week!
Natalie Brooke
Looks like a magical time will be had by you and the hubs! We’ve been married almost 10 years, and three kids later we’re still trying to get some Christmas traditions in place. How perfect to start right away!
I absolutely adore this! I think my love and I are going to do this for next year, since we’re moving in really soon. 🙂 Thanks for the adorable inspiration.
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline
This is so unique! I can’t wait to start some amazing and fun traditions once I’m married. Looks amazing!You are just so dang creative
How precious!!! Love everything about this.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
Oh goodness! I think my husband and I are going to have to start this!
That’s an awesome idea! Enjoy your first Christmas as a married couple Loulou Downtown
Super sweet idea! It’s important to make time for dates, even when you live together/are married 🙂
seems nice 🙂
-Georgia
http://swonderfulgd.blogspot.com/
What a precious idea!!!
Love it!
Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter
so sweet…i have to show this post to my boyfriend…
Aww this is such a cute idea!! I think next year my hubby and I will start an advent calendar with cute little ideas in them =)
http://julies-thisandthat.blogspot.com/
This is such a great idea! Have an amazing Christmas as a newly married couple!
love this idea! so so sweet 🙂
I LOVE the 12 dates of Christmas!! It’s the cutest and sweetest thing! I can’t wait to do that someday when I find someone special! 🙂
you guys are so cute!!
http://www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com
love this idea!
Love your traditions, they’re so sweet. The twelve dates of Christmas is a brilliant idea! Hope you two have a wonderful December. :]
Aww! What a fantastic idea. I’m getting married next year and might have to do something similar for our first year of marriage. New traditions are so fun!!
Sarah
http://comingunstitched.blogspot.com
That is a lovely idea.
Such a lovely idea!
Tempted to try it ourselves! Though it will have to be 11 now 🙂
I really wanted to do this 12 dates of christmas thing but i don’t think we have all 12 nights still free 🙁 such a cute idea though!
That was one of my favorite things when we got married. Making up our family traditions. So much fun!
– Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/
such a cute idea! i am officially inspired!
kristen
mikie and kristen
This is a really great way to stay organized around the season and its super cute!
-andrea lynne rose
http://madmus.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like.html
Oh how cute! My husband and I are a doing a version of this too…the 8 dates of Hanukkah 🙂 so excited!
Brooke
thebebebirds.blogspot.com
I also saw the idea of 12 dates of Christmas and totally loved it <3
love new traditions too!
Perfect! Fort Christmas. How fun!
I so admire the lovely, creative activities and traditions you and your husb do together. They are inspiring.
whosthisani.blogspot.com
such a cute idea!
http://www.style-extraordinaire.com
I love your idea of 12 dates of Christmas! Holidays can get so hectic w/gatherings and families that you forget about doing stuff alone.
Your life always seems to be days of never-ending adventure, creativity, fun, and love! You have been my most inspiring role model since I discovered your blog. 🙂 Jeremy is a really cool hubby – you are both lucky to have each other. I wish you both more happy christmas traditions!
🙂
Marichit
the fort Christmas is such a cute tradition!
that’s a really great idea!!
Oh my gosh this is such an adorable idea! I wonder if my hubby would go for this.
http://littlemisslj.blogspot.com/
this is one of the sweetest ideas I’ve ever seen!! This year due to major business takeover we both decided for Christmas to gift one another a special date out–these are the memories worth more than any gift 🙂
Andrea
This is such an adorable and romantic idea!! Love it! Since I’m pregnant and don’t feel like doing much (ha) I will have to do this with my hubby next year!
awww! i love this!! what a sweet idea!
kate 🙂
http://agreatmanythingsblog.wordpress.com/
This is too cute! Will definitely be trying a version of this with my boyfriend! <3xo
o my goodness I love this….I started 12 days of Christmas with my boyfriend today…where I give him little gifts with little sayings everyday…so fun 🙂
grace
http://herumbrella.com
SO CUTE. that is just adorable. one day, when i have a super sweet boy in my life, I am TOTES stealing that idea.
xo, gemma
http://lllovelovelove.blogspot.com
This is awesome! Things tend to get really really busy around the holidays, so I think this is a good reminder that the holidays are really about love, family, and togetherness. I’d like to start more traditions with my new family too!
love it. 🙂 http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
I love it.
xo,
Kim
Very cute! Your blog makes me wish for the same type of fairy tale marriage!
That is the cutest thing ever! Love this idea!!
Catherine Denton
Awww…my hubby and I do something similar every Christmas season, except we start from Dec 1 (drawing it out a little longer :). It’s always fun to think of new activities each year!
AMAZING!
what a fun idea and a cute way to celebrate your love and the holidays
Amy
cute, cute and cute! enjoy the special moments!
How awesome! This is super inspiring.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS IDEA – this is my first Christmas as a married woman, I might have to do this!!
That is so sweet! I wish I had thought of something like that with my hubby.
That is such a lovely idea! You and your hubby are just so wonderful. You always inspire me and make me smile, thank you so much for that 🙂
Good luck!
skinnymoonstick.blogspot.com
what an absolutely romantic and sweet idea! hope your first Christmas together as man and wife is magical!
xo,
Lo
http://unapologeticallycute.wordpress.com/
I love this idea…..sounds like something my Hubby and I would also enjoy♥
Love the idea!!! You two are so cute!!!
I hope I remember to steal this idea next year when my soon to be husband and I will be living together!
I just found your blog and it’s amazing! Creativity is all around the corner!
What a new lovely tradition.. A good idea to keep a new warm family together.. Have a lovely dates!!
Love the idea of little dates!
Since getting married, my husband and I have really enjoyed creating our traditions (this is our second married Christmas!).
My favourite is opening our presents to each other on Christmas Eve- we can really enjoy it then as Christmas Day is so hectic with family!
Brilliant! Such a fab idea. I would love to tweak this idea to make it like an advent calender, one thing everyday for all of December. Spending time with the boy is way better than chocolate…and yes…you read that right!
What a great idea! I think I’m going to “steal” it too! 😉 Oh, Elsie, you never fail to inspire me! 🙂
Awwwww…! That is so lovely! How exciting to plot family traditions for your newlywed life together.
What a lovely idea!
This is a really lovely idea, Elsie! I’m a not-quite-newly-wed (3 years) but we’re spending our first Christmas away from our respective families this year and we’re trying to create new traditions for our little family too! Sarahx
http://theaccidentalhoarder.blogspot.com/
this is such a cute idea, I love it!! one of the best traditions to start, I’d say. even better than getting a piece of chocolate in your advent calendar every morning. so sweet!
Cute!
http://sztukastudiowania.blogspot.com/
Gorgeous!
I used to get so confused by the word ‘fort.’ To me a fort is a castle or some kind or a stronghold against the enemy.
In Australia we call a this kind of fort a ‘cubby house’ or ‘cubby’.
Both terms are cute and this tradition is cutest of all.
That is so perfect!!! lovely!
What a great idea – I will have definitely have a go at “12 dates of Xmas”.
super post 🙂
I love this idea! so adorable!! I will have to try this out!
so. stinkin. cute!!!
Amazing pics and ideas!!! 😉
That is such a great idea! We will have to try that next year! 🙂
Fort Chirstmas!!! So fun, it’s as if you two have insurance on the fun factor in your marriage. Cute. Inspirational.
the boyfriend and i have been talking about traditions we want to have and i’m not gonna lie, i’m pretty sure i’m going to steal this idea =) its so simple, but very important.
Oooh this is so cute. Thank you for sharing! I think I might steal an idea or two there…
Maria xx
http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
You are by far the most creative person ever! Love this idea!
That’s so cool! Maybe you could share some of the date-ideas here on the blog? I’d love to do that with my love next year:D
I love it! & luckily I haven’t met that special someone yet so I’m just gathering ideas and then when its our turn to start traditions maybe we can encorporate some of your lovely ideas!
Thank you!
super cute idea! this would be really fun to do with kids too.
what i wouldn’t give for just one date with my hubby! with 4 kids (youngest is 6 months)dates are few and far between. enjoy all these special times together!
This is seriously adorable. 12 dates of Christmas! Awe! I love it! There is also nothing better than building a good fort lol.. I’m bringing up the 12 dates of Christmas to my husband tonight! 🙂
http://itsawant.wordpress.com/
wow, very cute pics!
X
http://asterisque5.blogspot.com
You’re so cute!!
http://missbobino.blogspot.com
That is so freaking cute! I love 12 dates of Christmas! I also love the added traditions of the holidays especially with your special someone!
This is an incredible idea! I love creating new traditions and having a daily surprise date would definitely something I’d like to make an annual event. Love it!
Bobble Hat
LOOOOVE it!
what a great idea!!! 🙂
This is the CUTEST idea ever.
You guys are just so stinking cute–it is so refreshing to see you lovebirds on cloud 9 all the time.
Stop over to my blog to see a fashion video I made in Holiday outfits with a Vintage twist!
XO
http://www.hourglass-fashion.blogspot.com
aww that’s so cute and such a great idea. i have been living with my partner for almost four years now and sometimes you get in your comfort zone or we’re too busy with our daily lives that we forget just how much a date together is needed. Thanks for this! x
Omigosh, I absolutely love the 12 Dates of Christmas!! Loving all the photos ♥
http://thepinkpsyche.blogspot.com
i just LOVE the twelve days of Christmas tradition, funny thing is I had the same idea! so nice to know other wifey’s out there are on the same wave length! please share more of your adorable outings!
You’re so creative! XOXO, http://www.NatalyasCloset.com
What a great way to celebrate! You are so creative and talented;)
I love your idea!! I have been married for 5 years now and in that time we’ve had 3 children (5 year old girl, 3 year old mixed-twin) so little time for ourselves. But your idea is going to be introduced next year in our family. Thanks4sharinG!!!!
This is sooooo god for lasting love. Enjoy. I will “copy”, but I think after Christmas since my husband is in Tokyo for a week!”
Another nice idea.. have a wonderful holiday.. love the blog!
This is such a great idea and way to keep focused on the relationship during the busy holiday season. I must try this!
ELSIE! I LOVE THIS.
I told my boyfriend about it and we decided once we get our own bungalow, we’re going to do it too. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas…i cannot wait to do them myself!
<3 much love
Allison
So cute. Love doing small things like this with my Mr to.
What a wonderful idea! I love this…and am stealing it for next year, our first married Christmas. 🙂
love the idea, simply adorable
Love this!
http://www.mykitschworld.blogspot.com
Great idea and tradition to keep for a lifetime 🙂
Such a lovely idea, wish I could do something like this!
I love this! And after reading this post I had a discussion with my boyfriend on how we don’t have enough time to spend with eachother. We have very busy lives and forget to take time out of our schedules for just the two of is. We took this idea and started a new years goal. Each envelope is a date or something we always wanted to do togethe. We plan to open the 1st of each month! Thank you for the inspiration! I can’t wait for Jan 1st!
this is really one of the best ideas i have ever heard : ) cute.
I got really emotional reading this post! It is so amazing to read your story. I’m extremely inspired and as a reader I’ve enjoyed being distantly along for the ride!
this is one of the best ideas I’ve ever read… thanks for the inspiration!
Love the Fort Christmas tradition and the 12 Dates of Christmas. Our tradition is driving around our neighborhood to watch the Christmas lights. Also, we watch The Polar Express every single year while eating popcorn and cinnamon rolls.
adorbsable!
Creating traditions sounds amazing!
So SUPER charming!!! LOVE IT! My husband and I have been married 6 years…we definitely need to introduce this to our relationship!
Did you just cut up remnant fabric for the garland? Beautiful!
Oh my gosh! I totally love this idea!
http://www.guccibagsjapan.com/ 苫小牧海上保安署によると、釣り客４人はいずれも登別市桜木町に住む釣り仲間で、死亡したのは自営業の中原和彦さん（６４）と会社員の門田富夫さん（６４）。行方不明は無職の菊池久男さん（６５）。船長の沢田さんと、アルバイトの渡辺博文さん（６７）は低体温症の症状があるが、命に別条はないという。
Very useful ideas you have shared here. Amazing! I appreciate that. Thanks for sharing this incredible stuff.
Love this idea. So cute and sweet. You are really so amazing and creative. Thanks for always inspiring through your posts!
On Christmas-day, we stepped along the stream while the chicken was preparing in the your oven. We were satisfied and never a believed of absence approved through our thoughts, and we were especially thankful of having each other. We noticed how lucky we were as so many were single and had no one to convert to.
Sensational! Very amazing and useful stuff you have posted here. Thanks for sharing this fabulous stuff.