For this week’s entry to Shannon’s WFMW blog carnival at Rocks in my dryer I wanted to share a special Christmas tradition our family enjoys very much. It is short, easy, and - at least for us - provides a good opportunity to feel the Christmas spirit in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.

Every night, right before bedtime, we have a short Christmas song sing-a-long. It is only one song, but the kids look forward to it all day - probably because the sing-a-long includes that wonderful secret ingredient, a candle with an open flame. Anyway, the process is simple enough:

1. Every night each one of us (me, J., B.) has a special job. The jobs rotate through. (Don’t forget whose turn it is to do what or the pleasant ritual will turn into a major fight - I know whereof I speak!)
2. The first one up gets to light the candle.
3. The second person gets to choose a song (no matter if big brother HATES “Jingle Bells” or if we had it three days in a row) and we all sing it together (just be glad you don’t have to listen!)
4. The third person gets to blow out the candle.

That’s it. Very easy, fast (no more than five minutes) and still something Christmasy to look forward to at the end of the day.