In Maison Epperson, the Christmas festivities officially kick off on December 24. We always plan our Christmas Eve and Christmas day on what activities to do (Santa stakeout FTW!), what movies to watch and the menus for the holidays. By making some sort of schedule, it allows us to commit to family time and it’s easy to get everyone on board when it comes to celebrating the holidays. It’s also a great time for family traditions both old and new.
Here are some of our favorite holiday family traditions that really make it the most wonderful time of the year:
Cooking with the family
Menu planning for the holidays is a must. Planning ahead of time will help you decide what you can make in advance and store for later.
Print your holiday menu for a fun and festive touch. I used Kelly Wearstler’s stationery.
Enlisting the help of your family can take some of the burden off of you and create a fun holiday project for everyone. The more time that children spend inside the kitchen helping out the more chances they’ll learn how to cook and bake.
Aryanna’s slicin’ and dicin’ for some salsa!
Tom is the resident roaster
Roasted veggies for one of the salsa dips we made.
No-cook salsa
While we’re all busy in the kitchen, guess who’s chillin’ like a villain? Dylan is allowed to be on his gadgets during the holidays but still restricted and monitored.
Holiday tablescape
Setting the table is my favorite pastime! This year, I re-used one of my Christmas tableware and accessories and added some new pieces.
I like using unscented candles for the dining room. It’s all about candle lit ambiance but I prefer the scent of homecooked meals over scented candles when dining.
I super love the capiz Christmas trees that I found in Tesoro’s. They’re chic table top ornaments!
Beautiful brass and natural wood are my favorite combo!
When it comes to our Christmas dinners, we prefer easy, comfort food served in a fancy way—it’s fun and special! Our family loves cooking but hates slaving in the kitchen. Aryanna had a brilliant idea of doing a taco bar for Christmas Eve dinner. Best. Idea. Ever.
Level up tacos made from fresh ingredients. So good!
I hate tacos said no one ever.
What’s a taco bar without margaritas (and Aperol Spritz)! Tom and Aryanna being silly (not sloshed—they’re light drinkers) during dinner prep.
Cheers!
Come and get it Santa!
Christmas Snaps
Christmas morning belongs to the children. I really wanted to be in the moment but at the same time be able to capture fun moments with the family so I went a bit Snapchat crazy, haha!
Santa Claus came to town! Follow me on Snapchat: jenniepperson
Christmas for us is all about baking homemade cookies, playing game boards (we also got a new mini foosball table!), wearing pajamas and fluffy slippers all day and just lounging around.
Food and flowers pa more!!
Christmas dinner
Again, Aryanna had a great idea of cooking lasagna with my sister Maemi (she makes the BEST!!!) and baking cookies for our Christmas dinner.
Our Christmas dinner menu printed on Kelly Wearstler stationery. One dish, one dessert, and a whole lot of flavors!
They did a fabulous job in the kitchen. Family and food rocks!
I dub thee, “My Sister’s Lasagna”. It’s the BEST!!
Holiday style at Maison Epperson
Every Christmas I’m pretty sure that nothing could possibly top the day we had together. And every year I’m wrong again. Christmas is all about giving and making time because family time is the best Christmas gift ever.
Happy holidays everyone!
Comments 4
Hello Ms. Jenni,
I am a follower of your blogsite for 3 years now. what interest me most is your plato-platuhan, table setting and everything about and comes from the kitchen . I even have your book!
I write because I’m a cocktail person, and I have been looking for the your favorite drink Aperol. I am from Davao City and I can’t seem to find one here. I would like to know where you buy them coz I have plans in flying to Metro and hoping to bring home some!
I hope this is not a big favor to ask. Looking forward for you reply!
Thanks!
Author
Hi Jenny,
I’m glad you’ve been visiting my blog for years! I’ll try to blog about my new plato-platuhan and some new recipes.
Tom and Aryanna got me Aperol during their trip to Italy. As far as I know, Aperol is not available in Manila. Maybe you can ask friends to buy it for you in HK or other duty-free shops.
You can also try Campari (it’s available in liquor stores and groceries), it’s a good substitute for Aperol and just add Prosecco to make Campari Spritz.
Good luck!
Best,
Jenni
Thank you so much for your reply! I will try the Campari Spritz!
Your blogsite serves as my inspiration since then specially that I just have move in to our new house. I get a lot of insights from your posts!
Thank you for sharing!
Author
Hi Jenny,
Congrats on the move! Enjoy you new home and keep creating new, happy memories!!:)
Best,
Jenni