The Making of a Family Tradition or…How I Got My Son in a Snuggie

December 07, 2012

As a family, we have always had a lot of family traditions -- everything from apple picking to blowing up our Gingerbread houses on the Fourth of July. If we liked it, we made it a tradition.

My favorite family tradition began about four years ago, quite innocently really. It began with a threat. One evening my son and I were watching television when a commercial for the Snuggie came on. My son began voicing his opinion on the Snuggie, stating how he "hated" the Snuggie, that he thought it was such a "stupid idea," and that he “couldn’t believe anyone would ever buy one." He went on and on and on. While I, on the other hand, LOVE the Snuggie, and think it’s a great idea (I mean c’mon, a blanket with arms, how brilliant!).

So just to throw a little fuel on the fire, I told him I would buy him one for Christmas. Well, mission accomplished, that set him off. He said, "Go on and buy it. You’ll just be wasting your money because I will never wear it." Well that was all it took, I was going to get that boy in a Snuggie. So the wheels began turning; how was I going to do it?  What to do, what to do. Then it came to me, aahhhh (yes, I think I actually heard angels singing). The Themed Christmas! Yes, that was the answer; I would buy everyone a Snuggie (even the dog ). It would be the first gift opened, it would have to be put on, and a family picture taken. I knew this would work. I know my kids, and they will do anything for a present, even wear a Snuggie. Well before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve. As the family slept with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, I went about placing the Snuggies under the tree. In the morning as the family gathered, I informed them that this was not going to be our normal Christmas. No, this one would be different.

Now that I had their attention, I began handing out the gifts, followed by instructions to open it, put on what was inside, and be prepared for a family photo. So I watched their faces as they began opening the gift, and I must say, it did give me pause to see the great anticipation on their faces fade when the saw what was under the festive holiday wrapping. Well, the grumbling started immediately, followed by laughter as we all began making fun of each other. We had a great time, decided to keep the Themed Christmas, and started planning for the next year.

Since the Snuggie Christmas, we have had the Ugly Sweater Christmas, Crazy Christmas Hats, and this year will be Wacky Slippers. I know this tradition began as a power struggle between me and my son, but it is one of our fondest memories. That is what traditions are all about, making memories and having funny stories to pass down through the years.

Jessica A.
Platte City Branch