Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in New Orleans, LA

I'm rather excited about Christmas this year. For the first time since moving to New Orleans eight years ago, I will be spending Christmas Day in the Crescent City. This means establishing new traditions for my family.

Another exciting prospect is that this will be the first year that my eldest ,who is three, will have some idea of what is going on. At the very least, her anticipation will grow throughout the month as "the Christmas" approaches. She is already demanding daily trips to Home Depot to see the decorations ... what until we take her to City Park!

Here are a few of my traditions that I plan on continuing or establishing this year.

1. City Park's Celebration in the Oaks. I'm looking forward to walking around the lighted trees again this year. Somehow I've missed it the last two but it's important to me that we do something local that the kids will remember as part of the annual festivities.
2. Santa. After much deliberation, we are committed to Santa 100%. We will be setting out cookies, hanging stockings and preparing the chimney for his arrival.
3. Decorating the tree. We'll turn on the Christmas music, pull out the ornaments and decorate the three as a family. There was something wonderful about rediscovering my favorite ornaments and finding the perfect spot for them on the tree every December.
   
4. Bonfires. I have been wanting to see the Christmas Even bonfires along the Mississippi levee since I first heard about them years ago. The practice of lighting the way for Pere Noel is centuries old and a must-see for us this year.
5. Pancake Breakfast. After opening presents every year, my mom always make pancakes and bacon for breakfast before we trotted out to see the extended family. This is a tradition that I will happily continue.
   

Be sure to check out the blog on the main page of Savvy Source for more annual rituals that other families around the country will be practicing. What are some of your NOLA traditions?