Holiday Traditions from the Livin Right Team-Brad Bowman

My favorite Christmas traditions have changed up a bit since my sons have gotten older and Santa is not as busy around my house these days, but we do still enjoy watching our sons open their gifts. Since Santa is taking good care of the younger children, I have been able to spend more time in the kitchen! For those of you who don't know me, I am passionate about food and have many years in the restaurant business. 

Our Thanksgiving dinner is our very traditional Holiday meal consisting of a roasted turkey, homemade stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and one of my favorites and a must for our Thanksgiving is Krista's (my wife) dish, Cranberries in the Snow! The Cranberries in the Snow is one of the best things I have eaten!  Also, a special, easy trick on my green bean casserole is to use the Campbells Soup green bean casserole recipe and add a small amount of Soy Sauce to it. It makes a huge difference!  My Mom finally shared this secret with me and I have used it every since.  It is special now that she is gone. 

Since we do the traditional thanksgiving dinner, our Christmas dinner is everything that is not traditional.  The best part of our Christmas is being together, opening presents, Krista's home made Egg Nog and my Prime Rib and King Crab Legs.  It is really my favorite meal to cook all year.  I start the grill with hardwood charcoal immediately after opening presents, and then I season a whole bone-in beef rib roast with fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, celery salt and vegetable oil (to make it stick and caramelize).  The I slow roast it on a rotisserie over indirect heat, which adds a lot of flavor from the charcoal. I also make a horseradish cream sauce and au jus sauce. Next, I make the King Crab Legs with drawn butter and cook the twice baked potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Finally, I make my garlic bread. All of this really makes a great Christmas feast! For dessert, my mother-in-law makes a great dessert out of ice cream sandwiches, and what ever candy crumble she wants.  It's a sweet over load, but so worth it! My untraditional Christmas dinner tradition has become one of my favorite Holiday traditions!  

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.  Thank you from the Livin right team! 

Holiday Traditions from the Livin' Right Team-Kersten Bowman

A tradition that began while I was in grade school quickly became a local town favorite and is still in the works. Rounding the corner to our small, home town school (K-12th grade) you'll see a sign that reads: Santa Claus Photos December 23rd and 24th. Each Christmas, my parents open their front yard free of charge to people near and far, friends, family, and strangers to host a sweet and genuine Santa Claus photo shoot.  There is a long, wooden white ramp surrounded by lights, fake snow, four foot tall lollipops and candy canes, and the sweetest little elves hanging from the trees. The ramp leads to a huge white chair where Santa Claus awaits with a jolly smile and a, "Ho, Ho, Ho!".  It is the most charming winter wonderland you ever did see! Running and skipping down the street dragging their parents behind, kids of all ages line up to see Santa each year. The twinkle in their eyes when they see him is contagious! While waiting in line they get to pick out a few goodies my Mother brought in a basket. Candy, small puzzles, books, and coloring books are some of the surprises. 

Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras to take the picture with Santa.  As the children explain their Nice List to Santa in length, parents snap the best memories of their little ones. Christmas photos with Santa are a great reminder that children are born happy and innocent. Capturing these moments allows them to show us that the world is great, all people can be kind, and anything is possible if you just believe!  

My parents made Christmas all about family. They taught me that traditions can be carried on, or started new as long as you do them together. This year my daughter, Linley, gets to start new! We cannot wait for her to meet Santa Claus for the first time and experience Christmas morning in all its magical glory.  The memories she will make will last her a lifetime, whether they are simple or grand.  My favorite memory surfaces like new every year: As I walk down the stairs, I'm greeted by my Mother with a stern, but cheerful shout, "Wait! Don't move! Hold on. The pajama picture!". With a hard roll of the eye and impatient happy feet, the kids squeeze together with sloppy hair, matching pajamas, and cheesy grins to mark another wonderful Christmas Season down in the books! 

Holiday Traditions from the Livin' Right Team-Georgia Henderson

Holiday Traditions from the Livin’ Right Team

Georgia Henderson

Like many of us, the magic of the Christmas Season is one of my favorite times of the year. With two young kids of our own, we now have the opportunity to see that magic through the eyes of our children and it is truly remarkable. It has been so fun teaching our children about some of our favorite traditions from our childhood and establishing some of our own as well, and while I could go on forever, here are our three favorite local Christmas traditions.

Our hands down new favorite Christmas tradition is something we do on Christmas Eve. With some close friends, the past several years we have started a tradition of caroling and taking presents to Bob Hope Village and various non profit organizations, to many individuals who don’t have any other visitors at Christmastime. Over the past four years the tradition has grown every year, but we love having the opportunity to bless others in this way- taking them baked goods, presents, flowers, and more. However their favorite part is receiving hugs from all of the kids (about 15 total!) ranging in ages from 10 down to 6 months. Our children and all of the others truly love being a part and it is such a joy to be able to see them delivering love to others on Christmas Eve.

Another Christmas tradition that we all love is the Live Nativity put on by First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach. This holds a special place in my heart as my grandfather served for many years building the set for the Live Nativity and I also grew up going to visit, working it, and more. Now to see our kids and our friends’ children’s faces light up while seeing the animals, baby Jesus, shepherds, animals, and angels is something we look forward to every year. Most years we even end up getting kisses from a camel or a baby goat as well bringing lots of laughter!

Visiting the Luminaries at NorthGate Estates is also one of our very favorite things to do during the Christmas Season. Typically the second weekend in December, this year December 9th- 10th, there is very little that compares to the awe and wonder in children’s eyes when they see all of the houses covered in beautiful Christmas lights and decorations, some even dancing to our favorite Christmas songs! Our prayer throughout this Christmas Season is that you and your family enjoy the awe and wonder of this season through all that you do as well!