Since today is actually Christmas (Merry Christmas!!) I wanted to share our traditions for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I find it interesting - and fun - to learn about other people's family traditions around the holidays because we all have such unique things at times!
Let's start with Christmas Eve! Some of our traditions are more recent while some have carried through from when even Darryl and I were growing up!
- Since 2020 we have gone to my mom's house on Christmas Eve. Obviously during that year, a lot of the traditional Christmas Eve services were not held so we did something else that became one of my favorite nights of the year!. We go to my mom's where she prepares some wonderful snacks for us all to enjoy (we've been enjoying snacks for Christmas Eve since I was in high school - a favorite tradition!). My mom's house is lit with Christmas lights and candle light so it is so cozy and warm. She takes time to read the Christmas story before we open one gift. (This is a tradition that carries on from both mine and Darryl's childhood). Eventually we head for home. We usually stop downtown to get photos by the big Christmas tree before heading home to take photos in PJ's by the tree. I just love how it slows everything down and gives us time to remember the true reason for the holiday and enjoy just being with family.
Next up is Christmas Day:
- My mom joins us on Christmas. Just like when I was growing up, my guys get to open their stockings before we eat breakfast! It is a fun way for them to get a few things while waiting for us all to eat!
- I cook breakfast :-) I include Orange Julius and cinnamon rolls because those are things from Darryl's Christmas growing up. Once we finish breakfast and clean off the table it is time for gifts!
- Growing up we always opened one gift at a time which helped make Christmas last longer. We still carry that tradition on with our kids. It's fun to have time to see whatever everyone gets and, yes, it helps stretch out the morning.
- Once we are done with gifts, my mom usually packs up her things to go home for a bit. This gives her time to get her things home, let her dog out, and then come back for dinner.
- I cook Christmas dinner :-) There is no tradition to dinner - I've done a variety of things the last few years as I've tried to find the "perfect meal" for Christmas. This year we are having Lasagna, Salad, stuffed zucchini, stuffed mushrooms, and garlic bread. Everything is pretty easy! My husband is going to pick up his dad for the afternoon so I'll have plenty of time to get everything prepped and ready to cook.
After dinner we just enjoy being together, laughing, and eventually eating some dessert. My mom usually heads home before it gets dark and we normally settle down for the evening just enjoying the evening. I like to try and savor those last few hours of Christmas when everything slows down and we can just breath for a bit.
I pray that all of you also enjoy the beauty of the holiday no matter where you are!
No comments:
Post a Comment