My kids are 12 and 6 now, and I still haven't found a Christmas Eve routine that I love. We spend Christmas Day with family. They are just a bit too far to visit on Christmas Eve too. Since it can be a work day, John typically works at least part of the day (and I used to when I worked in an office). So it's been tough to come up with something . . .
But, we do have some traditions that hold fast:
For the last several years, the boys and I build a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve Day.
Everyone gets to open a present - there is a pair of pajamas and an ornament for everyone.
We take a family picture in front of the Christmas Tree in our new pajamas.
After dark, we sprinkle Reindeer Food on the lawn for Santa's reindeer.
Before bed, we put out a plate of cookies & milk for Santa with some carrots for his reindeer too (if we remember to by carrots!).
After the wrapping is done, John and I sit back, admire the tree and count our blessings for another year.
What are your favorite Christmas Eve traditions?
catch you soon -
I came from twitter to find that French toast casserole recipe!
ReplyDeleteOh Eva - it's a Paula Deen recipe - I will have to post my take on it - thanks for the idea! =) Hope you have a very Happy New Year!
DeleteHillary
My family would drive around the countryside looking at Christmas lights, then make s'mores in the fireplace. After we went to bed, Santa and the Christmas Fairy would arrive. The fairy would sprinkle magic dust on all the presents Santa left under the tree. The presents would be invisible until the sun's first rays hit them. She'd also leave PJs outside our door. When the sun was up and we all had our PJs on, we could wake up mom and dad to open presents ... but not before, or the presents would disappear!
ReplyDeleteHeather I love that! Two things we just didn't get to this year was heading downtown for the Holiday shows and driving around to look at lights - I'm bummed about it and missed both those things!
DeleteHappy New Year and thanks for stopping by.
Hillary
I was a bit sad this year because I wasn't able to cook our Christmas Eve traditional dinner - the Feast of the 7 Fishes. There's not much family here to enjoy it. But, I try to keep as many of the traditions as possible. Yours sound like fun and make me miss the times when my daughters were younger.
ReplyDeleteBut perhaps Young meant to become ordained online depict Xmas Day many years later rather than the original Christmas Day! The Bible doesn't mention that it was snowing on the original Christmas Day. It does snow in Bethlehem.
ReplyDelete