I've had so many over the years (remember, I'm the ancient one of this gang) starting with my childhood tradition of waiting until Santa came and then not being able to get into the living room and our gifts until our folks woke. Believe me, we did everything to wake them up.
I better back up a bit, we also went to family friends to go Christmas caroling and have homemade clam chowder and mulled apple cider.
On Christmas morning, after we opened all our gifts, we headed over to my Grandparents for dinner and more gifts.
When our kids were little we did much of the same, heading down to my parents the night before Christmas, and the same routine. We veered off course a bit the year I was expecting my third child at any time--then everyone came to my house for Christmas dinner. Not sure if I was the one who cooked. Baby arrived on the 28th.
One year I had to work a split shift and the kids opened their gifts before I got home. I was really unhappy. We ate dinner out. The only Christmas dinner we ever had in a restaurant.
When most of my family moved up here, grandparents had passed away, we had Christmas Eve at our house complete with Santa and a gift for everyone, including the ladies I was caring for by that time.
We soon out grew even my big old house and held Christmas Eve in the rec room where one of my nephews and family lived in a mobile home park. I think we were probably up to about 60 people by then.
My sis and her entire family moved to Las Vegas and that ended our Christmas Eve get-together.
The adults at our church always have a Christmas party where everyone brings one ornament and we kind of fight over them and of course we have goodies to eat.
Another tradition that's been going on probably about 20 years is the writing critique group I belong to will have dinner together in one of the nicer restaurants, spouses invited.
Hap and I retired from the care business, but we still have family around. So this is what happens now: Son and his wife and his two grown sons and another grandson who lives with us will have a nice dinner Christmas Eve and open gifts.
On Christmas Day I'll cook a big turkey and some big containers with dressing, candied yams and green bean casserole and take it all over to the church. This is our second year to invite anyone who has no place to go for Christmas dinner--no charge. We had a great time last year and are expecting an even bigger crowd this year. Posters have been put up all around town. My son and his wife, granddaughter and her fiance have already volunteered to help.
So Merry Christmas to you all, and be sure and enter our contest.
Happy Holiday $$$ Giveaway
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
Thanks for sharing your Christmas traditions with us.
ReplyDeleteI volunteered once on Christmas Day at a soup kitchen and I had the most fun with the participants and staff.
Merry Christmas!
Have you ever gone to Vegas to have Christmas with your sister? I'm thinking Vegas at Christmas would be...unique =)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear all the ways you have celebrated. We used to go to my mom's but now that our family is larger we go to my daughter's because she has the biggest house and the most children, seven!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holiday!
Dru, we have lots of poor people in Springville and it's great to see them enjoy a Christmas dinner.
ReplyDeleteZita, my sis has over 40 people at her house on Christmas though she vows this is the last year. That's a lot of people to serve Christmas dinner too (almost like what we do at church.) We go to see her in Vegas when the weather is better. We've had far too much rain and snow is predicted for the areas we have to drive through.
Carol, because our family kept getting bigger and bigger is why we split. Our little Christmas Eve gathering is great, we'll be having ham that night.
Here are the answers to yesterday's quiz. So glad that everyone is enjoying The Stiletto Gang's Days of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Word Scramble
1. We Three Kings
2. Jingle Bells
3. Santa Suit
4. Reindeer Games
5. Elf Ears
6. Rudolph
7. Green Wreath
8. Holly Berries
9. Christmas Tree
10. Wrapped Packages
11. Falling Snow
12. Merry Christmas
13. Glass Ornament
14. Happy Holidays
Evelyn David Characters Word Scramble
1. Mac Sullivan
2. Rachel Brenner
3. Whiskey
4. Snickers
5. Julianna Jarrett
6. Edgar Freed
7. Jeff O'Herlihy
8. Kathleen O'Herlihy
9. Bridget
10. Brianna Sullivan
11. Cooper Jackson
Marilyn, I'll bet you have a whopping crowd for the Christmas feast at your church. I remember how great it turned out last year! What a wonderful gift to give so many!
ReplyDeleteOn Christmas Eve we make, ironically, latkes. They just feel festive!
ReplyDeleteAll traditions seem to center around all the people we can gather round, one reason Christmas is so special.
ReplyDeleteWe have several things we 'always do' at Christmas but they never feel set in stone....like a wassail fruit punch (apple cider, orange juice, other juices as we choose and spices like cloves). We always snack on crackers, summer sausage, and cheese while lingering over the gifts. There's always the Christmas service. We often go see a movie &/or the light display at the local park (used to be driving round the best lit houses). Our Christmas celebration is always simple ~ but we love it ~ and each other!
ReplyDelete