what are some of the Christmas traditions in your family

nkrupa · 11-09-2003, 10:38 PM

Well we we were small kids we always got open all our presents about 2 weeks early. We had a cabin up north in upper Michigan. ( West Branch). So we would travel up there and it was too hard to take all the presents and everything, so we got them early.We stayed up north for 2 weeks. That is how we spent our Christmas vacation. We went Ice fishing every day. and went sleigh riding up there.
One year we did take all the presents and went into the woods and got a tree, and every thing. It was pretty nice.

After us kids got married, We went to My Mom and Dads for Christmas Eve and Christmas

. We usually opened presents Christmas

, Then Mom always had a big Turkey and a Ham, and all the trimmings.
Now Dad is gone, and Mom is 86. So now we celebrate Christmas at My house. and my brothers celebrate at their homes with there grand kids, and kids.
Kinda miss the good old days.
But enjoy Christmas at our house, and someday One of the daughters will carry on tradition and have Christmas at there home, when I get old and Gray.

DeeDee · 11-10-2003, 12:48 AM

Well when my three boys were small, we allowed them to open one small gift on Christmas Eve. Then it was off to bed so Santa could come.

Now there is only hubby and I at home, we don't open any gifts until the

and then the family start coming in. We have the Christmas dinner here every year and it is a busy time with 8 adults and 5 children running around. Thankfully this year and last I own a larger house so they have lots of space to go and play but next year will be another story. We are selling in the spring to buy a smaller home but I am sure we will still find enough space for everyone next year for dinner again.

Both my parents have p***ed on but we used to go to my inlaws one year and then my parents the next year for dinner. Then it got to where we just had dinner here and everyone came to our place instead, but now its just our three sons and their families.

DeeDee

rusty2rusty · 11-16-2003, 02:07 PM

My Christmas tradition is changed from when I was growing up.My parents split up up when I was really little.So,it was more of a

trying to cram both sides and grandparents in,in a manner of days.
Now,I have three kids own to make traditions for.We always make it a point to go and look at all the Christmas decorations aqnd lightas around the area.Sevral times during the Christams season.We go visit Santa Claus.
I make a point to take my kids to a nursing home where my grandmother was at.(She p***ed away this past Oct.)And p*** out homemade goodies we make.This yaer will be hard.But,I don't see why we shouldn't go.We have made some nice

there.
I let the kids open one present the night before Christmas.I can't

it when I see those puppydog eyes begging me.
On Christmas Eve,we start off by having dinner and exchanging presents at my father and stepmother's house.
On Christmas

the kids open their presents and have a nice big Christmas breakfast with all the breakfast trimming I can make.
Later on,On Christmas day.we travel to my mothers house or my sisters house.And have a family dinner and exchange presents some more.

11-16-2003, 02:17 PM

The only tradition I've stuck with is baking a ton of

s a few weeks before and inviting

over for a

swap. As long as I can remember, my mom participated in a

swap every year with

. I'm doing it here now with my

. This year will be my 5th annual

swap at my house

Another tradition that my dh and I have started with our boys is to start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.

rusty2rusty · 11-16-2003, 03:05 PM

Oh,We already start decorating after Thanksgiving.I guess that is a tradition in it's self. I never thought of it that way. Thanks for the

.

Countrymama · 11-17-2003, 02:30 PM

When I was younger and still at home it was just me and my parents Christmas eve we would always go and eat at Pizza Hut for dinner when my dad was done his

then we would go home and I would wrap all his gifts to mom( I was givin this job his mother used to do it for him) then it was off to bed. Christmas

i wasnt alwoed down the stairs until everyone was up and ready Dad always went down first so he could get us coming down stairs and seeing the tree with all the presents under it. we would exchange gifts and have breakfast then it was time to get ready to go to whichever grandpaernts turn it was.

Now that I have kids and only one set of grandparents we still open peresents on christmas

but have to wait for my DH to come in from Barn - cows dont care if its christmas- and its breakfast first presents and then get ready to go to dinner at the Strasburg Inn in Lancaster. its a nice but tireing day. glad kids have off school next day they always

in

rusty2rusty · 11-29-2003, 10:47 PM

momofajcl..... how does a

swap work? that sounds like a great

to try next year.