When I was growing up, my mom would always let me open one present on Christmas eve and it was always a new set of pj's. I'd get to wear them to bed on Christmas eve and be all cute for present-opening in the morning.
Also, my bff and I always call each other to see what we got for Christmas. We've done that ever since we were in 3rd grade and we each got American Girl dolls (Samatha for me, Kirsten for her.)
No matter where we are, BF and I always go to the symphony for a Christmas concert. We get the best tickets we can afford that year and enjoy it.
Nothing makes me happier than hearing "dance of the sugar plum fairies" live.
When I was younger, since my mom always worked Christmas day, my dad would take my brother and I around New York City to see all the store windows and the lights Christmas night. I've got pictures of my family in from of the Rockefeller Christmas tree from almost every year until I was 16.
My family usually likes to drive around the well decorated neighborhoods to see all the holiday lights/displays. I usually make a gingerbread (actually graham cracker) house. I like to make them elaborate with tons of candy! We used to open one present each on Christmas Eve when we were kids, but that one kind of phased out.
My DH and I spend Christmas alone and we won't do any obligatory family things. We consider Mitch dog and our cats to be our family and we don't want to leave them alone on Christmas Day. I know that seems silly because they don't know the difference, but it is important to us. My DH makes a huge breakfast of my fave Eggs Benedict. We usually hang out and watch lame movies. Like last year we watched all 6 Star Wars movies over two days. This year we are going to watch all the Rocky movies 'cause we want to see the new one even tho we think it is completely pathetic that there is a 6th Rocky movie.
We are somewhat traditionless. Hubby and I both had our own traditions in our separate families as children, but since we moved out 4 years ago our only tradition has been running around to each family's house and trying to spend our time 'fairly' . The season has lost a bit of it's luster due to this, actually.
The only 'traditions' still in place - I listen to Christmas music whenever possible from the day after Thanksgiving 'til Christmas, and I hang my inherited 'ugly santa claus' ornament right under the angel on the tree every year .
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Every Christmas Eve, I lay on the couch in my living room (in the basement) and fall asleep to A Christmas Story. I wake up around 6, wake everyone else up in the house, and we open presents. My favorite part of Christmas is my father's huge breakast. Like NCshopper, I've called my bff to compare gifts since I was 5.
My newest favorite tradition is going to New York to see the Christmas Spectacular. I've been going for 3 years and I hope to go every year from now on.
I love, love, love that my boyfriend and I set aside a day every year (next Monday this year) to wrap presents. We make it a whole to-do... we put on some Christmas music, make hot chocolate, and wrap the whole day.
I'm with Elle on the Christmas music... the only music that has played in my car since November 1 is Christmas music.
We make Christmas cut out cookies and decorate them. I started this when chris was 3 and he looks forward to it every year( I do too ) We really don't have a certain day b/c of my work schedule but this year we are going to do them on Chritsmas Eve. We also leave cookies out for Santa and Chris leaves a note for Santa. Chris said " Mommy maybe this year Santa needs diet soda and sugar free cookies" I asked why? He said " I dont want Santa to get stuck in the chimney and can't deliver my presents"
This was a tradition from when I was a child. But when my grandmother was alive my sister mother and I would go to her house the day before Christmas Eve and make pierogi's all day and listen to Polka music. It stopped when she passed away but I think I want to revive the polka music this year.
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I'm thinking balls are to men what purses are to women. It's just a little bag, but we feel naked in public without it.
Carrie Bradshaw
My family normally goes to Mass on Christmas Eve and then have waffles for dinner! It will be a little different this year since we are not going home...so DH and I are going to a big party at my brother in law's girlfriend's mother's house (that was a mouthful). I think I'll move the waffles to breakfast on Christmas...since I got an electric wafflemaker for my wedding.
My sister and I usually devote a whole day making and decorating sugar cookies. We have a candycane, angel, snowman, christmas tree, star, gingerbread man, and bell cookie cutouts. It is so much fun.
the past few years- my sister, mom and myself attend a "holiday tea" at my sister's church and then again a victorian tea room. we love it. we get dressed up and spend the afternoon chatting and drinking tea and eating scones and finger sandwiches...
also, my absolute favorite thing about christmas is going to christmas eve services at church and at the end lighting my candle while singing "Silent Night" a capella... its so reverant and holy and special to me... it really makes me stop and remember what this season is truely about.