As i was re wrapping all the presents i wrapped yesterday, i started thinking what other families do for christmas.
On christamas eve day, my family does christmas crafts, including make cookies and there stockings. Then we all pill into the van nd go see the lights, at 3 diffrent places and take family photo. when we get home w make cookies for santa, watch afamily christmas movie together, then off the kids go to bed. and wait for
i believe that christmas time is for family and friends both old and young, new and out of touched. Its my favorite time of the year
Christmas is absolutely my favorite time of the year as well. Since my family lives about an hour away, we have changed our traditions a bit. On Christmas eve, my husband and daughters have dinner, get dressed for church, and open one present each (like I always did as a kid). After church, we put out cookies and a carrot for Rudolph and put the kids to bed. Christmas day is always at my nana's house. Everyone shows up, no matter what the weather. One year, it took us almost 2 hours to get to her house which is an hour away. My brother drove for 5 hours for a trip that would normally have taken him 2...it is a very special day for everyone in my family.
Our whole family choses one family that we know is not going to have much of a Christmas, and for a few weeks before Christmas we gather gifts for them. It is so cool because through the years we have gotten more and more family involved, and now several family members have left our deal, and now get their friends and inlaws together and do their own "Secret Santa" family. A few years ago, we pulled out every resource that we had, and did a family of eleven. We had 2 pickups full of stuff. On Christmas Eve we get together, sneak to the house, unload on the front doorstep, knock and run. We NEVER, EVER reveal that it was us. My parents started this tradition when I was little, and I live for it every year. My kids get so excited helping to buy, gather, and suprise. We usually sit in a car down the street and watch as they open the door and haul stuff in. This year our family has been dealing with unemployment and $ troubles, so we are doing a smaller family. It is one of my daycare moms who is getting divorced with a baby. We always split up the buying so that kids and parents get gifts and clothes, and we bring a boxes of oranges, potatoes, and my vegetarian sister always donates the turkey that she gets from her job. It would not be Christmas without this tradition for me.
Repo - that is an AWESOME tradition! I'd love to start something like that with my family. So my first thought is, how do you "find" a family to help each year?
One thing that is sort of like tradition, except that we can't control it, is that every year since we became a "familial unit" as DH's aunt likes to call it, we've received some sort of silly snowman figurine or toy as a gift. It's been total coincidence, as three out of the five years, it was a gift that either I or DH picked during the anonymous gift exchange within DH's family. But it's become such an anticipation for us that if I don't get another snowman this year, I'm going to feel like something went wrong with my Christmas, ya know?
Fiona,
Most of us work in service oriented fields, I am in child care, my DM is a grade school teacher, sisters are social workers, counselors, and physical therapy assistants, so we really see a lot of needs. Think of people you know also who have been hit with death, divorce, illness, unemployment, etc. in the past year. Sometimes it is not so much about the gifts as about telling people there is still good in the world, and that people care about them. Also, a bishop, pastor, or minister may be able to help. Good luck, it is a great way to feel some "real" holiday spirit!
Thanks Deets. I have my own moments of poverty, and wondering if the world really is a good place. I have had been lucky to have wonderful family members, strangers and friends show me some love and kindness. I guess it is kind of like a "Pay it Forward" thing with me.
That is really cool Mary. Funny how our life experiences from the time we are little really shape us forever.
Today my kids want to make our usually cookie and candy plates for the neighbors. I am thinking of making those layered jars of recipes, you know like cookies or gingerbread or something. Cheap, easy, and not poisonous for me!
Let me add to those of you who would like to do what Katie and her family does (Awesome, Katie!!). Please do contact your local church. There are always needs that need to be met and the pastor and staff would love your involvement!
Our Christmas traditions:
Begins with the purchase of a real Christmas tree (now a problem in West Texas where trees do not grow). We used to visit a tree farm, but now it is the mall lot! We make fudge and watch Star Trek: First Contact!
Operation Christmas Child at church - this is fun for my kids. If you aren't familiar with it, you purchase items for a child that will fit into a shoe box. Not just toys, but toiletries/socks/etc. Samaratin's Purse distributes them to children all over the world who would not have a Christmas. My kids love this and can get very creative with that shoe box. Usually, we have to use a boot box!
Christmas Pageant at church - this year we are all in it. This is going to be so much fun. We give free tickets to our neighbors so they can come, too. I can't sing a note, but I get to be an angel (and sing too! )
Shopping trip with the kids - The five of us have lunch out together and then split up. Every year, it is different on which kids go with which parent. This is when they get to purchase their gifts for each and for dear old mom and dad.
Christmas Eve - I make Cream Cheese braid. My oldest DD started this one. We were at the mall visiting Santa when she was five and she asked him what kind of cookies he wanted her to put out. This fella proceeded to tell her he was sick of cookies and wanted some cheesecake!! I nearly fell out! That's what you get for taking your kids to the Galleria Santa in Houston! So, I make this for the dear old man! I usually start it on the 23rd because the dough has to rest overnight and then rise the next day. Smart alec mall Santa
On Christmas Eve, we also allow the kids to open their presents to each other. We go to the Candlelight Service at church and then watch The Bishop's Wife (Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young).
Christmas morning - open gifts and have Apple French Toast, sausage egg bake, and fruit salad with hot chocolate or coffee!
This year will be different since DH will be preaching a church service on Christmas Day. We may save our gift opening until after church.
Andi, I think that the Christmas Pageant is so cool. I have always wished that there was something like that in our town. Good luck with all of your goings on!!
Katie, it is so cool!! We had our first rehearsal at the coliseum tonight and I got nervous seeing all of the seats! I know we'll be fine - we have been rehearsing for weeks at the church, but it is different thinking of those seats being filled. The chorus of the song the angels come out to says: "Joy, joy to the world, praise to the King! oh let it ring! Joy, joy to the world - worship and sing! Jesus has come to bring joy!" and it goes on from there. I asked tonight if angels can cry! It's just so beautiful! What makes it even more so is that we are all a part of it. My 15 year old and 13 year old are in the cast with the other teenagers, my youngest is an angel with me and, of course, DH is the pastor! I think we'll look back on this being the best part of our Christmas this year.
I just finished reading "The Best (Worst) Christmas Pageant Ever" to my kids. It really left me wanting a multi denominational pageant aroud here. The city just purchased and restored a very old, beautiful theater in our town, and had their first show, an comdey troupe, there a couple of weeks ago, so, maybe next year. The director is my neighbor, so I will put a bug in his ear!
Whats your families christams tradition
We make fudge and watch Star Trek: First Contact!
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I know we'll be fine - we have been rehearsing for weeks at the church, but it is different thinking of those seats being filled. The chorus of the song the angels come out to says: "Joy, joy to the world, praise to the King! oh let it ring! Joy, joy to the world - worship and sing! Jesus has come to bring joy!" and it goes on from there. I asked tonight if angels can cry! It's just so beautiful! What makes it even more so is that we are all a part of it. My 15 year old and 13 year old are in the cast with the other teenagers, my youngest is an angel with me and, of course, DH is the pastor! I think we'll look back on this being the best part of our Christmas this year.