Tell me about your Christmas EVE traditions....

• Tell me about your Christmas EVE traditions.... by Mikekoz13 on 23 Dec, 2012 19:48
• I know many of us let our kids open "just one gift" on Christmas Eve. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about some "tradition" that is more unique to you and/or your Family.
  
  I'll start:
  
  About 5 years ago we realized that every year we just had nothing to do in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. So I half jokingly suggested that we all take a ride (about 40 miles) to our favorite Thai restaurant for an early dinner (we only go here a couple times a year). Well the wife and kids jumped all over it and off we went..... and we've done it every year since.
• #1 by Laser Man on 23 Dec, 2012 20:13
• Our tradition for the last dozen or so years has been to go to church at 6PM for Mass.  I then prepare dinner for my wife and daughters (rack of lamb, garlic mashed potatoes, salad with pignolis and pears). We then watch "A Christmas Carol" together. 
  
  
• #2 by mrzed on 23 Dec, 2012 21:01
• After Christmas eve early church service we come home. Light every candle in the house. Have finger foods. Usually invite a few friends over.
  
  I usually 'crash' by 10 pm.  Wife is still starting to wrap packages. She is up until 2-3 am.  I get up about 5 fill stockings, start the yeast breads for breakfast rolls.  By 10 am we start opening packages. Don't finish by the time company comes at 1 or 2 for. Dinner. Finish opening things on the 26th. Yikes we stretch this out.
  
• #3 by OzSly on 23 Dec, 2012 21:32
• Sounds Great npsbg mate, I'll be over for dinner 
• #4 by Andrei on 24 Dec, 2012 00:23
• Each year, on the December 24th, I would meet with friends and relatives (my age) and we would go to our houses and sing carols, get in, have a glass of wine - etc, play some music & enjoy.
  If the group would be to big then we would stop by 2 AM and continue after a good night sleep.
  
  Those living in the countryside have many more traditions: they dress in traditional costumes, play carols that were passed from generation to generation(not very wide spread), and also, play some musical instruments.
  
  On December 25th the grown-ups go visiting & singing carols to family or very close friends.
  
  We even have some food and cake recipes as being traditions for Christmas.
  
  Off-topic, but speaking of Christmas: Merry Christmas guys!
• #5 by imaginary on 24 Dec, 2012 04:21
• Honestly, we've never had a tradition in my house for Christmas Eve. Sadly, being I work retail, and this is my second year doing it, it appears that working the closing shift sounds like my new tradition.
• #6 by Petunia on 24 Dec, 2012 05:47
• We used to have the family over to our house.  But there are too many of us (Since we added that third bedroom) so we are doing it at my 2nd daughters house.  We have lots of fun.  And we have a new grandbaby this yr so it will be great!  We eat, and then open presents and the clean up and then go to our seperate houses. 
• #7 by D.A.L.U.I. on 24 Dec, 2012 05:53
• We meet about 6p with my daughter's in-laws at a nearby hotel for some cocktails, then we go on to an open house that friends have given for years with a great buffet of special foods.  Then Midnight Mass, then home for some port and Stilton cheese.  Then it's snug in the bed so Santa will come.  When our kids were young, there were wrapped presents under the tree, but after they were in bed we got the Santa stuff out and put it around the tree--without wrapping. 
• #8 by Switchy on 24 Dec, 2012 14:28
• When the daughter was young always had oyster stew opened gifts enjoyed the fireplace and hear the wood poping and had the smile of pine from the tree and soft christmas music on. 
  
  Now reflection , beside the fireplace with a can of Bud Light or a few and a 5 Layer Dip and chips.  Thinking of all my blessings and looking at the fire and praying for all those that are hurting.
• #9 by slymyke on 24 Dec, 2012 19:01
• This was a first for us on Christmas Eve... we ate Rudolph.     
• #10 by imaginary on 24 Dec, 2012 20:10
• Quote from: slymyke on 24 Dec, 2012 19:01

  This was a first for us on Christmas Eve... we ate Rudolph.     
  

  
  I don't know if I should say sounds delicioius or dangerous. Lol.
  
  
  On a side note, after hearing holiday music nonstop for hours on end, my mind had drifted south, so I have certain "stories" behind some of the songs.
• #11 by Sir Harry on 25 Dec, 2012 07:27
• Me and my dad's family get together on Christmas Eve. Most of the time we will book rooms at a casino in Biloxi and go see a Christmas show there.