Christmas Traditions

[azsnowman]

Does your family have any long standing traditions? We do.....there is of course my Caramel Corn but the BEST tasting tradition is the "Christmas Tamales!" Yummmmmmmmmmy! I can TASTE 'EM ALREADY......we do them on Christmas Eve. This years Tamales will be "Green Corn Tamales, Cheese and *HOT* Hatch Green Chili and of course the traditional Red Chili Beef Tamales!"

Dennis

[Skywatch_NC]

Family Christmas Eve dinner, then reading the Christmas story from the Bible aloud followed by gift exchange.

Eric

[arkess7]

yea we do Christmas eve dinner at my grandmas house.......but she is now to old to cook that big dinner anymore so we go out to eat somewhere........on Christmas day I used to read the birth of Jesus out of the bible when I was growing up.......out loud to my parents........now I need to start doing it again for my daughter.......cause thats what Christmas is all about......Jesus's birthday!!!!!!!

oh and i make my 10 to 12 loaves of banana nut bread every year!!!!!

[streetsoldier]

We have yet to HAVE any "traditions", even though I've introduced some..."Luciasdag" (Dec. 13, where the smallest child awakens everyone while they're still in bed with a lit candle and a cake, in which there is one almond; he/she who recieves it in their piece is "blessed" for the year) or "King of the Bean" (12th Night after Christmas, when a bean is thrown under a carpet or blanket on the floor; at a signal, everyone reaches under to get the bean, and he/she who recovers it has the right to ask a favor or question of everyone in the family).

They went over poorly, because ONE stepson threw fits over NOT getting the almond, or bean..

Since we have a family all over the map, it's been tough to get them all on board for anything resembling a "tradition".

[coriolis]

We do all the usual stuff. For the last 5 years, I've been taking the entire week off from work between christmas and new years. It usually ends up being about 10 or 12 days with weekends and new years day. It's nice to be home for that much time.

[x-y-no]

We have yet to HAVE any "traditions", even though I've introduced some..."Luciasdag" (Dec. 13, where the smallest child awakens everyone while they're still in bed with a lit candle and a cake, in which there is one almond; he/she who recieves it in their piece is "blessed" for the year) or "Knig of the Bean" (12th Night after Christmas, when a bean is thrown under a carpet or blanket on the floor; at a signal, everyone reaches under to get the bean, and he/she who recovers it has the right to ask a favor or question of everyone in the family).

They went over poorly, because ONE stepson threw fits over NOT getting the almond, or bean..

Since we have a family all over the map, it's been tough to get them all on board for anything resembling a "tradition".

Boy ... that brought back some memories - when I was little we used to regularly celebrate Luciadagen, complete with us kids singing in costume (my brother and me in robes and conical caps festooned with stars and moons, my sister as Lucia including wearing a crown with candles in it - seems like total insanity to me today but those were different times).

Staffan var en stalledräng,
vi tackom nu så gärna,
han vattnar sin fålar fem,
allt för den ljusa stjärnan.
Ingen dager synes än,
stjärnorna på himmelen de blänka.

Hastigt lägges sadeln på,
vi tackom nu så gärna,
innan solen månd uppgå,
allt för den ljusa stjärnan.
Ingen dager synes än,
stjärnorna på himmelen de blänka.

Bästa fålen apelgrå,
vi tackom nu så gärna,
den rider Staffan själv uppå,
allt för den ljusa stjärnan.
Ingen dager synes än,
stjärnorna på himmelen de blänka.

Our main traditions today are Christmas Eve dinner (opening course pickled herring with sour cream, potatoes and - for those who still drink - lots of aquavit, main course ham, potatoes, red cabbage, pickled cucumbers, salad) and on New Years Eve we have sort of a fortune-telling tradition called "lykor" which involves dunking molten tin into a bucket of water, and interpreting the result to see what your fortune will be for the next year.

[O Town]

Every year for the past 5 years I have baked sugar cookies with my girls and let them decorate them with icing, sugar, and sprinkles to leave for Santa. On Christmas Eve we go to my moms and great aunt Helens for finger food galore, and exchange presents. Then on Christmas morning for the past 3 years my parents have come over to watch my girls open their presents and see their faces all a glow. I guess they miss that so we decided that we would let them enjoy it here. We eat lunch at my mother in laws and dinner back at my moms on christmas day. It is almost too busy those 2 days, here there and everywhere we go. I say that but I just am grateful that I have my family so close and that they what to have us celebrate Christmas with all of them.

[streetsoldier]

We have yet to HAVE any "traditions", even though I've introduced some..."Luciasdag" (Dec. 13, where the smallest child awakens everyone while they're still in bed with a lit candle and a cake, in which there is one almond; he/she who recieves it in their piece is "blessed" for the year) or "Knig of the Bean" (12th Night after Christmas, when a bean is thrown under a carpet or blanket on the floor; at a signal, everyone reaches under to get the bean, and he/she who recovers it has the right to ask a favor or question of everyone in the family).

They went over poorly, because ONE stepson threw fits over NOT getting the almond, or bean..

Since we have a family all over the map, it's been tough to get them all on board for anything resembling a "tradition".

Boy ... that brought back some memories - when I was little we used to regularly celebrate Luciadagen, complete with us kids singing in costume (my brother and me in robes and conical caps festooned with stars and moons, my sister as Lucia including wearing a crown with candles in it - seems like total insanity to me today but those were different times).

Staffan var en stalledräng,
vi tackom nu så gärna,
han vattnar sin fålar fem,
allt för den ljusa stjärnan.
Ingen dager synes än,
stjärnorna på himmelen de blänka.

Hastigt lägges sadeln på,
vi tackom nu så gärna,
innan solen månd uppgå,
allt för den ljusa stjärnan.
Ingen dager synes än,
stjärnorna på himmelen de blänka.

Bästa fålen apelgrå,
vi tackom nu så gärna,
den rider Staffan själv uppå,
allt för den ljusa stjärnan.
Ingen dager synes än,
stjärnorna på himmelen de blänka.

Our main traditions today are Christmas Eve dinner (opening course pickled herring with sour cream, potatoes and - for those who still drink - lots of aquavit, main course ham, potatoes, red cabbage, pickled cucumbers, salad) and on New Years Eve we have sort of a fortune-telling tradition called "lykor" which involves dunking molten tin into a bucket of water, and interpreting the result to see what your fortune will be for the next year.

Jeg Norsk, Dansk or Sver?

[vbhoutex]

We have English Plum pudding every year. It is a recipe that my wifes grandmother brought over from England. She has been gone for 13 years now, and my wife makes it every year.

We always get together for Christmas dinner at either our house or my SIL's house. Since she hosted thanksgiving we are doing Christmas with 17 present and two babies on the way.

Ed I am off that whole week after Christmas too. Our office closes down and we get two days and give them vacation days for the rest, no choice, unless we don't want to be paid for it. I do love being off that week though.

[therock1811]

We do Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparents', then we come home and have hot cocoa and chocolate candy, while my mom starts making the food for our big Christmas dinner the next day.

[azskyman]

You asked for it...so here it is...

For 30 years before leaving Illinois to come to Arizona, we always ALWAYS spent Christmas Eve with my sister and her family. Now, with this being the 9th Christmas since leaving, we're still searching for a tradition.

Recognizing that my sons and their careers and their lives and their families may take them anywhere in the world in the years to come, last Christmas in San Diego I presented the family with a box containing the following items.

.... a bound hardcover journal with nothing written in it, a mechanical pencil, a pair of dice, a set of rules, three containers with plastic lids, and a stuffed animal (a monkey no less) wearing a pin that says "I Love Christmas!" Our family "mascot" also has a trucker's wallet attached by a chain and a belt to his waist.

Now, before you think that Poppysky has lost it completely, here's what this stuffed animal represents.

The rules say something to this effect:

1) During the year, starting on the day after Christmas, every time a family member does something good (the grandkids learn to walk, say a word, or otherwise have something to celebrate, or one of us adults also has something good to celebrate), we make a call to one or more of the others and congratulate them. And, at that time, we also reach into our pockets and throw some loose change or a nickel or a buck into our family's container.

2) If, during the year, we also have some rough times (health problems, speeding tickets, etc), we are reminded to call or send a card and place a buck in the container for that as well. You get the picture. Over the year, some good things can happen; some bad things can happen, but we always use that time to call or be there for the other...and, of course, put a buck in that container on their behalf.

3) Each year, a family member is responsible for taking good care of our mascot all year long. That same family member is also responsible for filling out entries in the journal about the good things, the bad things, and different events that helped fill up that wallet. It's up to that person to "journal" those events and date them for all posterity to remember.

Now, so far, this is just about remembering to call and congratulate, thank, console, or otherwise stay in touch during the year...but always with the opportunity to pad the monkey's wallet along the way.

...and so the fun part...

4) Just before Christmas, all the monkey's treasures are sent to his guardian of that year. The guardian then places the sealed envelopes in the monkey's wallet and brings him and the cash to where we meet.

5) After all the gifts are opened, the guardian reads the journal entry for the year...we reflect on the good times and bad. And then, according to the monkey's rules, the guardian has the sole decision on where the proceeds in his wallet will go. That person can also determine what charity a portion of the money in the wallet will go to.

The remainder will be divided up 60%, 30%, and 10% to each of our three families. And the guardian can name the poison...whether we draw straws, roll dice, play a game, or perform some other tricks...on how the winner is determined.

In the end, we have accomplished the following by trying to make this tradition continue:

1) Reinforced the importance of staying in touch during the year
2) Helped to encourage the idea of giving
3) Grown our interest in getting together for some laughs and fun on Christmas (and a few bucks too)
4) Provided for some very interesting challenges during the year (I remember playing cards one night when the winner, not the loser, had to put all the money in the monkey's wallet!)
5) And last, but not least, given our family something fun to focus on ALL YEAR LONG.

Rumor has it that this year we'll be playing Texas Hold'em for the goods in that black leather wallet of his.

It's not about how much, but about the journey all year.

As a final note, the winner of the biggest pot is the guardian for the next year. He or she also must document the details of how much was won by who, at what hour and day, and who was there to make it happen.

We can, of course, do this all by phone if ever necessary, but at least this second year, we'll all be together.

Should be fun.

I know there is a lot of ribbing going on right now about "the big event" after Christmas gifts have been opened.

If our mascot monkey can survive about three years in a row, it might just become a permanent tradition.

Poppysky keeps trying to hold this family together.

Even a stuffed monkey might help.

[JenyEliza]

After Christmas Dinner, we always have a birthday cake for Jesus--complete with candles and a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday, Jesus".

I started this tradition when my twins were 3 years old and I wanted them to understand that Christmas was about more than trees and presents. I wanted it to be something they understood...and at 3, kids *do* understand birthday parties.

My kids are almost 11 now, but the highlight of our Christmas shopping is when we go pick out Jesus' birthday cake. Even though they're getting older, they still haven't tired of this tradition.

Jen

[george_r_1961]

Im alone now...no immediate family living. But when I was a kid I got my presents xmas eve. Id be told to wait in my room for Santa..then I would hear a thump on the roof (no doubt dad smacking the roof with a ladder ) then I would be called out to see what Santa had left me under the tree. Then it was off to Midnight Mass. Christmas Day my parents and I would sleep late as none of us were accustomed to being up late at night. Then dinner would be started. On occasion we would travel to PA to be with my dads family. I will be hanging out with friends this year most likely so at least I wont be alone. And of course I will be online checking on my storm2k friends

[x-y-no]

Jeg Norsk, Dansk or Sver?

Svensk.

Actually, my mom is Swedish, my dad Finnish (but from Swedish stock). They emigrated to the US a few months before I was born.

[Brent]

Im alone now...no immediate family living. But when I was a kid I got my presents xmas eve.

I always did too. We would go "Christmas light riding" and me, my sister, and one of my parents would sit in the car while the other parent was in the house(no doubt putting the presents out). About 30 minutes later we'd come back home.

[beachbum_al]

Traditions.

Start off the season by going to the Lightening of the Tree in downtown Fairhope the week before Thanksgiving.

Christmas Eve the girls and I watch christmas movies, bake cookies, etc. This is the first year Laura will sing in the Christmas Eve Service. On Christmas Eve night the girls open one gift under the tree and we go over to my grandmother or my Aunt's house for Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas morning we wake up and the kids rush to the tree to see what Santa brought them. Then we eat breakfast, head over to my aunt's house for Christmas Lunch, and then head home.

[LaPlaceFF]

We have a Christmas tradition here which is called Christmas Eve bonfires.

Here is a link which will describe this tradition. It is for the festival which is held every year.

http://www.festivalofthebonfires.org