Originally Posted By Big Thunder First of all, let me say that growing up I made a solemn vow that when I grew up, I would spend holidays at home with my wife and kids and nobody was coming over and I wasn't going nowhere. I didn't like all the hustle and bustle on Christmas going to my grandma's back then. So fast forward many years, married with children, and I must say that I have never made good on that vow. However, I am grown up and now realize that holidays are for family time. Sometimes I'd like to just stay home or not entertain, but I know I cant and actually like the family gatherings now. For the most part, our tradition is... my gals and I go to my mother in law's on Christmas eve and unwrap tamales. My wife has 7 brothers, some are gone now, but in years past it was a big family function that Mrs Thunder looked forward to, she loves spending time with all her family and I love to see her glow on those occasions. Lately however less and less members show up but we still go. On Christmas eve or wake up early and go to mass, then I wake the girls, we open gifts and then that afternoon we go to my grandmother's. [BT is very conscious of how many words he typed in this post]
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle We usually have a celebration on the night of Christmas Eve, then our big celebration lasts all day Christmas Day and generally all day Boxing Day as well. Our family's *really* into Christmas! It's a celebration whenever we get our whole (immediate) family together - if the whole extended family gets together it's even more fun!
Originally Posted By Kala Christmas Eve we spend with DH's family for bring your own crab and gag gift exchange, very fun! We have crab, salad, bread, wine, etc... They live by the ocean, hence the crab theme. If you don't like crab you bring your own mac n cheese or peanut butter sandwich or starve. Christmas morning we drive about 1 hr. to pick up Dh's grandparents, since we are their only family around and don't want them to be alone during the holidays. We have breakfast in our home, usually steak and eggs, then open a few gifts. Around 2 PM we load up the car and head to my sister's for Christmas dinner. We usually mix it up. One year we had Beef Bourguignon orzo, salad, rolls veggies, another year we had goose, another salmon, this year brised short ribs! I'm going to mske my mother's red velvet cake too! Thee are quite a few of us and we are loud! We laugh a lot, sometimes play games. On demand has karaoke! This year outt be extra fun! Unfortunately DH and I both work Christmas night so we'll cut out a bit early.
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Christmas Day, all day. Although we always go to church on Christmas Eve. Go figure.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Christmas Eve mass -- and Christmas Day celebration............... We started doing a traditional German Christmas about 10 years back ( no more turkey / ham after Thanksgiving) - Sauerbraten and Wienerschnitzel - homemade Spaetzles - red Cabbage - Green Beans with Bacon abd vinegar, dilled potatoes etc -- German Wines - the whole 9 yards and of course Stollen for desert
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Big Thunder do not monitor your words!!! I was just being funny, I enjoy all your posts. Merry Christmas! ;>
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP hmmm...Christmas Eve is quiet fun family time. Christmas Day has a short orgy of greed in the morning and the rest of the day is kinda' boring.
Originally Posted By Dznygrl Christmas at my house is pretty simple. Christmas Eve evening, open gifts with immediate family. Christmas Day, grandma's house all day for socializing and dinner. The end.
