How has your Christmas Tradition Changed

[Artegal 1]

For example my tradition (the USC) was to wake up on Christmas morning open gifts and have a huge breakfast/brunch, whereas my wife (the immigrant) has brought a tradition of having a late dinner at about 11pm on Christmas Eve and then at the stroke of Midnight, the Baby Jesus is revealed in the Manger and we sing happy birthday to Christ and then begin to open Christmas gifts.

[ceriserose 1]

Now we put our tree up on the Thanksgiving weekend, whereas before it was mid-December. I also feel like there's very little time between Thanksgiving and Christmas (Canada's Thanksgiving is in October, so there was more shopping/planning time before Christmas).

This year we're opening gifts on the 24th. Just because we can.

We've added a New Year's tradition of a games day and a friend coming in from out of town for a few days post-Christmas.

[Welshcookie 17]

We open our presents to each other on xmas eve night.....oh and xmas music seems to be on constantly from the 1st of Dec

[Ladylethal 12]

My husband (the USC) wasn't used to having decorations 'cus his family always spends Xmas at their relatives and never put up a Xmas tree. Of course I can't go by without my tree so this was his first year putting up decorations and he seems to very much enjoy it.

[Reba 2]

I had a lot more friends and family gatherings up home. Not here boy! Christmas day is up, over to the in-laws, eat lunch, open pressents, good day to you!

This year will be different tho because my husband's parents have both died now, so it'll just be me and him and his brother likely. No idea if the neice will make an appearance. She didn't bother for Thanksgiving.

I used to get up Christmas morning and watch Its a Wonderful Life. I haven't been able to do that for quite some time now. I haven't ever been able to see my nephew or neice open gifts on Christmas day. I hope to maybe next year, if DH will get up off his ####### and do the stupid paperwork for CIC to allow him into the country.

[PlatyPius 5]

I'm used to putting up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Sian likes it being put up later. So, December 10th and no Yule tree yet. Doesn't even feel like Xmas to me, really.

[Reba 2]

When I was a kid, we used to put up ours about a week before Christmas and it was taken down by New Years. Now I can do without, I haven't put up a full sized tree in several years.

The American practice of putting up all the decorations the day after Thanksgiving (day after Halloween in some cases!) drags out the holiday far too long IMO. By three days after Thanksgiving, I'm already fed up with it. There are local radio stations that play all Christmas music, all the time, from the 1st of November until well after Christmas. Its nauseating.

[Lou Lou 1]

I would normally spend Christmas with my family but now over here but we don't 'do' Christmas. We go serve food to all the people that can't afford it. We have a great time, and it's the best way to celebrate for us.

[Ladylethal 12]

At home we put the tree up on December 6th and take it down January 6th. I think I put our tree up beggining of December and we'll follow tradition and take it down January 6th.

[Carlawarla 1]

I would normally spend Christmas with my family but now over here but we don't 'do' Christmas. We go serve food to all the people that can't afford it. We have a great time, and it's the best way to celebrate for us.

This is the true spirit of Christmas! What a wonderful gift you bring to these people!

Carla

[KiminON 0]

well, i guess the biggest change this year is that i won't be spending it with my family. this is good and bad (of course!) good as i'll not have to be cut down by my one uncle & aunt that make me feel about 2 inches tall by the time i leave their place. bad as i'll not see my mom on christmas or my birthday for the first time. ever.

k

[Vi Mazzella 4]

I'm peruvian too!

Late diner, around 11pm, and turkey,not fish (hubby is italian so that used to be his costume), we don't wait until next morning, just open the gifts after 12. Christmas Day we just stay home resting and enjoying the day. When I lived in Peru all my aunts and uncles + cousins came to visit us and had a big brakfast, lunch and dinner.

I'm going home in 1 week!~

Vi

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

We will be celebrating Christmas differently than either of us ever have. We will be staying home and enjoying our small family rather than ripping and running all over the country. I am looking forward to doing all of the cooking myself and starting our very own Christmas traditions.

Tim is adjusting to all of the decorations, he thinks us Americans go over the top. Mind you he wanted to string Christmas lights all over the outside.........I won this and there is a gorgeous swag with a few lights just above the door and a wreath. Plenty I say.

[MrsBruce5 0]

This year, we will be celebrating it the way my Grandparents did.

A traditional Sicilian dinner with 7 types of fish-for good luck.

And, we also celebrate Hanukkah, as our son is Jewish (long story there...)

Mr. Bruce has no idea what a scungilli or baccala is, but he's surely gonna find out ! LOL

If only I could get my hands on some haggis, I truly wouldn't mind doing a bit of stuffed chicken with a whiskey glaze so I could make it even more multi-cultural !!!

[Reba 2]

these folks have haggis http://www.thebritishpantry.us/ Delivery is pretty quick too. If they have it in stock.

I bought some Hannukah chocolate coins yesterday.