How has your Christmas Tradition Changed

[rob&ana 0]

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.

Im not Peruvian, but yes... we do the late dinner thing, and opening the presents at midnight. Last year was my first christmas, we did go for dinner, but a tad early, and we were home and in bed around 10 pm. I suppose it will be the same this year, (though I am hoping we'll go out after dinner).

I dont really mind right now, but I do hope that when we have children, we will definitely change the tradition to the Venezuelan ones... it's just more fun...

[alix 20]

In Brazil we gather the family for dinner on Christmas eve. At midnight we exchange presents. The kids only open their gifts on Christmas morning. Then on Christmas Day we have the "burial of the bones", which means we eat the leftovers. My grandmother used to make a codfish dish because her husband was Portuguese. I always loved Christmas day codfish!! Hmmmmmm....Also the food is a bit different. Since we don't have Thanksgiving there we eat Turkey and Ham on Christmas, along with dried fruit, nuts, rice, farofa (which is fried manioc flour with onions and bacon).

Last year we already spent Christmas with my in-laws and that was fun. I think the American tradition is really fun! My father-in-law loves putting up all kinds of decoration! I find it pretty funny and cute too!

My husband and I put up our first Christmas tree this year. It was very special to set it up since we finally have our house and can do it. We only used lights, a tree topper, and some glittery stars all over it. I also bought two stocking holders to put on the mantel (we got new stockings last year!). And we put a huge glittery star hanging at the door, instead of a wreath. And that's our Christmas decoration!!!!! We'll be spending Christmas at my in-laws again and will wait until after Christmas to buy the rest of the decorations (since it all will be for half price!!!).

[MrsBruce5 0]

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.

Ohhh ! Thank You !

I am going to order it and I think we're having some haggis on X-mas !

Cheers Reba !

[Welshcookie 17]

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.

hehehehe.........I have promised my hubby I will put the tree up tomorrow....

[Reba 2]

Ohhh ! Thank You !

I am going to order it and I think we're having some haggis on X-mas !

Cheers Reba !

You're quite welcome m'dear. I think we'll have haggis for christmas too. If I can find anyone to help me eat it. If not, I'll have to eat the whole thing all my me onesies

[MrsBruce5 0]

So, you'll be having haggis & gelt like us, eh ? LOL

Just eat what you can and freeze the rest !!

Enjoy, and Happy Hanukkah !

[Kathryn41 3,205]

My Christmas background is going out to the woods the week before Christmas, cutting down the tree, bringing it home and decorating it - often with family decorations kept over the years including home made ones by my brother and me, and taking it down January 2nd. The tree is always wired to the walls because we always had cats and invariably they would try to climb it, settling down eventually to be feline 'presents' among the gifts. My Mom had made all of the stockings in the family when we were little kids so we always hung those up on the mantel along with a stocking for whoever else was spending Christmas with us. We always had a full house! My Mom would always invite students from the university who weren't able to make it to their own homes for Christmas, along with friends or people they knew who would be on their own for Christmas. So, even though we had a family of 4 we always had around 18 to 20 for Christmas dinner. On Christmas Eve we always had a big Open House that started at 7 and lasted until around 1 am with over 100 people usually stopping by during the evening. It was all so wonderful and magical! We opened our gifts Christmas morning - and the rule was that we all had to have breakfast and the adults had to have their coffee before any gift could be opened. Of course, I learned how to serve cereal to my brother and I, and make coffee to take up to my parents in bed at a very young age! Christmas Day was spent phoning all of the family at a distance and visiting friends during the mid-day, then having Christmas Dinner around 6 - roast turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, mashed turnips, peas, carrots, stuffing with minced pie and plum pudding for dessert - all served on the good china.

My husband's family were very poor and strictly fundamental Assembly of God growing up. Christmas was just another day to spend in Church. He rebelled as a young adult to the tenets of his family's religion, but for him Christmas has always been a non-event. His sisters and their families don't even acknowledge or celebrate Christmas. The last 2 christmases we have gone to spend with his parents in Texas. It has usually been a stressful time for the both of us.

I have decorated the outside of our home with traditional, non-lighted swags of garlands and ribbons but we have no decorations inside. I made two stockings for us our first Christmas together when he visited me in Canada and have those out on our mantel. We don't have a tree because we have 5 cats and I know where the tree and the ornaments would end up:-). I miss the wonder and the magic of Christmas and I am excited because this year we are going back to Canada to spend Christmas with my brother and his family and my Dad (my Mom passed away the year before we married). They still do Christmas the way I remember it without the Christmas Eve Open House but with Midnight Mass. I am so looking forward to it -and introducing Joe to what he has missed all of these years.

Edited December 18, 2006 by Kathryn41