Anniedeb

Love reading all the different traditions!! We have always opened our gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. You start with the youngest, going through his stocking, then opening his gifts. We progress, watching and admiring each person. It really doesn't take long, and tearing into gifts at breakneck speed is not allowed. This allows everyone to see and enjoy all the excitement, and helps the younger ones realize that Christmas is for everyone. This is done after dinner, which is different every year....Santa gifts were never wrapped. Our Christmas meals are usually smoked turkey and ham with all the trimmings, and more cookies, fudge and beverages than should be allowed!! We usually end the day with light snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate.

kyquiltlover1942

My father was German. We got a little sock of nuts and oranges on Dec 6. Ou Christmas tree and village were always put up on Christmas Eve after all of us were in bed. Santa came after Father "forgot" his handkerchief, or wallet and had to go back into the house before we could head out for midnight mass. With my family, we had a Birthday party on Christmas eve, after the birthday mass at church. We usually had all the neighbors in for a late supper and birthday cake. Since my kids are scattered from one end of the countyry to the other and of course my grandkids with them, this is one thing I truly miss.

silverfoxmag

My memories of Christmas morning are getting fruits and nuts in one of my own stockings, we call them socks today. But there was a special walnut in there. "Santa" would stuff one walnut with money, how exciting was that to a child! As I got older, little gifts were in that stocking, one especially comes to mind, a black onyx ring, which I still have and on occasion wear when my weight is down far enough. I'm Italian and our big celebration was Christmas Eve, our food was every kind of fish there was in the market and a special soup, broccoli, cod and homemade pasta. I hated the fish and broccoli but loved the pasta, love all of it now. Another memory was all 5 of my brothers and families, my sister and husband and myself gathered around my mother's and father's table on both Eve and Day and before we ate we all kissed my father's hand thanking him for the good life he afforded us and in honor of our Heavenly Father. WOW, haven't thought about that in years! Thanks to all for the memories!

grannie cheechee

We had ham, scalloped potatoes, scalloped corn, relish tray, green beans, and anything anybody wanted to bring, My grandparents both knew how to cook, and sometimes they would argue over who would do the cooking. We had ice cream and cake for dessert. I live in FL. now, but that was in Iowa. The grandparents owned an ice cream store so we always ate ice cream any season. Now that I'm a great grannie (14 times) all the family is spread too far to get together at the same time.

Seaside gal

When my two sons were small, we would always go out Christmas Eve and ride around in the car to see all the Christmas lights on houses. I always got them several hot wheels cars for Christmas morning. These went in the stockings. I continued with the hot wheels even when they were adults until they tired of it. I miss all that and have to stop myself from buying the cars for me :-)

My mom always made lots of fudge and pies for Christmas. We would go visit both Grandmas. Later my brother and his family would come to our house for dinner. My parents always bought chestnuts that time of year. New Year's Eve we would go to my paternal grandma's house for oyster stew. On New Year's Day we always had pork and sauerkraut for good luck.

pflum1

Christmas has lots of meaning to me. My mother family was from Germany and so was my father's. On Dec. 6, my birthday, we would go cut a cedar tree in the pasture (Christmas tree) and put it up. Then we would start making cookies, breads, etc. I was an only child, had one cousin and 2 part cousin, so not a big family. On Dec. 23, we would take Christmas cookies, Christmas breads, canned goodies to shut in families that couldn't get out and visit. Christmas eve, we went to church and received a sack with 1 orange, 1 apples, mixed nuts and some candy. Then we would go back to our house and open my presents. I don't remember my parents giving present to themselves. The next day, we would head to Grandparents house with a load of cooked food. Each family would bring food and we would have a festive of turkey, ham, several kinds of potatoes, vegetable and pies, bakes, cookies. After lunch, we would open presents and sing Christmas songs. My grandfather always gave a nice prayer before any meal, so we always felt very blessed to have such wonderful things. Then we would all take turns hand washing the good china and silverware. The guys would go hunting and the girls would play games, etc.
After my grandparents passed away, my mother and the part cousin mother would do Christmas. I still make cookies & potholders for people who are shut in. To me, Christmas is about helping others who have got old and can't help themselves. Now I only have a husband, one son, daughter in law and grand daughter, so I am still blessed and we still have lots of cookies, turkey, ham and all the trimming. Grand daughter is only 5, but she already taking gifts to family who's parents have been out of work. She is so happy when she sees their faces when they open the presents. It's a wonderful world to her. She always makes a wonderful plate of cookies for her grandpa and me. She is so proud of what she can do and does a wonderful job. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Iraxy

When I was a young girl, my parents would celebrate Three Kings Day on January 6. We would get a token gift at Christmas then our nice presents plus clothes in January. I know my mom saved money by doing this even though we never did get lots of things. I didn't know any different so it was okay. When I had my own family, we celebrated by having cookies and cocoa in front of the fire on Christmas eve and opening one present from under the tree. Our meal was usually a ham with the trimmings. On Christmas we had a big breakfast meal and used up some of the leftover ham. Watched the parade on TV, opened presents. Slept in front of the fire. Christmas dinner was either Chinese take out or a rib roast. As empty nesters, we order a Greenberg turkey from Tyler, TX and enjoy that for a few days and then make a wonderful split pea soup with the trimmings and the carcass. Yum.
My cardiologist is going to have a stroke should he see this post. LOL

redtweety

Growing up, Christmas morning we could open the stocking gifts, usually inexpensive trinkets to occupy our time, an orange and ribbon candy. When my patens had their coffee, dad sat down under the tree and passed out our presents. We usually got clothes and one or wo toys. I loved crafts, Santa was good about remembering that. Mom made fudge and pumpkin cookies, I love them!!! We had ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, apple salad, homemade noodles, pumpkin pie.

adamae

Homemade noodles were my late MIL's specialty....her family loved them and thought hers were the best ever....Lord have mercy, I never tried to outdo her there. My two DIL's and Dau. have created their own tradition: Ham, potato casserole, green bean casserole and sometimes a corn souffle. Dessert is varied pies and other sweets. Dinner is at my place this year but usually at the eldest sons place. Next year will be a little great grandson at Christmas with about a dozen adults. Poor baby....

cannyquilter

Thank you so much for sharing your family Christmas traditions with me. My Christmas night went very well and we shared the knowledge we had gained about Christmas traditions around the globe. It was so interesting to hear about many traditions that have been shared on this thread.

When I was small we always had a pillowcase left on the end of our bed which we could open. It always had a book in I think this was so we would stay in bed till a respectable time but usually someone in the family got up about 3.30 on Christmas morning and subsequently woke everyone else up (there were 11 kids). That doesn't seem to happen now at least not with my grandchildren and can't remember my own children wakening up much before 6.30.

Wishing each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas.

Eileen