Out with the old and in with the new???

United States
December 22, 2010 2:26pm CST
Christmas day is fast approaching. Lots of decisions to make. Open presents on Christmas eve? Wait till Christmas morning? Dinner with Mom and Dad? Or do we go to the in-laws? How about having dinner at our house? Who's feelings are going to be hurt? When CAN we stop going to Mom's house and start building our own family traditions? There are always decisions to be made and someone is bound to be hurt or even worse, they just may get really mad and cause a big stink! When I was much younger and newly married it was always Christmas dinner at the in-laws. We'd just go along with what everyone expected of us. That was fine with me, I didn't have enough experience to do it myself anyway. As I got older it switched to my house. Christmas eve became our personal time. We would open presents to and from one another and the kids got their presents from us. Lots of fun and silliness going on. Then Christmas morning, bright and early, everyone would get to open their stockings and see what Santa had brought them. These presents were never wrapped, Santa was too busy for that. It was at this time that we got any BIG presents that we were going to get, Santa always brings the best stuff. Then later in the day the rest of the family would all come for dinner. By then I had learned how to cook and felt comfortable with being the hostess. Then some years down the road I was a little older, little wiser and had a new husband ;) No small kids at home and things were different for the holidays. Christmas eve became the big night. Had a big party for all the friends and relatives, lots of food and a good time was had by all. Christmas day became a day of rest. We didn't go anywhere. Exchanged gifts with each other and had a day of watching movies and a light meal, maybe munching on leftovers from the night before. Now, for Christmas present... husband passed awy many years ago, daughter is back home, no small children around. We just make Christmas dinner for the two of us, being sure to have plenty in case someone drops by or maybe taking a plate to the clerk at the corner store who is stuck working on Christmas day. We spend a quiet day watching movies and just relaxing. What traditions do you have for Christmas? Are you starting your own traditions now or still going to Mom's. What old traditions have been kicked aside and what new one's have taken their place. Tell me about your Christmas.
1 response
@buggles64 (2709)
• United States
22 Dec 10
Next year when we move into our own house, we will be hosting our own dinners. Family and friends will drive to our home on Christmas and have Christmas dinner with us. We will have celebrated ourselves on Christmas Eve, with a special family dinner and of course the kids are always allowed to open one gift. Other traditions are some of the same traditions we have now...making sugar cookies, making gingerbread houses, and Christmas Crafts. The hubby and I exchange gifts, on Christmas Eve after the kids are in bed. What a beautiful holiday season.
• United States
22 Dec 10
Hi buggles. That sounds like a wonderful new tradition to begin. Kind of sounds like a perfect family picture! Merry Christmas to you!