Have You Changed Tradition?
By Jennifer
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
Valdosta, Georgia
December 23, 2012 10:08am CST
When I was younger the gifts under the tree were never wrapped. They were just sitting there and when we came down the stairs we could see them all. We only had the gifts from my parents wrapped. I don't know if the elves were just lazy or what. 
But now that I am a mother, I do wrap the presents, all of them. I think its more fun for my children to be surprised and not see them right away... So, my husband and I both agreed that this is the way we will do it each year, all gifts will be wrapped.
Have you changed any tradition from when you were a kid? Do you do things the same as your parents did?
But now that I am a mother, I do wrap the presents, all of them. I think its more fun for my children to be surprised and not see them right away... So, my husband and I both agreed that this is the way we will do it each year, all gifts will be wrapped.
Have you changed any tradition from when you were a kid? Do you do things the same as your parents did?4 people like this
25 responses
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
23 Dec 12
I tried to take as many traditions that I grew up with as a kid and share them with my family. But once I was divorced, a lot changed-my poor baby spent the morning with me, but promptly at 2, she had to go with her father's family. I stopped spending Christmas dinner with family because of all of the questions I was forced to deal with-it was as if everyone forgot I had answered it before and it hurt. Now that I'm with Jim and our intention is to marry one day, I've been trying to share holiday traditions that I grew up with with him, but so far, nothing has gone right. I can do without a tree without tinsel because we have a dog, but I grew up with live trees! In fact, the only year that I didn't have one (until 2009, when I had a roommate) was in 1971-when I was born! I miss the smell of a live tree! I've also tried to make a special Christmas brunch, but Jim usually sleeps in and there isn't any point. So hopefully we'll start our own traditions next year.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
8 Feb 13
Sweetheart, of course you're forgiven!
Not sure what we're going to do about some of them yet still. He did indicate that he would love a big brunch, but he is so tired when he gets off work each day that unless the holiday falls on one of his days off, I don't think we'll be able to do it.
We did agree that we'll have a live-greens wreath for the front door. And I'd really like to replace the tree-it's one he purchased with his last wife, so I'd love it if we could purchase another one together, and keep the other one in another room. I grew up the last few years of my life at home with my family with 2 live trees, and three artificial trees-we had twin bay windows in the living room, and only one tree in such a large room was silly, so we voted and started getting two! The artificial tree upstairs in the hallway was the 'girls' tree, the one from the year I was born. Then the one that became 'Sydney's' tree was either the one from my mom's old office or the one from my dad's store; the other one of those was placed in the bar area.
Christmas was a HUGE deal in my family-my parents often went and shopped for new things each year, and it became a huge deal for my daughter and I while she was growing up. But after I lost my home, and my dad passed away the following year, I barely celebrated-I'd really love to celebrate again with Jim.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
8 Feb 13
I'm sorry I totally forgot about this discussion, sorry your getting such a late response!
I have taken most traditions and used them with my family as well. But there are a couple that I really don't like so that is why I have changed some things.
As long as we have some traditions I think the kids will pass them on to their kids someday!
I hope you can start some new traditions soon! =)
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
23 Dec 12
Oh big time and my sister doesn't like that I did. I went from man-made holidays to G♥d-made feasts and festivals. Though we do give gifts at Hanukkah, I would like to remove that tradition since it isn't Biblical, (I don't think they give gifts in Israel) but living in America, it is hard. I think maybe next year I will save up money and take my son "shopping" for his needs and wants and not only will I be giving him something, but we will also spend time together...
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
24 Dec 12
Yes, my sister was furious and even tried to tell my daughter how wrong I was to change..
As for my idea, yes within reason, he can pick out a gift and hopefully I have money left over for some needed items like clothing, because after all, I also buy him non-toys too...lol
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
Most family members don't like when we change things... They think we should be the same as they are for the rest of our lives. Its not right.
That sounds like a good idea, so your son can pick out what he wants.
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 12
I see it as quite comical, when I was much younger I would always be the first to be awake, excited and thrilled that Christmas was here and Santa had bring, as I got older I would start to get up later on Christmas Day. Now as an adult, it's actually my parents who get up first and I lay in, it's them who's excited and thrilled, so the tables have turned. I used to go into my parents bedroom and they would be in bed and we'd take turns in opening presents. Now we go down into mum's best room and open them, although we still take it in turns when we open them, always father, mum then me. All our presents are wrapped that is one tradition that has never changed in my 40 Christmas's on Earth.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
That is very funny that the tables have turned like that! Lol. I am super excited now that I am a mother for Christmas, not for me but for my kids. =) I am excited to see their faces and seeing their excitement!
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
23 Dec 12
When I was a kid, all of our gifts were wrapped. Well, except for the bicycles my sister and I got. There was a big bow on the handlebars. Then as a grown-up with 2 daughters of my own, gifts were all wrapped. So I guess there's no change in tradition there.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
Mine weren't but we changed that for our kids to add more of a surprise for them... I am glad we changed that one tradition.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
23 Dec 12
I have realized one of the many reasons I hate Christmas is I was and am jealous how alot of other people celebrate opening gifts! I grew up on a farm and I had to help with morning chores,alone with my brother and our dad on Christmas morning. We would open our presents after chores and breakfast. Alot of times we opened presents on Christmas Eve. I don't remember ever getting up on Christmas morning and opening presents. Maybe when i was little. Never asked either.My mom,I am sure I mentioned this before, alot of times,she brought presents downstrairs unwrapped or half wrapped! She would buy presents,especially for my dad,things he didn't want or need! Then my father would get pissed off and make us all miserable! Not to mention uncomfortable!
Now a days I have thre great nephews and one great neice. When my family gets together I love watching them open presents! That is my new family tradtion!
Now a days I have thre great nephews and one great neice. When my family gets together I love watching them open presents! That is my new family tradtion!@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
8 Feb 13
Sorry for such a late response! I totally forgot about this discussion so I will be catching up on this one the next couple days. =)
It sounds like you had a really hard time when you were younger and I'm sorry for that. That sounds horrible! I cannot imagine...
My father was not an easy person to deal with and my parents ended up fighting every single holiday. For some reason they always fought on holidays which made it hard on us kids!
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
23 Dec 12
When I was a kid everything was wrapped. Once my brother got married and had kids of his own, we changed our Christmas to Christmas Eve, because Christmas Day was for his family. That's about the only change. When I was little, my gifts were from Santa. But when I was about 10 or 11 I learned there was no Santa bringing presents. I was devastated that I was lied to. It was like I had list something vital and real in my life. So, when my daughter was little, I didn't perpetuate the lie. I still let her have fun with thoughts of Santa, but that moms and dads, grandmas and Grampas bought or made the gifts in the Spirit of Christmas.
I was so put out by the lie that when I went to a Christmas party at church, I pulled his fake beard off and told him he wasn't real and shouldn't lie to little kids. I was a depressed kid.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
31 Dec 12
Oh my! See, the lie did not bother me much at all. What bothered me more about learning Santa was not real was the magic of it. I lost the magic once I found out. It was not nearly as exciting as when I thought Santa existed...
I don't think my kids will be angry because the way my mother explained it to us was without Santa being told to us the magic would not have been so great, and she was right because once I found out the magic was gone forever...
@ElicBxn (63643)
• United States
23 Dec 12
I knew one family where Santa only brought one "big" gift for each child and they appeared under the tree Christmas morning.
In my family, the presents were wrapped, but while the family presents were put under the tree before Christmas, Santa would deliver his special presents and put them under the tree.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
I guess since my parents had 4 kids they didn't want to wrap all of the gifts... Lol. But I think its more fun for my children to unwrap everything instead of seeing it all when they wake up without being wrapped...
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
23 Dec 12
No more presents instead I just wrap $ in red packets. My family population have increased and i find it more convenient to give money than going around to shop for presents . This is ofcourse a 360 degrees change of tradition. Santa might frown on this idea but I think it saved me a lot of time .
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
I understand that, sometimes its too difficult to give presents to everyone. Money is good too! I am sure everyone likes that anyway.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
23 Dec 12
When I was growing up I was allowed to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve. My husband had the same tradition. We have not continued this tradition with the kids because I always worry that I didn't do enough so I don't want to take away from their excitement Christmas morning.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
I agree with you, if there really isn't enough that one gift makes a difference! On Christmas Eve my kids get to open their presents from their grandparents since we go over there every year. So they get to open on Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning from Santa. =)
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
23 Dec 12
I've changed religions since I was a kid, so a lot has changed. We don't celebrate Christmas. As for other, more secular, holidays such as Thanksgiving, I take a different approach than my family; for instance, I have the meal at dinnertime rather than lunchtime, and I prepare a vegetarian meal.
There really aren't a lot of familial traditions on either side here, though. There also aren't family heirlooms. So, we are mostly left to create our own traditions and, hopefully, have some sort of stability established before we adopt children.
One tradition that I have started regarding Thanksgiving is that we watch Fiddler on the Roof. I don't really know why other than the fact that I first watched it on Thanksgiving, and it just seems like a good movie for that particular holiday.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
Wow, so a lot has changed for you! That is a big change compared to my change. Lol.
Well I hope you can make your own traditions that your happy with so when you do adopt they can enjoy them. =)
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
That is cool, some people like the same traditions. I just didn't like the way it was done when I was younger... It took some of the surprise away.
@SamShima (71)
• Nigeria
8 Feb 13
It is a matter of choice as for wrapping and unwrapping of gifts. Even in churches, some hide their offer while others say it should be open and flung. Culture and traditions are dynamic as well as language, they change with time.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
23 Dec 12
As long as I can remember gifts were wrapped but my granny said they never were. They found them on the seat of their chair in the morning at the breakfast table (btw I am talking about Dec. 5th which is St. Nicolaas celebration over here).
Three weeks before that date St. Nicolaas arrives and kids can put their shoe in front of the chimney. As they were still very little they got their presents in the morning of Dec. 5th so whole day to play with it/use it.
Now they are bigger we celebrate it in the evening plus everybody is making a surprise present for someone else (which mostly is the most succesfull present and takes all their attention). We are not really changing the tradition or habits only the poems written to it change. They should tell about the bad habits etc of the person, so kind of lesson what to change. We don't do that anymore. Also we eat and drink less the kind of food/drinks that are originally belong to that evening.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Dec 12
Oh wow, I never knew things were so different. I like hearing about older traditions or just different traditions for different places. That is really cool! =) Thank you for sharing this with me. 
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
29 Jan 13
There were a few of my child hood toys that were not wrapped, the same with my kids, like a doll house they would want to play with right away, or a ride on toy for a toddler, that way they can play right away.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
24 Dec 12
Well with the kids all living all over the country we have changed alot of traditions.....they aren't home so that is one thing that has changed. When the kids were young and at home every year I bought them one gift that they really wanted....but there were so few presents under the tree I started buying them each a box of chocolate covered cherries and put them under the tree too...my son still love chocolate covered cherries but both my girls ate way to many of them and don't really like them anymore! LOL so we don't do chocolate covered cherries anymore!
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
25 Dec 12
We changed tradition, in that neither of us expected to see any thing under the tree at all on Christmas when we were children. When we had children, we always made sure there was moire than one gift for each chilld uunder the tree. Now that we are old, our children have children and even a grandchild of their own, there are no presents under the tree. The presents from Grandma & Grandpa are all delivered by the US Postal Service. In fact, I even stopped even putting up the tree two or three years ago. I was the only one who cared about it, so it became too much bother. Incidently, our children and grand children all live some distance away. I guess we've come full circle, back to our childhood, but for different reasons.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
25 Dec 12
I think tradition must be varied and apply according to time, places and occasion. Not all the time that tradition must be followed. We are in the world of advance technology and high tech era. So, whatever tradition that our parents do when we are child is no longer applicable at times...this is my opinion.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
12 Jan 13
It's funny that you started this discussion; I was watching TV during the holidays and the characters on the program (maybe it was a movie) were talking about Christmas and childhood and one said something about the presents being wrapped and the other said "Santa doesn't wrap presents."
In all my life I have never heard any such thing. Unwrapping presents is part of the excitement for a child.
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
24 Dec 12
Well, I'm not a parent, so It is still just my mother who takes care of my family's Christmas gifts.
However, I must point out that always presents under the tree, they have been shown wrapped and tied, just as it would appear a real gift.
I think it's the best thing for children to find under the tree, the wrapped gifts. this is a extra surprise for them when it comes the time to discover them.
