OK-Christmas traditions!!-lets hear 'em....

[warthog]

I will start off-Somewhere in my past;my family came up with this different one:see who could stuff the most mini-donuts in their mouths.(NOTE TO PETE:Before you automatically assume I was the winner;and before you post what might seem the appropriate fitting;timely comments(STEVE-A DOZEN IN THERE;ROOM FOR MORE;STEVE-OPENS HIS MOUTH,AND HIS HEAD DISAPPEARS;STEVE-THE MOUTH OF MICHIGAN ETC,ETC...);let me assure all-I did NOT win the aforementioned contest-my SISTERS always did.......

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

We put up the tree and all the decorations the day after Thanksgiving.
I always read the story from LUKE about the first Christmas before we open any presents on Christmas.

 

[camel]

My house faces a highway so in the yard i build a manger scene and a 25 foot illuminated wooden cross.After dark i bring out two of my camels.people stop to take pictures and i take the kids on a short camel ride.I do this from two weeks before Christmas until Christmas eve.

 

[Mike Chgo area]

n/t

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

n/t

 

[Anonymous]

My best memories is going to grandma's old log cabin and having dinner with her and grandpa! All our family did go over the hill and through the woods to grandmother's house in a Model T Ford and then in a pickup later on! Cliff and I still remember all the good food we ate, for she was a wonderful, German cook! It was always a blessing to visit my grandmother, for we loved each other dearly!

My children enjoyed going to their grandma's and grandpa's house ( my mom and dad or my ex's parents) for Thanksgiving and Christmas too or his mom helped me cook a big meal with turkey and all the trimmings, if she came to see us for the holidays! We also went to church for the special plays and programs with the celebration of being thankful for what we have and for Christ's birth!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! All we have is because of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection! Praise His holy name! God Bless!

 

[happy harold]

Hh

 

[warthog]

..that was one of the happier ones-We also reminisced about my Dad-He LOVED Christmas,and every season we had together after he died;was not the same without him-He died in 1965,a still miss him in many ways...now that my mother is gone too(she died in the '90's),me and my sisters get together every year for Family gathering-This year,its Sunday;Dec.7th.....

 

[PeggyK]

We put up our christmas decorations early in December -
We always give our kids three presents (not all big) because that is how many Jesus got.
A fourth present for them (usually small) comes on 12th Night - January 6th - Feast of the Epiphany - because that is when the wisemen were supposed to have arrived according to liturgical presents. It also allows us to read the Christmas story one last time without the rest of the hype that surrounds December. We don't take down any decorations until after 12th night. For those who don't know - the 12 days of Christmas were actually the 12 days between December 25 & January 12th.
I used to do a nightly advent candle lighting that included reading stories of miracles and God Activity today - but now that they're teenagers they really aren't into that so much. it makes me sad because I always loved that part of the holidays, especially helping them realize that our LORD is a LORD of the here and now, not just way back then.

 

[crabby]

Crabby always fix's a big ol' pot of Oyster Stew.

 

[malaquin]

He would hand each person a present and everyone waited until each opened their gift. This way it was not a free for all, wrapping paper shredding fest. This way we were able to enjoy the gift, remember who gave what to who and show appreciation. We still open presents that way even though Grandpa has long since passed on. Our newest tradition is to grill steaks on the back deck for Christmas dinner, regardless of depth of snow or temperture.