tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post5571426256780865977..comments2024-02-29T04:37:08.119-06:00Comments on Stretch Marks: Christmas At My Place.Melissa Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18372304520512615187noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-71802517060786685632008-12-19T02:19:00.000-06:002008-12-19T02:19:00.000-06:00Let me preface this by saying that I AM NOT a pare...Let me preface this by saying that I AM NOT a parent yet. But here's something my parents started when I was about 6. They let me open all of my presents on Christmas Eve. I think they did it so that they didn't have to be woken up at 4AM on Christmas to open presents. I think they were brilliant.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17309161386222997693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-57117038215685832182008-12-18T23:11:00.000-06:002008-12-18T23:11:00.000-06:00We eat cookies, hot cocoa, and watch Charlie Brown...We eat cookies, hot cocoa, and watch Charlie Brown Christmas as we decorate the tree.<BR/>We watch It's a Wonderful Life (our oldest Daughter is named Bailey)<BR/>We open new pj's on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Eve right before bed, we read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and the Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado.<BR/>Our girls all camp out together in the same bedroom on C. Eve.<BR/>We have the same overnight cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning and we always make Jesus a birthday cake. Whew: Tradition much! Lara Harris Sp. Hill TNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-61299438702192642622008-12-18T21:45:00.000-06:002008-12-18T21:45:00.000-06:00We found "Elf on a Shelf" this year and it has ben...We found "Elf on a Shelf" this year and it has benn FABULOUS!!! The kids come rushing down every morning to see who finds him first. And just one little reminder that "Speedy Red" is watching, (I know, WEIRD name, but my daughter is 5 so we let her have it), and they straighten up! Amazing. FYI The Hallmark stores are carrying the whole set with the book and all!!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16523529712572128329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-20784305417788435972008-12-18T19:55:00.000-06:002008-12-18T19:55:00.000-06:00Hey Melissa! I don't think I've left a comment in...Hey Melissa! I don't think I've left a comment in a very long while. I've turned into a lurker. (Yeah, I know. I suck.)<BR/><BR/>I've fought from the very beginning to have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at my own house, cause I knew when I had children we WEREN'T going to play the Santa-will-find-you-at-grandma's-house game. It's good to just set the precedent the first year of marriage and get it over with.<BR/><BR/>My traditions all have to deal with food. Christmas Eve dinner must include homemade French Onion Soup and Duck a l'orange. (Why? Cause every year I pick up a frozen duck on sale at Wal-Mart, and onions are pretty cheap!) Christmas morning, I make a yummy egg casserole dish that takes an hour to cook in the oven. I shove it in the oven, and by the time the presents are unwrapped--voila!--breakfast is ready!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-24737667252030320962008-12-18T14:17:00.000-06:002008-12-18T14:17:00.000-06:00I just realized that we have a LOT of traditions t...I just realized that we have a LOT of traditions that I grew up with! Some of my favorites are the PJs on Christmas Eve, reading the Christmas story before we open gifts, and opening gifts one at a time starting with the youngest person. Also, my mom always bought each of us an ornament every year. As we got older, we picked it out to reflect our interests and tastes. When I got married, she gave them to me--which was nice, or we would have had a bare tree.<BR/><BR/>This year I have read a Christmas story every night of December. It's been fun.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10065962367181064516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-48488237925278917432008-12-18T13:40:00.000-06:002008-12-18T13:40:00.000-06:00My father has a voice like James Earl Jones (no ex...My father has a voice like James Earl Jones (no exaggeration) so I make him read the kids The Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve. He usually messes up the words so it is particularly enjoyable. <BR/>My mom's family always made Fried Mush on Christmas morning. It is basically fried cornmeal, great with syrup, jam, butter and powdered sugar..all at once of course. <BR/>I also make pumpkin bread for my youngest brother who is now 16 and still delights over the IDEA of the bread.Mama Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03911842355163007285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-77343835260966592482008-12-18T10:05:00.000-06:002008-12-18T10:05:00.000-06:00We live overseas, and most of our Christmases are ...We live overseas, and most of our Christmases are more simple than when in the U.S., and we really like it that way. But our very first Christmas "just us"--like for you this year, I wasn't sure what to do. So I asked dh what he would like for Christmas Eve dinner and gave him a few choices, throwing in lasagna for an extra. So lasagna it has been every Christmas Eve for years--with homemade bread, salad, and ice cream for dessert (sometimes with special sauce for it). We eat by candlelight with Christmas music quietly in the background, and read Luke 2 afterwards. It is our quiet night before the ruckus the next day. And now, when there are singles from the U.S. in town, we invite them over to share it with us. <BR/><BR/>Christmas morning, I take monkey bread I've made ahead of time out of the freezer to thaw for 30 min. or so, then put it in the oven for fresh sweet bread for breakfast. It's on the table after gifts for breakfast snacking whenever everybody likes. Christmas Day we have lasagna leftovers, so no big work day for me. Very relaxing day, sometimes ending with friends over for games that night.<BR/><BR/>Other traditions come and go and come back again--reading of special books, etc., but these basics stay the same. We usually don't put gifts out until Christmas Eve, for various reasons, the first years because our children were toddlers! But we find that even now it helps keep us from focusing too much on the gifts.<BR/><BR/>When we are in the U.S., we still do this with just us and our kids before we head to the grandparents homes, because it is our special time together.<BR/><BR/>JoanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-34261104664896599952008-12-18T06:36:00.000-06:002008-12-18T06:36:00.000-06:00One of my favorite Chrismas traditions is that eac...One of my favorite Chrismas traditions is that each year, we buy the kids a new Christmas book. On Christmas Eve, right before bed, they unwrap the book and we read it together on the couch. Here's the catch, each year, my husband and I alternate writing in the book. One year, he writes to our children a long page about what he is seeing God do in their lives and about little things he has noticed during the year. The next year, I write in the books. The plan is for my kids to have their own collection of amazing Christmas books when they leave...for their own children. and...they will also have the handwritten journey through their childhood Christmases.It is almost impossible to get through the handwritten notes in the book without crying!I just imagine that when my kids are grown and my husband and I are with Jesus, these books will be a treasure to our own grandchildren.<BR/><BR/>My kids are both teens now and I asked if they wanted to stop getting children's Christmas books this year. Our 16 year old daughter said, "No Momma, we HAVE to have our Chrristmas book!" I pray that it is a tradition that will be enjoyed for generations!<BR/><BR/>Kate W.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-82857243105179195112008-12-17T22:46:00.000-06:002008-12-17T22:46:00.000-06:00Well, the kids get to decorate the tree...which is...Well, the kids get to decorate the tree...which is great because as much as I love Christmas, I hate decorating the tree! I TRY my best not to rearrange it when they are done :-) We put candy canes on with the ornaments and between then and Christmas we walk past and grab one and eat it if we want (or if your name is Isabel, you take a lick and put it back on the tree). We get up Christmas morning and my hubby usually cooks breakfast. Then we open gifts. I know...we need some traditions ourselves, I'll be stealin' yours along with the orginazation tips I'm watching for :-) I have seen a lot of folks talking about "Elf on the Shelf" which is new to me...I want to do that next year! Merry Christmas!!!!!katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09607021391866797662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-18328113690268104392008-12-17T21:00:00.000-06:002008-12-17T21:00:00.000-06:00All month I have been posting about our Christmas ...All month I have been posting about our Christmas traditions...but my favorite is going home with my whole family to spend Christmas Eve with my parents...I just love that!Ruby Red Slippershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621982878908986308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-75476763794850472742008-12-17T20:59:00.000-06:002008-12-17T20:59:00.000-06:00We have a birthday party for Jesus...with cake and...We have a birthday party for Jesus...with cake and everything. I want my kids to remember why we celebrate the holiday, that it is just not all about Santa and gifts. We usually do it on Christmas Eve with friends and family and this year we are starting a new tradition with our friends of letting our kids exchange Christmas books on Christmas eve at our party.G.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09765864860499490979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-53220177602375833742008-12-17T19:57:00.000-06:002008-12-17T19:57:00.000-06:00We do the birthday cake for Jesus thing too. We u...We do the birthday cake for Jesus thing too. We usually bake the cake during the day on Christmas Eve and then the kids decorate it how ever they want. Then we ask the kids how old Jesus is...which is humorous...one year Jesus 2. Then after breakfast on Christmas morning (after the present opening), we put candles on the cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus!<BR/><BR/>A tradition I'm starting this year is blogged about here - http://adelaineswindstorm.blogspot.com/2008/11/gold-frankincense-and-myrrh.html<BR/><BR/>And another one that did this year was to write imaginary names on the gifts from us to the kids. That way they won't get too snoopy!<BR/><BR/>The Coach's family always reads the story of Jesus' birth before we are allowed to open presents.<BR/><BR/>Good luck starting your own!!Adelainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12624739623309092148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-8817458182833710692008-12-17T18:47:00.000-06:002008-12-17T18:47:00.000-06:00At our house, we let our daughter buy one new orna...At our house, we let our daughter buy one new ornament a year. I'm hoping she'll take them when she's grown. Something tells me that she may not like My Little Ponies, Barbie, and Hannah Montana then. We also got Christmas jammies and wore them on Christmas morning. My mom makes an egg strata casserole for breakfast that is divine. I've read about Elf on the Shelf, but a friend told me about another elf that she enjoys better...you can find info on it adoptanelf.com<BR/><BR/>Many blessings to you!Tassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609350815199829274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-27544577631790461742008-12-17T18:16:00.000-06:002008-12-17T18:16:00.000-06:00On Christmas Eve, after all the other activities (...On Christmas Eve, after all the other activities (dinner, gifts, reading the Christmas Story, etc..) we would all sit in a circle in our living room by the tree and turn off all the lights in the house except for the Christmas tree. We would light a candle and share favorite Christmas memories. Only the person holding the candle was allowed to speak...you take turns passing the candle around. We loved this so much we all do it with our own families now. This has kept so many Christmas stories alive in our family and when other family members/friends/guests are visiting...it's fun to hear their stories too.Kaceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14894435290455866351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-69200374789902785692008-12-17T17:51:00.000-06:002008-12-17T17:51:00.000-06:00Our Christmases are a lot of running around keepin...Our Christmases are a lot of running around keeping our parents happy. I know my mother reads your blog and devours all the comments, and this will hurt her. Or maybe she's getting used to it. Who knows?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, my favorite Christmas we actually went over to a friend's house and ate home made crepes and just visited. It was WONDERFUL! It was the only thing that I have done, by choice, for a long time.<BR/><BR/>The other thing we do has helped to make me the black sheep of Leon's family. We go to a different church than everyone else, to see their drama club put on a Christmas play. To me, we can go to the regular church and hear the same old same old, BUT this way the kids are entertained, the adults have fun, AND it's a way to stand up and tell everyone that I've got my own family and am choosing to make some holiday memories of our own.<BR/><BR/>Some people I know go and look at Christmas lights, go skating, go to a movie.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!!Rhondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10916264953926347992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-65307272633110505172008-12-17T16:24:00.000-06:002008-12-17T16:24:00.000-06:00One of my favorite things we do is, the week befor...One of my favorite things we do is, the week before Christmas, we all (adults too) put on our pj's, and I pop popcorn. Then we drive around town looking at Christmas lights, eat our popcorn from brown paper bags, and drink bottles of IBC root beer. My kids love this!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241118159105980825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-41422258354207952972008-12-17T15:39:00.001-06:002008-12-17T15:39:00.001-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04284738665000116256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-83514951960512731462008-12-17T15:39:00.000-06:002008-12-17T15:39:00.000-06:00On Christmas eve, my boys like to track Santa's de...On Christmas eve, my boys like to track Santa's delivery route on Norad. http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04284738665000116256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-37667959601405394502008-12-17T14:02:00.000-06:002008-12-17T14:02:00.000-06:00One more thing. The first present we unwrap on Ch...One more thing. The first present we unwrap on Christmas morning is Baby Jesus, as a visual the kids will always have of Christ as a gift. We read the Christmas story from the Bible and reflect on the Savior that started it all.<BR/><BR/>I use the Baby Jesus from our nativity scene.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-56636119624329603102008-12-17T13:58:00.000-06:002008-12-17T13:58:00.000-06:00Everyone opens one gift on Christmas Eve (new jamm...Everyone opens one gift on Christmas Eve (new jammies - even for mom and dad). We stay in them ALL DAY on Christmas.<BR/><BR/>Stockings are last as they are the favorite part. I wrap each item individually (sorry - I know you hate wrapping) but to have a pile of 25 little things all wrapped up is my kids most very favorite part of it all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-6332706675700030432008-12-17T12:25:00.000-06:002008-12-17T12:25:00.000-06:00Every single Christmas since I can remember, I wou...Every single Christmas since I can remember, I would wake up to Christmas music playing and hot cinnamon rolls (with raisins) in the oven. We would open our presents while eating cinnamon rolls. One year, after my brother and I were both married, we went home and my mom didn't make the cinnamon rolls. We COULD NOT believe it. My mom said she never realized that we noticed she made them every year! Now, she never forgets them!The Hultman'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10521672032476112180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-50023209941900920382008-12-17T12:19:00.000-06:002008-12-17T12:19:00.000-06:00Like any good Southern family our traditions cente...Like any good Southern family our traditions center around food!My oldest is almost 3 and this year we are going to make cookies for Santa (the slice and bake kind of course, let's not get crazy-- with some sprinkles because sprinkles make life better). Christmas morning we have breakfast casserole and cheese grits. This year I asked Sam if he wanted something special to eat when Santa comes and my very southern boy wants "pig meat"AKA bacon, so we add that to the mix as well. We also do the Christmas PJ's for Christmas Eve, they make really cute pics.Tyannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03237098511227991094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-12555080463489897032008-12-17T11:55:00.000-06:002008-12-17T11:55:00.000-06:00Oh, I'm so excited you get to experience Christmas...Oh, I'm so excited you get to experience Christmas from your own home. My mom has always been very adamant about this and we had Christmas at our house every year. Our family tradition is that we each get to open one present on Christmas Eve.... and it is always pajamas. So we have nice new pjs on when Santa comes to visit and mom and dad are snapping photos left and right. I love it! Now my husband and I buy pjs for each other. We are going to visit his family in South America this year and we are taking everyone pajamas for Christmas Eve!!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813636271072744577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-39189855891157743392008-12-17T11:43:00.000-06:002008-12-17T11:43:00.000-06:00Every year my grandma has gotten me an ornament fo...Every year my grandma has gotten me an ornament for the tree, oftentimes relating to something I liked or did that year. That was always the gift I got to open on Christmas Eve, so it would be hanging on the tree in the morning! While the redundancy of getting an ornament every year didn't mean much to me as a kid, it meant EVERYTHING to me my first Christmas on my own. And it's meant everything to me every year since, when I get to dig through all the decorations and think back. Now, that's the gift I look forward to getting most each year!<BR/><BR/>Every year my grandma and I also made a giant gingerbread house. And painted ornaments. And made noodle wreaths. And homeade peanut brittle. Now that I'm thinking back, that lady was the Christmas tradition QUEEN!<BR/><BR/>One last thing she did one year when I was little was hide next to the tree until I woke up. I wandered out into the living room, where everything was dark, and just as I got close to the tree she flipped a switch and ALL the lights came on. It was MAGICAL. I can't wait to do that to my own kids one day. :DLaceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03074240282215306796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5283609455099320000.post-43254594769317699422008-12-17T11:40:00.000-06:002008-12-17T11:40:00.000-06:00Okay, I could tell you about myself (which is alwa...Okay, I could tell you about myself (which is always fun), but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't send you to http://www.robinrane.wordpress.com for holidays ideas via the ATL's sweetest southern belle. Enjoy!<BR/><BR/>Ask her for a link to her family's COSTUMED Thanksgiving photos. I'm talking the ADULTS here, woman! It is fantastic. Robin's blog is a must for seasonal reading.Anita J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13937990318873239017noreply@blogger.com