Holiday traditions in your family?

Hi July family! Just wanted to wish everyone a great holiday season, and thinking about the things we do every year, wondered what others do on Christmas? Our family has a huge get together on Christmas Eve, (all aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) and has a (of course) lots of food--everyone brings something-- and everyone brings a gift, Ladies a ladies gift, men, a men's gift, and we do the "Chinese gift exchange" . Draw numbers and #1 opens a gift, #2 can open or take away #1's gift, etc, etc. Gets to be alot of fun when you get down to #15 or so! We let the little ones open a gift first so they have something to play with while the adults do their gift thing. It's total chaos by nights end, but loads of fun. Then on Christmas day, we have a layed back, just the immediate family quiet meal, and maybe catch a movie. This year, our Dallas Cowboys play so that will be the evening entertainment. So what are your plans, traditions, that you do each year?

Speaking of Dallas/ Ft Worth, I can remember a Christmas day there with my Aunt Ruth eating that fabulous texas brisket for dinner... and it was so cold outside, too. We have traveled several of the last years. This year, we'll be flying back from NYC on Christmas day, having shared a meal with Andrea and Peter two nights prior. We had planned to be at home, but the lure of travel coupled with an incredible deal gave us the incentive to make the trip. Christmas Eve, Marge and Justin will likely be skating in Rockefeller Plaza. No skates for me! Five years ago, we Christmas'd in New Orleans and had an incredible "Revillion Dinner", one of the best meals I've ever had! I am glad to see that that tradition continues there. Dave

I'm really looking forward to hooking up with you guys next weekend. Andrea told me the restaurants she recommended for dinner, there are some really good choices. I'm flying out to NY on either Thursday night or Friday morning (depends on whether or not I can get on standby for Thursday). Have a good week and I'll see you soon.

Hi Peter, You and Andrea have a great xmas! I just wantd to chime n: Dave is a WONDERFUL old soul and it was a PLEASURE to meet him - i only wish we had spent more time together! Enjoy! and merry xmas! nan