Well, I'm sort of making my own traditions now.  My paresnt and oldest siter are all gone. My other sister lives in New Orleans and we are not close.  As a church musician I can always be found at at least one if not more Chirstmas Eve services.  I always get dozens of invitations to spend Chirstmas Eve or Day with friends, but I usually turn them down.  No matter how welcome I know that I am, Christmas is a time for family.  I cannot help but feel like an intruder.  The past few years I have been treating myself to several dvds I have wanted, books htat I want to read, etc.  I open gifts on Chirstmas Eve when I get home from church.  On Chirstmas Day i relax, eat something I love and have prepared in advance (!!!) and read or watch dvds.  Now that I have my fur baby Biscuit I will have the fun of watching him with all his new toys! In the afternoon I visit the cemetary where my family is.

Sounds pretty depressing, but it isn't!  Christmas is work time for musicians!  I am just as happy to be by myself and resting!

Well John I don't find it at all depressing!  Traditions must begin somewhere.  Your tradition begins in 2008..you are giving love and attention to Biscuit!  I am equally sure that all of your friends would LOVE to have you with them.


Living in a military community we frequently spend the holiday with some young man or woman who is far from home and alone.  Seems someone in the family meets a person and invites them and we love having them with us.  We have made some wonderful friendships and we miss them deeply when they leave.

However,  The DVD and relaxing thing well that sounds pretty good....I look forward to the Day after Because that's exactly what I have planned!

MERRY CHRISTMAS...

Lisa

What CHRISTmas tradition must you have to make this day feel right?  On Christmas Eve, we read the Christmas story.  We leave Santa cookies and milk on Christmas Eve, along with carrots for the reindeer.

We wait until Christmas morning after SANTA has visited us to open gifts.  Yes, Santa is still alive in our home, and always will be with Jessie here.  She VERY MUCH believes in Santa, and from what we have seen, she will probably never understand the difference between fantasy and reality. 
As the gifts are being opened, a pan of Monkey Bread is cooking in the oven, so when the kids are finished opening gifts the bread is done and HOT!

Is it a specific food that grandma made?  Always Chicken and Dressing and Squash Casserole!
Is it the story of CHRISTmas? (on Christmas Eve)
Is it a game you play? no
Is it just a series of events? yes
Tell us how you will make this a CHRISTmas to remember for your family.....  This will be the first Christmas that Tim & I will be Grandparents, so we are starting the tradition of the kids/grandkids coming to OUR house!

Some may not understand this, but I have to say that Jessie's amazement and joy for Christmas and Santa and all things pleasant would be so wonderful to hold on to.

Shame we have to grow up!  Childhood truly is the BEST of times.!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lisa

((Lisa))
We go to 2 different Christmas Eve services at our church. (one is the children's and Jacob usually participates).
We don't travel home for Christmas anymore. We use to.. but Christmas has gotten so commercialized and well, we are not into all of that and not both of our families are what we want to be around and our boys on Christmas. Christmas to us -- should be simple.
Simply Christmas. Celebrating the birth of the King - Our Savior.
So we do just that. We bake a birthday cake. Read the bible and just enjoy a Simple time at home. (and late in the afternoon we go over to my cousin's house and eat and enjoy birthday cake with them!)

Christmas Eve we usually go to a movie or rent a movie. My boys are older,so it takes some of the fun out of it for me.
Our biggest tradition..we get up on Christmas morning and go eat at Waffle King. We started this 4 years ago. While t5here we have come across many a traveler, lonesome server, etc. We usually leave and extra large tip..just to put a smile on someone's face!

I personally started something this year from an idea I got in a magazine. If I have an item I truly love ( a purse, sweater, etc) and someone comments on hoe nice it is and asks where I got it..I give it to them if it fits. My only stipulation is that it be passed on after a while to someone else who will love it..etc.

I LOVE HISTORY!

Valkyrie opens Christmas Day!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm thinkin..............

I like the idea of gifting the thing that a friend admires.  I COOK COOK COOK all day Christmas From Breakfast to Lunch!  But, I LOVE it!!!!  I Love to Cook!  That's how I ended up at three hundred pounds!  A good COOK MUST TASTE!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lisa

Hey {{{{JULIE}}}

Christmas is very commercial in the mainstream secular world.  For many years I "OVERDID" it.  This year I toned it down a bit!  Many gifts are handmade or sewn this year.  It feels better on my wallet as well as in my heart!

Merry Christmas...

Lisa

Well it is Christmas Eve at my parents my Mom Cooks a ham and we have sandwiches and finger foods, all the homemade goodies . We then exchange gifts. Christmas day is filled with dinner kids and grand kids at my house. My mom and dad comes by and eats dinner with me , then they eat supper with my sister. My kids and I exchange Gifts Christmas Day. We all go load up in cars Christmas night and see the lights and back home for Hot Cocoa and look at pictures from Christmas past. I hope you have a Blessed Christmas Lisa

Oh Vickie....

Love the family traditions!  Thinking about the homemade goodies, the ham, the dressing, the turkey, the pies, the cakes, puddings, yams, OH MY OH MY OH MY!

Then the Lights and hot cocoa!  We go to Christmas City in Ariton, AL...Take a Thermos full of Cocoa and have a lovely ride through the Lights.

Blessings and a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa