Far too many of them involve chocolate, and eating it too early.
There's nothing particularly extraordinary about our Christmas traditions. But they're special to us.
Perhaps the most exciting is that this time of the year is the only one where I do anything remotely crafty.
Inspired by my mum's efforts before me, I seek help from my daughters and we make a replica snow covered house with small wrapped presents inside. My mum used to make a house out of a crisp box as we lived in a pub or she'd pick up some cardboard from the supermarket and make a snowman. These days we have an annual pilgrimage to Hobbycraft instead.
We label each present placed inside with the name of one half of a pair, so they may say 'salt', 'Ant', or 'big' on their wrapping. Then we write out the words making up the other half of the pairs, say 'Dec', 'pepper' and 'little' and cut them up and fold them, ready to give to our dinner guests on Christmas or Boxing Day.
After our meal we each unfold our little piece of paper and find its matching pair inside the house to see which prize we have won.
We consider this a fun alternative to crackers but the accompanying jokes are just as bad.
It's something that we very much look forward to. And it's not the only aspect of Christmas that's eagerly anticipated.
Others include eating the chocolate off the tree before we should, opening the Quality Street before we should and um opening the Christmas biscuits before we should.
Each year when we put up our tree we also head for our local garden centre where my daughters choose a favourite bauble. We're not ones for stylish, coordinated trees but as each bauble is brought out of storage, we ooh and ahh over memories of choosing it.
We also head out to Cannock Chase for a walk and try not to fall over. I don't always manage it.
Other standard activities for us have included a date with the big screen on December 23rd as we enjoyed the Santa Claus films, Narnia and the Polar Express. And we have always found a musical card for my partner Neil as well as a bottle of brandy and some Turkish delight for my dad - he's not very adventurous with his requests for presents, usually insisting he doesn't want anything. And following in his footsteps, when I'm asked I also say "nothing" or "a cuddle" and proceed to sulk or kick myself for not being more specific.
And Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas for us without at least a couple of presents going astray only to be discovered wherever I forgot I hid them the next July.
I suppose another Christmas tradition for us is laughing our heads off at my lovely mum's antics. Last year was no exception. We bought her a neck massager as a present and as she sat down to try it out in a comfy armchair, she lay back, announced she had never "felt this way before," kicked out her legs and knocked over our Christmas tree, smashing about three lovingly chosen baubles in her wake.
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21 December, 2010
Thanks for that Linda, especially the last bit about your Mom knocking over the Christmas Tree - I nearly choked on my sandwich laughing.
We have a couple of traditions too in our family. The first one, is that when we grew up, we always saw my Godmother on Christmas Eve and were allowed to open the presents from her and my Uncle. I, of course, have carried on this tradition with my son and step daughter so they get to have one present before they really should.
We also have "table presents" at the dinner table. This means that when you think you've opened all your presents, there's still one left so present opening last just a little bit longer.
The only other one we really have, which is probably the most important one of all,at the dinner table, is to raise our glasses to our absent friends and family. To my wonderful mom especially and this year it will also be to some other extremely important family that we have lost this year who would normally be with us for Christmas dinner. Although I'm sure they'll all be with us in spirit and probably having a party of their own.
Do update us with your mother's antics this year please. I shall look forward to hearing all about them.
mum
21 December, 2010
I'm laughing at your mother's antics too, Linda, and I love the Christmas house instead of crackers (I may steal that one!).
Our traditions have varied over the years - and according to the weather. The Boxing Day walk is obligatory and can mean a bracing trip to the beach. A new one is to go to the pantomime on Christmas Eve - we have to remember to book as soon as the box office opens but it really gives us that special Christmas feeling.
editor
21 December, 2010
Hi Kim - thank you - I hope you do have a wonderful Christmas remembering those you mention. If I was to write more about my mum I would fear it could get out of hand. Maggie we love the panto so much, I get a bit over excited to be honest. I can't begin to imagine how wonderful it must be to go to your local beaches on Boxing Day. The house is a lovely thing to do and a lot more care and attention goes into it than buying a pack of crackers, the presents are much better as you choose them yourself! I hope you have a brilliant Christmas.
admin
21 December, 2010
What a wonderful post Linda, it sounds like lots of fun in your house at Christmas.
Kim I love that you remember those who can't be with you at Christmas, and I might borrow your "toast" as one of our new traditions.
I'm definately with Maggie on the Boxing day walk, as normally I can hardly walk by then I've eaten so much food!
We have only had a four family Christmases so haven't really developed traditions yet, but as the children are five, three and one now, I think we should start making some, so thanks for the inspiring ideas above.
Have a wonderful Christmas all of you,
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
mum
21 December, 2010
Oh that did make me laugh. Your Mum sounds a bit like my Grandma Maudie. When we were little she used to make a big fuss about picking every little bit of leftover meat from the turkey - liberally licking her fingers between every pick - I remember feeling faintly ill at the time and not wanting the turkey pie the next day because it was bound to be laced with Grandma's dribble!
My Dad always used to split us into girl and boy teams and make us play Trivial Pursuit. Grandma would always answer the boys' questions and everyone would end up yelling. Ahh, good times.
editor
21 December, 2010
Becky why are you saying my mum sounds like your Grandma Maudie? I must share this with her. Actually the last time we played Cluedo she couldn't stop herself saying "ah, the dope with a rope" when Emily showed her a card...I won't go on.
Thank you Leigh - I hope you have a fabulous time thank you so much for all your kindness and support.