Neither my husband nor I are from here, so we are always traveling over the holidays. Since my husband won't be able to take much time off work over the holidays this year (if any), we are going to be home on Christmas Eve for the first time since having kids. We always enjoy our time with our families out-of-state, but have often wished we could be home on Christmas Eve & Christmas morning. Well, now that this year our wish is coming true, we don't know what to do with ourselves! (We will be traveling late Christmas morning instead.) Some good friends have invited us over for a Christmas Eve dinner with their family, and we're very grateful for that, but I'm wondering what sort of family traditions you have for just your immediate family on Christmas Eve. I would like to find something fun & memorable to do with just the four of us, perhaps starting a new tradition. Thanks!
We dress in pajamas and bring a thermos of hot chocolate and some cookies and drive all over and look at the beautiful Christmas lights. There is a spectacular display in Elgin off West Spring Street and McClean Blvd. (Just about a half mile west of that intersection on Spring.) if you need a starting point. It's worth the drive no matter where you live!
E., your post doesn't say which city you live in but at your childrens ages any streets will do. Take the kids and look at the lights. listen for santa's reindeer. we always make gingerbread houses. this is a tradition at our house. no matter how old my kids get (they are 27, 20, 19 and 13) they always make time for this. we get enough that there are 2 people to a house we set the camcorder on to tape and then go to it. we have some wonderful memories on tape for the kids. this year my daughters husband is in iraq and won't be here to help so we are sending him a gingerbread video. its the memories that the kids will love. little things make big impressions on them.
S.
When my children were small, under 5 we were visiting relatives every year on Christmas Eve. Because there were such a large qroup of adults and older children during that time, we found that our little ones were overwelmed by all of the commotion. They would open their presents, but often get lost in the wrapping paper, literally. Everything seemed very rushed and sometimes we weren't aware of what gifts they even recieved. One year we decided to at least celebrate Christmas Eve with just the children. It was very special and we were able to start some of our own tradions, which include everyone getting new pajamas on christmas Eve, lighting a candle for baby Jesus and baking cookies for Santa. On Christmas morning after everyone opens presents and finds their stocking we then get together with other relatives.
We have continued this tradition for the last 10 years at it is still special to all of us. Even though our oldest children our now preteens and teens they still and I beieve always will appreciate our family traditions.
Your children are little yet, but when our girls were older, we would go downtown Chicago to go ice skating and look at the Christmas windows. We brought a thermos of hot chocolate for the ride home. Then later we would have a light supper and go to Mass together. It was a great family time.
M..
Hi E.,
My husband and I have been doing this with our children to the last 8 years and my kids love it! We live in the country so every Christmas eve we have a "snacky" dinner before going to early church. Then we drive around and look at the lights in the subdivisions. When we get home we put on a Christmas movie that the kids pick out and everyone puts their pj's on and we all cover up and sit together on the couch. When the movie is over we read "The Night Before Christmas" and set out Santa's cookies.
It's great fun and the kids are already talking about what movie they want to watch this year! Whatever you decide your children will love it and remember for years and that is the best part! Best Wishes!
Hi,
Our Family of 5 (kids 7,5,4) usually takes the train to Downers grove and to eat at 2 toots (a train restaurant) and then take the train back home. We also make homemade pizza as a family for dinner and then get our new jammies on and get in the car and go look at Christmas lights.
Good luck!
One thing my family always does and I have done since I was a kid, is we take a drive around town and look at the Christmas lights. My kids love to do this and I always did it as a kid! It just always seemed magical. My dad also used to read us The Night Before Christmas before bed and I do that with my kids now. Just some ideas.
E.,
Christmas Eve is my birthday as well so during the day we go over to my Mom's house for my birthday and then we come home and make a rib dinner, play board games, and watch A Christmas Story (my favorite Christmas movie), just the three of us. After my daughter goes to sleep we put together whatever toys we need to and put everything under the tree. Then her Dad and I hang out and play card games and just enjoy looking at the tree. We just have a very laid back, cozy, calm night and just enjoy being together. It's nice. Christmas night after we do the rounds of family visits if when we drive around and look at lights.
Happy Holidays!
A.
It's wonderful to start your own family traditions! All of our family is out of state also and we enjoy staying home, atleast until later Christmas day! We go to church Christmas Eve, then we let the kids open one present that night, then we put the kids to bed and my husband and I sit by the tree and relax with a glass of wine, then we are usually up by 7:00am. This year we are driving 7 hours on Christmas day to see my husband's side of the family, I am not looking forward to that, the kids are going to want to play with their toys, not be trapped in the car for hours! Anyway, enjoy the time home and start your own traditions! Merry Christmas!
We usually just have a relaxing day at home Christmas Eve. At night we sit around watching Christmas movies and drinking hot cocoa in our new Christmas jammies (everyone gets a new pair every year). Before bed the kids gets to pick one present to open (the rest get opened in the morning) and then we write a note to Santa to set out with the cookies and milk.
