What xmas family traditions do you have

[Molly333]

Hello all . I was wondering what family xmas traditions you have? I would like to adopt some in my house

We wrap up the door so DC have to burst through on Xmas morning. Also do the naughty elf.

Stockings are unwrapped on our bed. Someone will pop downstairs for cups of tea, then the four of us sit on the bed and we open the stocking presents. Everyone has one. If we have guests we do it on the landing/stairs. I live finding bits of wrapping paper in bed. Big presents are done mid morning.

We have a BBQ for Christmas dinner. Decided when the kids were babies that neither of us wanted to cook a big dinner.

Trifle for breakfast

We open the presents in our bed

Some years, if we don't have guests, rather than a big dinner we do all day party food

We don’t really “do” traditions.

But now they are older we go out for lunch Christmas eve and a walk. Then turkey sandwich for supper with wine.

Christmas Day is just us.

Boxing day is sport day here. They all watch football so i potter, watch a film or find a mountain to walk if its not too stormy.

And drink wine.

New pyjamas to wear on Christmas Eve. Probably the modern day 'Christmas Eve box' but this was the 90s!

prepping the veg on christmas eve afternoon while listening to carols on the radio
midnight mass
stockings opened on our bed
dh creeping downstairs ahead of the kids 'to see if he's been' and putting all the fairy lights on so when th e k ids walk in it looks all magical
taking it in turns to open presents so everyone can ooh and ahh over all the gifts and we can write down who they are from for thank you letters

board games after dinner

the snowman

This is so lovely please keep it coming

New PJs Xmas Eve.
We a sit down to watch The Snowman ( 'Snowman & Snowdog' now aswell!) on Xmas Eve and whatever Julia Donaldson/ Bear Hunt adaption is shown that year too.
Cookie, milk and carrots on the plate for santa and Rudolph at bedtime.
Chocolates/selection boxes for Christmas day breakfast.

Take the children on the first weekend in december to choose a new decoration for the tree each. We write their name and age on the back of each one.
On boxing day, we get the children to write their thank you letters for family members and pop them in the post box.

Our Christmas traditions start in October half term when we make the Christmas cake. Everyone who is in the house has to stir it and make a wish.
This year my youngest two are at universities so I thought there would on be me and DH to stir the cake but then 2 grandchildren came for a visit (pre-lockdown and we are in a medium risk area), so I was very happy!