Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without...

[MissMashMissMash]

What are everyones favourite silly little Christmas traditions that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without for you?

I think mine would be

Listening to carols from kings whilst putting up Christmas tree

Carols by candlenight

Watching Love actually roughly four weeks before Christmas

Wearing new socks from stocking on Christmas day

Blue Peter carols around Christmas tree ( actually not seen this for a couple of years, do they still do this?)

going on a big walk and collecting greenery to make my Christmas wreath.

going to the cider press and buying some cider to mull on Christmas eve.

taking delivery of a mixed case of wine

writing Christmas cards whilst drinking baileys

A good family row. :)

Pretending we love each other

Watched love actually today, feeling quite Christmassy as a result

definitely going to do the PJs on christmas eve - just told DH about it (we don't have kids, though, so it'll be just us)

nine lessons and carols one week before
midnight mass, (where we sing verse 7 of o come al lye faithful for the only time in the year, I love that bit! )
opening stocking only on christmas morning, then going up to frinsted for the big christmas service (where they force ask me to sing the solo for once in royal david's city)
then home for pressies and watching cats get confused by it all.
and up to my parents on boxing day (for 3 whole days this year!!)

We are going to celebrate advent this year and it starts this Sunday (i think - as Xmas day is Sun this year hope it didn't start last Sunday). Have bought a lovely book to read DD a story each night so i guess 1st of December it will officially start as there are 23 stories.

Nickel - your names get better and better, really love this one. Can't wait to see what your Easter name is (if you have any bright ideas for my Xmas name let me know)

Driving round a few nights before looking at the festive lights

Cutting holly to bring indoors on Christmas eve

Taking DS for a big walk on Christmas eve always works a treat bed by 7-30 asleep by 8

Saying every year we will have a relaxed Christmas Eve yet somehow we are always building a trampoline or wooden fort at midnight- DH grumpy me gagging for a wine

Finding nothing decent on tv and working our way through a boxed set

LadyInPink, sorry to break it to you, but Advent Sunday was the 28th November. It's already gone.

But we had a very lovely advent carol service and buffet on Sudnay evening.

You'll probably still get crib services.

(advent sunday is always 4 sundays before christmas, so if christmas is on a sunday, Advent sunday will be earlier)

christmas day is a Saturday, just checked the calendar!

can't think of any good names for you :( , but i'll have a think. :)

Dp and I always watch the Christmas cookery programmes while wrapping presents .

My lovely Christmas edition of the Radio Times.

Making reindeer food with DC.

Going to see my Grandma on Boxing Day.

nickel thanks for that - i had just realised once i checked calendar, oops. I was only going to celebrate at home though so will light candle maybe Friday this week and again on Sunday

Will def try and make the Christingle service as that is so sweet for LO's.

Re: my Xmas name - i have only thought of LadyInPinkWrappingPaper but it's a bit lame and not a play on words like your name! Any other thoughts would be gratefully received

i'll start a namechanging thread for you.

hang on....

MrsdeVere the butterflies sound lovely :)

We are still building up our traditions but so far:

Buying radio times and marking with pen :o
Being taken shopping to tesco by my dad (we have no car) which does happen throughout the year, but for the Xmas shopping my dad pays as we do the cooking :)
Carols from Kings in the background
Choosing a lovely new tree ornament for each dc

And one which I need help with (will start separate thread) - there is a particular type of sweet we always had at Xmas and I can't find them anywhere.