whats you christmas eve traditions?

[mrsEbruce]

We always have new pjs, a take away, a good christmas film the dcs get to choose any present from under the tree to open.

Do any of you get upto the same or have different christmas eve traditions?

This year is a new tradition as I've made up an Elf parcel for the DC to open on Christmas Eve. It comprises of PJ's, DVD (Arthur Christmas), sweets and a sticker book. Idea taken from one of the Christmas threads! Just hope DS1 believes the parcel was left by an Elf!

We go to christingle. We're not religious and I'm not entirely sure what christingle is all about but its a lovely way to start things off. We go home, have tea and watch Polar Express. DC have a present which is always new pjs. We leave the usual for Santa and there is always a boot print in special Santa snow talcum powder on the hearth in the morning

We go to Mass.

My mum and I go out for lunch, just the two of us which is lovely.

DP and I have decided to start a new tradition this year and have the christmas ham for christmas eve tea, after tea we put out bowls of sweets and watch a christmas film then go to midnight mass at the cathedral, home for hot chocolate and open 1 present each before bed.

I think I love christmas eve more than the actual day itself!

My mum and I go for a wander round the shops and have lunch together (this year we are going for a fancy champagne afternoon tea)
Later on in the evening we have a picky tea, with a home cooked ham, roasties, pickles, breads, cheese, etc while playing trival pursuit
After your bath/shower, you get you Xmas pyjamas to open ready for Santa. (I have started this with DD and my mum still gets me new pjs and I'm 26 )

New Pj's, special hot chocolate with cream, choc flake crumble and marshmellows, buffet, set table for xmas day. I want to add a new tradition so will watch with interest.

Clean the house in the morning, as Santa doesn't come to untidy rooms. Bake ham and make stuffing for Christmas day and then go for a afternoon walk in the cold to see all the Christmas lights in neighbourhood. Dinner is formal and usually salmon, but always fish. And have crackers. Christmas eve children's telly before bath and New pyjamas.

Then the annual semi drunken putting together of DC's presents for the morning. A row about instructions for fiddley toy is Christmas eve here!

We do the new pjs, takeaway and Christmas film and my best friend always visits to exchange presents which we all open then we have a glass or two of wine