What family traditions do you have on Xmas Eve?

[octopusinasantasack]

We watch a Xmas film, Polar Express or Elf this year, eat goodies and leave the things out for FC and the reindeer.
Is there anything that you always do?

I'm very fortunate to have a wealthy father in law who treats us each year as his xmas gift to the family... we all go skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland for Christmas week (Chalet Hire). Usually have hot chocolates by the fire and play games. One rule is no phones, TV time or computer games so we actually spend time together as a family which is nice. Usually put on our snow boots and go for a walk in the snow to justify the overindulging to come : )

On the morning of the 24th we usually have caramel lattes with croissants and scrambled eggs. It's become tradition! Then last year we:

all got ready and went to a local farm and did their discovery walk (theme changes depending on the season). We took flask of hot chocolate and gingerbread biscuits with to enjoy at the lookout point.

Last year we did the elf on the shelf for the first time so I got everyone in the car and then had to go check I locked the back door and put out the hamper from the elf and hid said elf.

We had lunch out - restaurant changes every year.

Got home, DC found the hamper and which contained letters from Santa and the elf saying goodbye.

Kids got colouring in activity books in the hamper and coloured pictures for Santa.

Decorated gingerbread men for Santa while kids Christmas carols were playing. Even the adults had fun!

We always do cheese platters and hors d'oevres with the Christmas MTV & mulled wine or spiced apple for the kids on Christmas eve. Then we:

Placed candles in jars to make runway for Santa, Sprinkled reindeer food, watched Video messages from Santa for each child, left out gingerbread men, sherry and carrots for Santa with pictures kids drew.

Kids hung stockings on their beds.

Kids bathed and used lush bomb & changed into new pyjamas. Then we watched the snowman and drank hot chocolate.

We read the night before Christmas and then it was lights out for DC and the adults polished of the rest of the cheese and drank baileys!

Won't change a thing this year!

I love Christmas Eve, it's a bit "Calm Before The Storm"

Mine are older now, so our Traditions have changed.
We still do a Christmas Eve Hamper (PJs, annual, sweets, hot chocolate, mug) all in a box or basket. They have this mid afternoon with a Lush Bath Bomb .

We have our main meal at lunch time (always fish fingers for the DC , vegetable grills for DH and I, chips, salad , dips , then trifle or ice-cream)

Cinema is great on Christmas Eve, especially if DH is working.
Late night buffet, TV, then baths, PJs , bed.

DD does the tray for Father Christmas (I'm trying to convince her she's too old now ).
Last year I made a Special Key (large vintage key from eBay, gold painted with a ribbon) hung on the door.
Phone people to chat.

Night Before Christmas (book), Polar Express, Lost Christmas, A Christmas Carol (the Jim Carey animated one) - but some of these will have been watched before the 24th.

I normally hve to turn up at work for a few hours. DH and an uncle almost made a tradition of meeting at Bewleys cafe on Grafton street while they waited for their respective wive, never arranged it but met there yearly for about 6 years. Aunt now retired.

Dd now comes in with me, while DH goes to a newer coffee shop. Then we go meet him, buy any last minutes bits we need, get lunch and. Head home. Do a fair bit of prep, try to get a walk in at the local woods, dinner keeps changing but after diner, DD as youngest lights the Christmas candle, we have a little time to remind ourselves of the good and bad things that happened the past year, say a couple of prayers, lay out Santa stocking and treats for Santa (cookies baked that afternoon- I keep a roll of dough in the freezer in case we don't have time or energy to make completely fresh, carrot and milk), then open the box for new PJs for all, bath bombs for DD and I, nice shower gel for DH, and some hot choc blocks on spoons for bedtime drinks.

Then when dd has had her bath, and we have read "'twas the night before Christmas", and probably another story too, we start the last of the wrapping and prep before falling into bed.

The years we travel, we might aim for close to that, time in local city, adding in both our families, but walk, candle, stockings, bath etc. or we might actually travel on 24th after I go to work, and squish in families but still do the evening stuff ourselves if we're independent. Bit more manic of we're staying in MILs (my parents house usually too full and no beds).