Little personal Christmas traditions

[WombleishMerryChristmasOfThigh]

Every year, in the run up to Christmas, I read three books; Jilly Cooper's 'How to Survive Chritmas', 'Hogfather', by Terry Pratchett and, finally, in the 2 or 3 nights before Christmas Eve, 'A Christmas Carol'. I've done this every year for at least the past 8 or 9 years. This year I'm going to start a new personal tradition of watching three DVDs, which will be 'Hogfather', 'Flint Street Nativity' and a version of 'A Christmas Carol'.

What little, personal Christmas traditions do you do, purely for yourself?

You should do something indulgent, just for you, TL.

Thank you, @Honeybee85. That sounds fab, does it bring back memories for you when you look at each piece? And if you can't eat your favourite foods for breakfast at Christmas, then when can you? I usually have chocolate, or sometimes toasted brioche loaf, which we don't have the rest of the year.

I spend a day at the BBC Good Food Show with a friend and also have a day out at the local spa.

What a lovely way of thinking, @riotlady. I suppose, if you have a young family, a tiny bit of time all to yourself is to be treasured, especially so at this time of year.

I always do what is known as an event called 'nibbles' on Christmas Eve, it's been a very simple event for years, it's where, whichever selection of the (adult) kids are around at that time (with any friends or partners if relevant) As it says on the tin, I just knock up a few batches of party nibbles and we have a few drinks. It's completely optional so not everyone comes at one time but at least somebody always has done previous years.

For the first time in years I might not be doing it because everyone seems to be busy elsewhere all at the same time this year!

If I'm not doing that this year, I shall be wanting a nice cheeseboard to nibble on all to myself (dh doesn't like cheese so he can have a nice desert or something!).

I am another one who likes to re-read Dylan Thomas’ Child’s Christmas in Wales. I have a lovely little illustrated version with pictures by Edward Ardizzone. The Mousehole Cat by Nicola Bayley is another favourite.

My cats love Christmas, a tree in the house for them to denude of baubles, lots of new toys and Dreamies at regular intervals to keep their strength up for more games and romping.

Yes to Holly and Ivy, Child’s Christmas in Wales and Letters to Father Christmas, all lovely to read in the run up

Sounds lovely, Yo. The Gin Cats must have fun in your house, when you aren't using them as cat-slave labour as manicurists How did that go, btw?

Sounds very enjoyable, DT. What to you do that's just for you, apart from cheese?

DT did you know ASDA are selling a cheese advent calendar? Very tempted to get one to go with the cheeseboard crisps. Would involve eating all the early dates at once which would be a great hardship.

I watch Carols from Kings and eat a chocolate orange after everyone has gone to bed.

I light a candle for my (long gone) grandmother on her December birthday and then every night after that until the New Year.

I always go Out for an hour on my own on Christmas Eve - have a coffee, pick up any little last minute treats and soak up the festive feeling.

I've watched Hogfather (not as good as the book, IMO). Now watching Scrooged

A chocolate orange by oneself is as good a tradition as any!

Tacky, that is so touching about your grandmother ❤️ And as I said before, time alone can be very valuable for those with families to take care of at Christmas. Here, I t's just me and DH, so I can be as selfish as I like

Yo A CHEESE ADVENT CALENDAR??

Always The Flint St nativity. It's my absolute favourite. We always read the Night before Christmas at bedtime and listen to a Dylan Thomas recording of a Child's Christmas in Wales. I love the appearing Robin's who leave on twelfth night.

Another vote for the Flint Street Nativity. We have watched it every year since it was first on tv and we recite the lines as we go.

Another peculiarity of our family is the kangaroo in the Nativity scene. It was started when oldest daughter was in preschool. An older cousin was in Australia over Christmas and she missed him so placed a kangaroo in the Nativity so we didn't forget him.

My younger son posted a pic of the Nativity scene he and his wife set up last weekend and older son immediately went online and sent him a suitable scale kangaroo.

Ohh I watched the Flint Street Nativity many years ago , it is quite sad in parts .
I loved Paul Kaye (in anything , even Game of Thrones !) , I watched A Child's Christmas in Wales a while ago (he just sits there being an arse IIRC , but I still would )

DD and I watch "Lost Christmas" (Eddie Izzard film)
We go up to London for a wander round Oxford Street (usually 22nd/23rd depends on when I'm working ) . Get some last minute things .
TV Times and 4 highlighter pens to each mark off programmes

All the soaps and their thoroughly miserable Christmases . If there's an Eastenders Christmas Compilation I'll watch that .

The Cookery programmes (even though everyone says I watch them them cook the same as always . Some things should not be meddled with IMO)

We had guinea-pigs until early this year , we used to do a photo of them on a Christmas fleece and attempt to balance hats on their furry little heads .
We have two cats now who will not oblige us in hat wearing but might sit on a fleece for a photo .

We have Winter/ Christmas Bedding -this year it went on Nov 1st because it is freezing

I do my lists (and lists of lists) pinned up on the fridge until they're whittled down to one list .

And - a spooky story for Christmas Eve . Not horror , more twist in the tale with a ghost thrown in.

Mine's kicking in as soon as the kettle's boiled - Love Actually whilst writing cards in front of a roaring fire with house all Christmassy!!

I read a book called How far to Bethlehem by Norah Lofts, an old favourite of mine.
Christmas Eve we have a huge gammon, with crusty bread, lots of lovely cheeses , pickles and home made chutney, then we exchange new pyjamas and do our stockings! My dd is 29 and still uses the sack with her name on she had when she was a child! Christmas Eve is the best day in my opinion 😊

I usually watch The Nutcracker ballet. I have 2 on DVD, the Royal Ballet and a very old Bolshoi one.

Nearly always a late night walk with dh on Christmas Eve, to find a nice fresh bit of holly to stick in the Christmas pudding.

Def. the Radio Times, though don't usually buy it. Make a note of anything worth recording that we'll never get round to watching live. Still have the Disney Cinderella from at least 2 Christmases ago - very popular now with Gdcs.

Carols from King's, though I'm not at all religious. IMO you don't have to believe any of it to find the readings from the King James Version of the bible beautiful.

I always plan a day for my husband and I to spend together. We go to Christmas markets and for a nice lunch. It's my non-negotiable as it's our time together. I also wrap presents whilst listening to buble and use a Christmas mug from 1st December.

Love the book tradition!

Scrooged (Bill Murray) has to be on the television whilst I decorate the tree

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER We're going to see the Bolshoi Nutcracker next Sunday, relayed to the cinema we go to. We've seen the Royal Ballet version like this twice before. It's absolutely magical!

I wrap presents the second weekend of December and I always have a gin and tonic and I always watch love actually as I wrap.

We always give our dc a small Christmas themed soft toy on Christmas Eve, and then all of our little reindeer/Santa’s/snowmen that we’ve collected over the years are dotted about our home when we put the tree up.

Oh and we have to watch the snowman before going to bed on Christmas Eve. With a nice hot choc and mini mallows.