Xmas traditions...

[anais]

I know its early yet, but I was just wondering if anyone had any family traditions for Xmas. We don't 'do' father Christmas (but please lets not start a debate about that...) and wanted to start some of our own family traditions. Preferably some which emphasise the true meaning of Xmas (though not in a religious way).

If anyone has any clue what I mean (and I know I haven't put that very well) then I would love to hear.

Thank you!

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our tradition is to go to the pub for our xmas dinner and to stay away from relatives

Most of our Christmas is to do with Father Christmas, and going to Midnight Mass (pre DD) or to a Chrstingle service - not much help really I guess, sorry.

I am always interested on what others do in these situations though - often fascinating.

On christmas nite,we all play board games and spend time with the familly,to us christmas is about spending quality time with the ones you love..when you say u dont do fF.C do you mean u dont celebrate with presents???

Harman and Conneely, we do have presents, but we don't believe in FC. I have chosen to be as honest as possible with my children and I believe the FC myth is lying to them. As I said, I really don't want to start a debate about this, it is just my opinion.

We play the same cheesy Christmas cd every year, oh and always wear the silly hats out of the crackers!! Plus this is dd's first christmas so obviously an extra special one!!

We always (well it usually ends up as the female members of the family) spend Christmas Eve making really nice biscuits or something, then sit together wrapped up in duvets eating them a watching a film. Feels really Christmassy when it's freezing outside and the tree lights are the only lights on!!

Harman, there was a very long debate about FC last year. Have a search, and you will find it. Not that you can't discuss whatever you want to, but it did get covered in a lot of depth

Go to

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=67&threadid=4658&stamp=021115112212

Get yourself a cuppa before you start, it is a long, but excellent read!

anais here is the doormats traditions

well from about 3am xmas morning (woken by kids as we have just got into bed)we go and watch them unwrap their prezzies and then dh and I go back to bed for an hour or 2.

morning- run around headless whilst trying to do the veg and the rest of the dinner and pudding(it takes me 2 days to make) and serve it to a bunch of not hungry family because they have scoffed their selection boxes behind my back.Every year the same words come out of my mouth-"I have spent 2 days on this you bunch of ingrates and you are going to bloody eat it"-so I spose that is one of our traditions

afternoon what joy that involves me cleaning and washing every dish, cutlery kitchen untensils and pans we own and then cleaning the kitchen.

t-time visit relatives and listen to the boring bullshit stories that I know word for bloody word. They always get dragged out dont they.I just usually sit there and hold my head in my hands.

7pm onwards get myself glammed up and go on the piss about 9pm when the kids have settled down.We go to our local and get drunk and I dance (last year it was a pole dance-oh the shame)and make a fool of myself but I dont care as I deserve it for what I have been put through

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don't know if this is any use- I haven't read them myself- but the Steiner lot are big on festivals. Often seem tp involve candles and lanters. May give you some ideas- apologies if its religious- I haven't looked.

www.elib.com/Steiner/Festivals/Christmas/index.php

Twinkie, Surely his brother will include you and dd??
I would be absolutly furious if I were you and you are deliberatley excluded.
What the hell buisness is it of your brother inlaw as to your financial situation.
Don't be embarrased if he excludes dd get angry.
What would your dp do/say if this happens?

A friend's family has what I think is a really neat tradition is that they write a 'what they love about that person' in a small card and give one to each member of the family at Christmas time each year. I just thought it was a lovely way of mentioning positive personal things in what has become an extremely commercial time of the year. It is also something you can keep and refer to during difficult times in the future.