Christmas Traditions

My best friend Kelli posted something on her blog, Jelli Beans, about Christmas traditions.  I thought that it was a great post and she has gotten quite a few responses.  (She also has more readers than I do, though.)  I figured that I’d steal her idea to see what my readers do.  (Here is your chance to de-lurk yourself all you lurkers out there!  Take it!)

With James of the age now that he is really starting to understand about Santa Claus and is quite impressionable, we have made the decision that all Christmases will be held at our house going forward.  While Santa knows if you are traveling, with two kids in tow (or soon to be anyway), it is much easier for Santa to climb down our chimney than to have to remember where it is that we are staying Christmas Eve. 

I can remember when Jim and I took our pre-marital classes through the Catholic church.  There were many great activities that we did, one of which was answer a bunch of questions about how we expect to live our lives (with or without conflict) and how to resolve that conflict.  The number one question that our priest asked us (and we had to answer separately) was when do we put up the Christmas tree.  This was something that we had never discussed, and having such a short courtship and engagement, we hadn’t experienced this tradition yet, I don’t think.  In any case, our answer was exactly the same, though it was completely different from what we had grown up doing.

With both of our parents being single moms and teachers, our Christmas trees didn’t go up until school was out.  This usually meant the week before Christmas.  (I can’t exactly remember if this was true in Jim’s home, but this is how it was in ours.  Pam- your turn to fill in the blank for me.)  But, Jim and I both answered right after Thanksgiving.  It always saddened me that we didn’t have our tree up right away, though the whole month of December, with the fresh tree smelling the house of pine.  But then again, if it really bothered me that much I could have volunteered to do it myself.  (Hello- 12 year old kid steals mom’s truck to buy family Christmas tree.  Then burns down house when she forgets to water it!)  Oh- I can see it now!  That’s exactly what the headlines would have read. 

Back to my original point… here are a few traditions that Jim and I have adapted since merging into our family. 

1)  Christmas Eve dinner is always lasagna.  This was Richie’s choice, but something that we always grew to love and appreciate.  It’s been a continued tradition since I have married Jim.

2)  Did you know that Santa doesn’t always wrap his gifts?  He did in our house.  Everything was wrapped, whether it was from Santa, Mrs. Claus, or mom.  And, sometimes Santa shipped his presents to the “big kids” houses before Christmas Eve… it gave him more time to spend assembling bikes and trains and Barbie doll vans.  Those presents would go under the tree upon arrival.  No peeking though!  He’ll come back and get them if he gets wind of that! 

That being said, in the Roe household Santa did not wrap any gifts.  He left your stocking and present unwrapped on the couch, floor, or whatever designated area was yours for the special morning.  He also left your stocking, which was filled not with candy but some big ticket items (whatever would fit), next to your pile (to easily identify which pile belonged to whom, I assume.)  This was quite a (pleasant) shocker to me my first Christmas with Jim.  We have continued this tradition since being married. 

3) I have started the tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day.  No candles, because the house might catch fire, but I think it’s important to make Him a cake and sing Him Happy Birthday.  This tradition was something that I came up with on my own and have incorporated through the years. 

These are just some of my traditions… what are yours?