Christmas at Our House
My sister and I are only two and a half years apart and yet we now find ourselves in very different stages in our lives. Don’t get me wrong, we laugh about it. But, as Christmas has grown closer, I’ve realized there may be things I may or may not have changed about Christmas at our house.
Our Children
My sister and her husband were blessed with very surprising news last year – she was pregnant. It wasn’t suppose to be possible, and yet they were expecting. So this year, as I have a daughter who is a freshman in high school and a son now a senior in high school (enter tears here), she is just beginning her journey with a little one. And so, the Christmas tradition talks began.
Christmas at My House
My kiddos were very young when their dad and I split up, but the one “rule” we implemented was Christmas Eve and Christmas would ALWAYS be at our house. The kids would get tucked into their own beds at night and open their gifts Christmas morning in pj’s in their own living room. To this day, that has never changed, and until my daughter is on her way, it never will. And while some families venture out and about on Christmas day, we always agreed we would welcome family over but the kids had the day to stay snug in their pajamas and play with new gifts, eat, or be lazy on the couch with movies, books, or whatever was crammed in their stockings.
The Christmas Eve Tradition
Growing up, my sister and I were always allowed to choose one gift to open on Christmas Eve. I remember how excited we were each year – the days leading up to it and trying to narrow down which gifts to choose from. It was a tradition I carried on with my kids as well and it looks like my sister will too.
The Christmas Meal
This may be where I wish I had done it differently. My sister has decided they will start a family tradition of Hawaiian and Filipino food for their Christmas day meal. As she flooded my messages with pictures and ideas, I was drooling and wondered how I didn’t think of this all these years. Growing up, we always had the traditional ham or turkey with sides. Hawaiian and Filipino food was something mom made occasionally, and makes often when she’s able to visit the kids and I. They love it and this has me wishing I had sprinkled a little bit of her heritage into our Christmas meal. But Baby B will grow up enjoying this as his Christmas meal tradition.
Appreciating Family
This year has really taken its toll. With Covid comes many family traditions that may be put on hold. So many of us long to be with loved ones during the holidays and it just isn’t possible. We will be implementing some Face Time Christmas calls to feel close this year as I’m sure many of you will be too.
We’d love to hear some of your favorite Christmas traditions. Did you pass any on from your childhood? Did your children pass any on to your grands?
Have a safe and wonderful Christmas, whatever your plans may be!
~ Lisa
