Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so I thought I’d share my family traditions for this time of year.
When I was a kid growing up my parents had two different businesses and worked 363 days of the year. The only days they didn’t work were Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. So we had our special Christmas dinner Christmas Eve and then on Christmas Day there was no cooking apart from heating croissants for breakfast – it really was a day off. We’d go to Church in the morning, head home to open presents and then go for a picnic by a creek (so we could swim – summer remember).
Now that I have my own family, we’ve still kept this tradition going. Our Christmas Eve dinner is always special (this year it’s pork belly with all the trimmings including roasted apple, followed by salted caramel chocolate cheesecake). On Christmas morning we are going to open presents and then I’m going to make gluten free cinnamon scrolls for breakfast (instead of the croissants).
We did have plans to go for a picnic and swim at a local creek, but the weather is looking a bit dodge, so we’ll play it by ear. But there will be no cooking – we have lots of food to pick at on the day… cold turkey and ham, salads, leftovers from Christmas dinner, cheeses, dips, chips, chocolates, slice (you get the idea). If we were on the coast we’d have prawns, but being inland we can’t get them fresh, so will go without this year.
If we can’t go for our traditional picnic we’ll spend time playing board games, watching a movie and relaxing. No matter what, it will be a wonderful day.
Do you have any traditions you follow at Christmas?
December 24, 2020 at 12:39 am
That sounds like an awesome day for you! We go to church on Christmas Eve and have our big Christmas dinner [turkey, stuffing, yams, etc] on Christmas Day. I like your idea of “no cooking on Christmas” though!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful and blessed day.
December 24, 2020 at 10:02 pm
Thanks, Dena. I hope you are able to gather your family together. Have a fabulous day.
December 24, 2020 at 1:13 am
So lovely! Our traditions: church on Christmas eve, then my brother and I watch “white Christmas”. Now usually with my parents. We used to watch so it ended at midnight but not anymore hahaha
I make breakfast, we eat, then stockings and presents, relax until lunch which is usually shrimp and appetizers to keep it light, dad gets the turkey in the oven and naps around his basting schedule, snacking all afternoon too! Lol everyone else just does their own thing, then dinner with my mom’s sister over and sometimes her friend as well. Its a good day! Haha then boxing day usually dinner at my uncle’s.
December 24, 2020 at 10:03 pm
Oh, the thought of staying up to midnight just isn’t as appealing as it used to be. Sounds like you have a well established tradition for Christmas. It’s a shame covid has spoilt it for this year.
December 24, 2020 at 2:26 am
Traditions whatever they are are beautiful. I love yours. And your tree is perfect!
December 24, 2020 at 10:04 pm
Thanks, Jacqui (and I love my tree).
December 24, 2020 at 3:42 am
Love your tree! Usually we will drive up to designated forest land and cut one down, but not this year due to the wildfires we had. Also my sister is not coming from Seattle because travel is discouraged. But thank goodness I still have Elf and Christmas Vacation to watch 🎄🎅
December 24, 2020 at 10:06 pm
I love my tree too 🙂 Thank you. Growing up, we used to cut down a pine tree from the road reserve alongside forestry pine plantations. Haha, Elf was just on TV here tonight. It’s a funny movie.
December 24, 2020 at 9:35 am
I don’t really have any great traditions. Each Christmas seems to be its own thing lately. I’m planning on making a turkey meatloaf this year and knitting all day. We’re all in isolation. (My father just got a negative COVID test, but he’s not taking any chances.)
December 24, 2020 at 10:09 pm
Turkey meatloaf sounds yummy. We just found out our elderly neighbour across the road is on his own because all his kids are in a lockdown zone. We don’t want him to be on his own so are going to pop over sometime tomorrow (luckily I still have a jar of my homemade plum jam for a gift – we have an amazing plum tree – so I’ll stick a label on it and a big ribbon).
December 24, 2020 at 3:09 pm
I was reading this, and seeing you were thinking of a picnic caught me by surprise until I realized it’s summer where you are. Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
December 24, 2020 at 10:11 pm
Yep, no white Christmas here (although there is snow forecast for our southern most state! It’s happened before when we are in a La Nina weather pattern, but it is so weird in summer to have snow). I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, John, and that your family are able to visit.
December 25, 2020 at 12:37 am
Yes definitely not as appealing as when I was younger! And I don’t even have the exhaustion of having little children LOL
Its honestly ok to have the break. My brother was sick yesterday so got tested this morning, and I’ve been dealing with a sore throat/cough combo that comes and goes randomly for the last few days. At least if there are extra people in the house then my coughing will be a deterrent? Make them leave maybe? Lol
December 26, 2020 at 9:45 am
Cough really loudly and drive those “extras” out 😉