Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 15, 2024 6:38:39 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 0:39:16 GMT
What do you do on Christmas Eve? What traditions, food, events do you look forward to?
I work in a hospital and have off every 3rd year for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is my year off and I am so looking forward to it. We don't have set traditions (we were an active duty military family for most of our marriage and when the kids were little, so we had little control over where we were spending the holidays sometimes). We tried a tradition of making Swiss potato soup a couple of years running, but the 3rd year we ended up having a quarrel while trying to cook together and never made it again (haha)! I'm looking at menu options right now, so maybe I'll go back to that because it sure was good. We're definitely not traveling this year.
Correction: DH said we didn't stop making the soup because of our spat, but because we moved and he went to sea duty. Guess I didn't feel like eating soup while he was gone. 😃
|
|
moodyblue
Drama Llama
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Posts: 6,188
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
|
Post by moodyblue on Nov 12, 2017 0:55:52 GMT
Christmas Eve is when my husband's family gets together. When we met, his sister hosted all the family events. After she died her husband hosted again, my mother-in-law did it the next year I think, his sister's daughter hosted and then our brother-in-law hosted with his new wife. We have been hosting for several years now, since before my mother-in-law died.
His family tradition is to have oyster stew. Some of us don't/can't eat that so there is usually a ham too. My husband's niece makes the oyster stew with oysters her husband gets flown in, which is good because I've never made it and don't want that responsibility. I'll do the ham though and most of the rest of the stuff we have that evening.
|
|
|
Post by ntsf on Nov 12, 2017 0:56:52 GMT
only tradition is going to christmas eve service..as a kid, we usually got the tree on christmas eve, let it drip dry all day in the carport--(it was seattle, usually raining).. then after church or before church, we decorated the tree. mostly with ornaments inherited from my german grandmother. then off to bed.
but it has been a long time since we do anything other than me going off to church by myself.
|
|
used2scrap
Drama Llama
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Posts: 6,036
Jan 29, 2016 3:02:55 GMT
|
Post by used2scrap on Nov 12, 2017 1:20:52 GMT
We have heavy hors d'oeuvres and decorate the living room Christmas tree, then read the Night Before Christmas and the kids each open a present. But most people put up their tree before then, so not really a tradition many others are willing to incorporate.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 15, 2024 6:38:39 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 1:25:25 GMT
What do you want to do?
We go buy chicken nuggets and french fries then drive around looking at lights.
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Nov 12, 2017 1:46:10 GMT
we do Mass (usually Midnight - although often it ends up just being me) and pizza for dinner and are usually finishing up wrapping presents...sometimes a family movie (although that's more likely to happen on NYEve)
|
|
kate
Drama Llama
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Posts: 5,536
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Nov 12, 2017 1:48:23 GMT
We attend a family Christmas mass together at 4:30pm on the 24th (my kids are too big to need a "family" service, but since I do the music for it, they still come). Afterward, they often drive up to see my MIL and take her to dinner while I'm running between churches doing music. If they don't go to MIL's, then we all have dinner after the 4:30, and they go home. When they get home, they read "The Night Before Christmas" and Luke 2 (the Christmas story in the Bible) - even though the kids are big, they insist on that. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg) I'm excited this year because my "midnight" mass has been moved to 8:30 pm. I'll be home by 11:00 instead of 2:00am!
|
|
|
Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Nov 12, 2017 1:53:38 GMT
We used to have a little party on Christmas Eve, but most people stopped coming after awhile, so we stopped hosting it. Now we drive around, look at luminaries and Christmas lights. The boys open their presents to each other and they always get Christmas jammies. We make a bunch of little finger foods, popcorn and put on Christmas movies and play board games. It's just a really fun, low key night that we all look forward to every year.
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Nov 12, 2017 2:05:37 GMT
Growing up we got together with my extended family. We ended that tradition a couple of years ago and now it is my family, my brother's family, and my parents. We do snacky food (think lots of different appetizers) because that is what my mother wants to do. I don't like it, but she'd pout if we'd try to change it, so I roll with it.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 15, 2024 6:38:39 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 2:16:40 GMT
Christmas eve.... we deluever meals for a local church. Then we eat an late lunch early dinner,Italian dinner:Seafood & Pasta. We make Fritas, watch Elf , open Secert Santa gifts and play games. The kids are coming over on Christmas Eve at 3.
|
|
|
Post by brynn on Nov 12, 2017 2:24:54 GMT
I eat lutefisk, as is the tradition coming down from Norwegian grandparents. I, however, microwave it instead of boiling it and straining it with cheesecloth, the traditional way.
|
|
compeateropeator
Drama Llama
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Posts: 5,056
Member is Online
Jun 26, 2014 23:10:56 GMT
|
Post by compeateropeator on Nov 12, 2017 2:35:44 GMT
In the evening we go to my grandmother's to celebrate Christmas for my Mom's side of the family. For the past few years we have also been celebrating Christmas with my parents and my brother and his family during the day. Christmas Eve is also my birthday. I also work at a hospital and work Christmas day because I usually take Christmas Eve off. I have to work one or the other and having Christmas Eve off works out better than having Christmas day off. Enjoy having both days off... no matter what you end up doing. I am waiting for the year that the stars align and I can get both days off.
|
|
|
Post by janniepea on Nov 12, 2017 2:41:20 GMT
We got to church then come home for cheese fondue for dinner. We open one gift which is always Christmas pajamas and watch a Christmas movie.
|
|
imsirius
Prolific Pea
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Call it as I see it.
Posts: 7,661
Location: Floating in the black veil.
Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
|
Post by imsirius on Nov 12, 2017 3:05:53 GMT
We have apps and desserts and eat in the living room while watching Christmas movies. We all hang our stockings and the elf goes home and leaves the kids a small treat. Kids get into their Christmas Eve Jammies and then we play games until bedtime.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 15, 2024 6:38:39 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 3:15:31 GMT
What do you want to do? We go buy chicken nuggets and french fries then drive around looking at lights. I dunno, but I think my guys would totally be on board with that.
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Nov 12, 2017 3:18:15 GMT
When everyone was younger, Christmas Eve was spent with my mom's side of the family. Everyone would gather at my aunt's house around 6. My aunt cooked the ham, and everyone else brought side dishes. The night included everyone - immediate family, extended family, any friends and neighbors. There was usually an appearance by Santa (I think it was a neighbor). It would be a late night. After dinner, the kids would play and most of the adults would play cards until 1 or 2 in the morning! LOL! Sigh! I miss those days.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 15, 2024 6:38:39 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2017 3:31:15 GMT
We got to church then come home for cheese fondue for dinner. We open one gift which is always Christmas pajamas and watch a Christmas movie. We have fondue for Christmas Day dinner. It's a family favorite!
|
|
scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
Jun 26, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
|
Post by scrappington on Nov 12, 2017 3:40:38 GMT
Chinese Food. For as long as I can remember my family would order Chinese food and just be a low key night. Prep for breakfast next day and dinner.
My DH and I order in. Watch it's a wonderful life. Low key.
Now we go to his mothers house and have the Chinese food. Not the same. But it's the proper thing to do.
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Nov 12, 2017 3:43:08 GMT
We go out to a local Italian place for dinner and attend midnight (10 PM) services at DH's church.
|
|
|
Post by grammadee on Nov 12, 2017 4:02:09 GMT
For my dh's Ukrainian family, Christmas Eve is all about the food. We have 12 meatless dishes from latkes to pyrogies to cabbage rolls to cheese rolls to... We used to go to his mother's for this meal, but now we go to his sister's. After supper, we exchange gifts with his side of the family. Adjusting to this was a bit difficult for me, b/c I grew up where Christmas Eve was about decorating our tree, singing together and playing board games. I think we ate pancakes or sandwiches.
When our kids were here, the tradition was that after we came home from the dinner, they could each give the gifts they bought out to their siblings. They always seemed to choose gifts that were perfect for each other, and I remember lots of laughs while they opened them. When they were little we hung stockings and left cookies out for Santa.
The last couple of years, our dd has been here with her little guy, and she has him decorate his stocking and make tree ornaments for gifts to family during the day on Christmas Eve.
|
|
azredhead
Drama Llama
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
|
Post by azredhead on Nov 12, 2017 4:08:52 GMT
It's hard to find you own thing. Especially if you don't have kids or the other way around. We do dh's Swedish Christmas Eve. That's their Christmas. They do the 7course dinner, with St. Lucia and everything. Some years they do a lot and some years it's smaller versions. It's an old tradion and not a lot of the Swedes do the whole meal. St. Lucia is often done amoung the Swedish communities. We've also been some when Dh's grandparents and parents were alive. Othertimes they would host it. This year with his parents passed, we're doing at his cousins. His aunt and Uncle have sort of adopted Dh and it's their 50th wedding aniv. just before so they are doing a full blown Swedish Christmas. I'm looking forward to it. One of his cousins shares custody with his kids and we don't see them all the time. He has them this year. Christmas Day is just us or my family. When It's just us, I always do stockings. That's my favorite about Christmas. I love the little stuff and finding fun stuff for Dh.
|
|
QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
|
Post by QueenoftheSloths on Nov 12, 2017 4:31:22 GMT
Not set in stone, but a little low key last minute shopping, lunch out, afternoon/evening with my parents/ any siblings visiting them that day, and then I have a standing date with the pope for midnight mass. Not a Catholic, just a tradition. I have been doing mass with the pope for almost 20 years!
|
|
|
Post by Really Red on Nov 12, 2017 4:33:26 GMT
How old are your kiddos now? Are they still believers? My girls were born on Christmas Day, so Christmas Eve (my favorite day of the year) and Christmas are pretty special. In the past, we went to church but now spend the evening with a fondue (meat fondue in wine) and sit around and play a game. We prepare the gifts and sometimes go and look at lights. I have my ex and my brother with me, so I'm always a wee bit stressed, but this year, we are going away and I am beside myself with joy. Just my kids and me.
Hope you have a wonderful time!
|
|
|
Post by crittsmom on Nov 12, 2017 6:32:13 GMT
I usually end up working either Christmas Eve or Day, if I'm off Christmas Eve, we will go to church service 5 or 7 then downtown to see the lights. Then over to sister in law for dinner on Christmas day. Pretty low key
|
|
|
Post by miominmio on Nov 12, 2017 8:11:31 GMT
I eat lutefisk, as is the tradition coming down from Norwegian grandparents. I, however, microwave it instead of boiling it and straining it with cheesecloth, the traditional way. And I'm so very, very grateful that I'm not from a part of the country that has lutefisk as a tradition. ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) The only thing I would be willing to eat, would be the bacon and the potatoes.
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Nov 12, 2017 13:31:02 GMT
We used to go to church with the in-laws and everyone would gather at their home. DH's dad is gone now, his mom is in AZ, and the rest of the family is scattered across the country.
We still go to the same church and have anyone who is left in town from DH's family over for dinner. It's pretty low key.
THIS year, I think our DS and his kids will be here, so it will be much more active!
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,599
Jun 27, 2014 14:04:01 GMT
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Nov 12, 2017 14:12:03 GMT
Most years in the past, we've gone to my mil's around 11am. We'd have a lunch of chili and just visit. We'd open presents later and then come home. I've been making potato soup for dinner. Something not heavy since we will be eating a ton for days. Last year it got change because one of my sils her husband's family changed things. So we went on the 23rd. That left Christmas Eve open. It was really strange. Even the kids didn't like it. We did get to go to church finally. This year not sure.
|
|
SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,634
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:12 GMT
|
Post by SweetieBsMom on Nov 12, 2017 14:14:38 GMT
For years and years we did Christmas Eve at my MIL. Then my FIL got sick and it's been 6-7 years since my MIL has done Christmas Eve. My FIL passed in October and we're wondering if my MIL will do it this year. She's doing Thanksgiving, but we already accepted an invitation to my aunt's.
|
|
|
Post by newfcathy on Nov 12, 2017 14:42:22 GMT
Cmas eve is always a low key event. We have been hosting since we bought our house 24 years ago (dh is the best cook in his family). It was often just my folks, my mil, dh’s sister & her dh and our ds. My folks & mil have passed but we all enjoy the slow pace. We watch a bit of tv, visit, sometimes we drive around looking at the lights, then we stuff the stockings which became a serious event after I️ joined the family.
My in-laws has stopped doing stockings after their kids grew up. My mom & I️ were appalled 😮!! My mom knit new stockings for those who couldn’t find theirs (sil & bil had still done theirs in secret for just the two of them). My mom even knitted 1987 on dh’s stocking, because that is when we got married.
I️ will make a wonderful fish chowder a day or so earlier. We also buy some lobster bisque. Dh will enrich the bisque with more lobster, cream, etc.
I️ will dig out the bread maker usually as well, and the whole house will smell fantastic.
|
|
|
Post by KelleeM on Nov 12, 2017 14:46:29 GMT
When I was growing up we went to church at 11 pm then back home for a huge breakfast that included a lot of friends (there are 7 kids in my family and often there were 8-10 friends there). My Dad did the cooking.
Since I’ve been with dh we go to his brother’s house and dh’s three adult sons and their families are there. It’s the only time we see them for the holiday and BIL hosts this especially for dh. Dh moved away almost 30 years ago and when he moved back to the area, just before I met him, his brother started this tradition. I’m not crazy about the food they serve but I make something yummy to bring. And there’s always cheesecake for dessert and I love cheesecake!
|
|