What do you do on Christmas eve? [Archive] - Merry Forums of My Merry Christmas

ryansrs1

10-08-2009, 12:42 AM

Wounder what everyones got planned for this Christmas eve-do you do anything special, have a party, busy with last minutue shopping??

I aim to have everything done by then and my plan is to just simply enjoy with the family. Gona go for a meal (this is slowly becoming a modern tradition) and whatch some christmas films with my son in the evening. Nothing too speacial realy-just enjoycheesy

kelly ann

10-08-2009, 03:37 AM

Most of the time we dont go out Christmas eve. We normally have a little party for the kids and watch Christmas films.

Christmasstar

10-08-2009, 05:33 AM

We open our gifts on Christmas eve. It takes us most of the day as we are allowed only to open 1 an hour. In Between we eat, play games, eat, watch movies, eat, go out and look at lights, eat, visit, and of course we eat. It is a very fun day full of activities.
:merry:

MsChristmas

10-08-2009, 07:47 AM

I have to work until noon :-? but that is better then some poor people who have to work all day! Then I will be going home to my 2 wonderful sons cheesy. I will make something small to eat to take over my in laws. They have a big buffett and everyone brings a little something. We exchange our secret Santa gifts (we pick names on Thanksgiving) and eat eat eat! I try to leave to head home around 8 pm so that we can enjoy a few hours at our house on Christmas Eve as well. Gosh Im so excited... I cant believe how quick the time is going..but I can hardly wait!

:tree:

George Broderick, Jr.

10-08-2009, 08:00 AM

We generally visit my wife's family in the afternoon (we do my family on Christmas Day morning)... then, it's church at 8 PM... followed by watching Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol... then bed...

UnchosenFragmnts

10-08-2009, 08:09 AM

On Christmas Eve is when we have our Christmas party and my wifes family comes throughout the day to open gifts and fellowship. Our day usually goes like this. Get up after 4 hours of sleep, (we were up so late finishing up cooking things that can't be cooked too early) we cook more stuff, someone comes to open gifts, we cook more stuff and clean up that mess, someone else comes, we cook more stuff and clean up that mess. And so on and so on. And then around 9:00 when everyone has finally finished up, we start cooking Christmas day lunch and try to figure out how we can get some sleep, cook a ham, and a turkey and still get up at a normal time so we can actually open some presents. Man I love Christmas.

hilarios

10-08-2009, 08:25 AM

We drive down to my moms house. We have lots of apps and eat all day. We open gifts most of the time. Then around 8pm, my husband and I drive to Michigan (from Wisconsin) so Christmas morning and the next few days we visit with his family.

digbugsgirl

10-08-2009, 08:51 AM

Christmas Eve is when we celebrate Christmas with my step-son and my BIL and his wife. I usually take off if we don't already have the day off, but this year I may work half a day. Haven't decided yet.

whitney37354

10-08-2009, 08:55 AM

We gather with both sides of our family on Christmas Day, so Christmas Eve has become our own little family day. Most of the time we stay home and I'm cleaning house, preparing for the gifts that we'll be bringing home. I can't stand a mess!

Last year we stayed at home until after DD's nap, then we went to the mall, just to "people watch" and we ate at the food court. I loved it! Then we went to the homes of two close friends for a short visit and they gave DD gifts. Later, we came home and made cookies for Santa for the first time. Ugly cookies but it was fun! We watched Santa Clause while baking cookies. I stayed up late to play Santa and watch The Christmas Story. I'd never seen the movie all the way through before!

On Christmas morning before there were small kids in our family and a rush to get to a grandparents house for breakfast on Christmas morning, DH would make pancakes, eggs, & bacon. I make chili for "occasions": college football games, Halloween, etc. I think it would be neat to do these things for our Christmas Eves so that we can start our own family traditions.

Maybe DH make breakfast, I could put chili on "low" in crockpot, then go to mall after nap, visit with friends, then home for chili, baking cookies, and watching Christmas movies. Oh, this sounds so good---wonder if I can get DH on board?

Minta

10-08-2009, 09:39 AM

We usually stay home excpet for maybe a few errands that are done early in the day. We have magical elves that visit all month long and go home the night of the 23rd so when the kids wake up Christmas Eve morning they will find a present under the tree in their bedroom (new PJS). After lunch the kids exchange their gift with each other. It will be a new toy that will help keep them busy during the day and ease some of the Christmas Eve excitment. I will put out a tray of home made cookies, cakes & breads to munch on through out the day. Christmas movies are on the TV all day and christmas music will be on dall day in the kitchen. While the kids are playing with their new toys I'll be in the kitchen prepping for the Christmas Day breakfest and dinner. Right after dinner Santa comes through our neighborhood on a fire truck handing our candy canes to the kids. Afterwards the kids get their showers and put on their new PJS. The kids will get to open a present or two from their grandmom (my mom lives with us) and then we will all relax with hot chocolate and watch the polar express. Then the kids get tucked into bed and hubby and I will watch more Christams movies until it's time for Santa to visit. Also through out the day the kids will be check Santa's location on norad!

novelist

10-08-2009, 01:33 PM

:tree:Christmas Eve, my husband and I go to 5:30 mass, then after we come home, we spend time with my husband's sons. I put out an assortment of appetizers, and we just sit back, relax, and enjoy the night.

mgramsey

10-08-2009, 02:38 PM

We visit with my wife's family and read Luke 2 then talk about what Jesus has done for us. We try to imagine what it must have been like on the first Christmas and discuss it with the kids. Then we open gifts from her side of the family while watching 'Its a Wonderful Life."

LightningFlashJack

10-08-2009, 04:01 PM

I used to sit at home with the girlfriend and enjoy a deli platter and watch Christmas shows and movies. Last Christmas was my first one alone (and single) so I loaded up on junk food and continued the tradition. And you know...it was just as great! I treated myself to a new laptop (since I didn't have a 'spouse' to shop for) and had a great day!

Soooooo, to anyone newly single or alone, Christmas can still be a great time! I look forward to continuing my solo tradition this year! I'm thinking...a new iPhone or a video game console. Because I've been really really really good this year.

Mostly.

Kind of.

Well, I intended to be...

*sigh*

I'm still getting an iPhone, dang it!!! :-?

UnchosenFragmnts

10-08-2009, 05:04 PM

Lightning FlashJack, Christmas is the time for giving. Even if you are giving to yourself. LOL the leftover money has to go somewhere...

ReineV

10-08-2009, 05:47 PM

We used to either go over my aunts or my dad's house and have "Feliz Navidad"...meaning we always have Mexican foods for Christmas eve dinner to give us a break from more traditional holiday foods. We usually bake cookies and watch movies.

Snowfall

10-09-2009, 07:10 AM

During the day, I'd sleep in and sit around watching Christmas movies. By mid-afternoon, I usually start practicing and warming up to sing at church. In the evening, we get ready for church, which is at 7:00. After church, my gram used to drive me and my siblings around to look at lights. They're "old" teenagers now and think it's lame to do that, so I drove around and did it by myself last year. I had a blast!

After church, we head to my parents' house where my mom makes chinese food. We like the non-traditional food that night, too, ReineV! Yum! And we all exchange one gift with each other. My mom's immediate family (her mom, dad, and brothers) come over for that too.

Silverbells

10-09-2009, 11:53 AM

Well try to get home from work early lets say around 1 or 2. Than I help my mom get prepare Christmas eve dinner and get alot of the baking out of the way for Christmas day. We sit down and eat togather than I go up stiar take a shower put on my most comfie PJs make myself some tea always perppermint tea (its a seasonal favorite) and sit down so I can wrap presents. Thats an Ideal Christmas Eve to me.:tree:

ryansrs1

10-09-2009, 01:54 PM

Minta

10-10-2009, 06:50 AM

I find it interesting that quite a few give gifts on christmas eve-dont know anyone who does that-until nowcheesy. Is that a traditon or because you wont see some people on christmas day so open them on christmas eve??

We let the kids open their gifts from each other on Christmas day to give them something to do to help the time go by. That evening they will get to open 1 or 2 gifts from their grandmother to help ease the excitement a bit plus they will have sooo much to open on Christmas day.

ballcoach

10-10-2009, 08:09 AM

I find it interesting that quite a few give gifts on christmas eve-dont know anyone who does that-until nowcheesy. Is that a traditon or because you wont see some people on christmas day so open them on christmas eve??

When I was little, we opened them up on Christmas Eve b/c Santa was in the morning.....all the adults would open theirs so it was all about my brother and me (AND SANTA) in the morning!

made582

10-10-2009, 08:50 AM

I find it interesting that quite a few give gifts on christmas eve-dont know anyone who does that-until nowcheesy. Is that a traditon or because you wont see some people on christmas day so open them on christmas eve??

We open our stocking gifts from each other on christmas eve. We put the gifts in each others stocking as we buy and wrap them. If we didn't open the gifts on christmas eve then there would be no room in the stocking for santa to put gifts. My cousins open their gifts from each other on christmas eve because they are not morning people and by the time they get up they are busy cooking.

Snowfall

10-10-2009, 08:53 AM

We started doing Christmas Eve gifts because I'd get new pj's from my mom to wear that night. Then, when I got a little older and started buying gifts for people, I thought it wasn't fair that my grandparents and parents didn't get gifts. And so we started to do one gift to each other that night.

Yuletide Junkie

10-10-2009, 10:30 AM

We will go to the late afternoon Christmas Eve service, have the annual seasonal feast at our favorite dining establishment, drive around looking at folks' Christmas displays, & then home for a Christmas movie.

STELLTH4

10-10-2009, 10:46 AM

Christmas Eve is when we celebrate Christmas with my family and my friends!!!!

ShihtzuBeauty

10-27-2009, 03:48 PM

Oh how I Love Christmas Eve. My boys are now 20 and 23 and I have a 2yr. old grandson I now get to carry on traditions with.

We watch all of our favorite Christmas classics: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty (1), Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, How The Grinch Stole Christmas (original), While the movies are going I've already baked a few dozen sugar cookies and we sit in front of the tv and ice them.

Earlier in the day we'll have the Christmas music going, I like the oldies. We finish what may still be needing done on the tree and have cocoa. I also get together what I can for the Christmas dinner.

After our kids are in bed yes even my 23yr. old he comes and stays the night for me:hello: hubby and I will watch It's A Wonderful Life and wrap the remainder of the gifts.

MerryNoel

10-27-2009, 08:44 PM

hoping to start the new tradition this year... we usually visit other people.. but now that Will is 2... the place to be is HOME... Christmas music.... goodies.... a walk in the snow ( I hope) with the dog to look at the lights...... and a read Twas The Night Before Christmas... then jammies and bed to wait for SANTA! oh and of course post here at some point :treeguy:

Terri

10-27-2009, 08:45 PM

We usually prepare meat trays, dips and chips for the evening. Everyone comes over about 5pm. We all eat and then settle in for the entertainment. My sister and i usually "perform" for the group. (two years ago we sang "sisters" from White Christmas "On the Good Ship Lollipop") Then we have everyone pick a number from a hat. We have the numbers 1-12 in there. Then we all sing the 12 Days of Christmas. (everyone sings the verse that corresponds with the number they drew)
We then start opening gifts. It's wild and hectic and sadly over in about 30 minutes. It's a lot of fun.
This year will probably be a little tough as my baby brother was killed in May. We are going to work real hard to help my mom get through the holidays though. :)

Terri

TamaraQT

10-28-2009, 05:00 AM

My DH and I are both lucky to have the Christmas Eve off every year. I do a Christmas Eve open house for family and friends. So Christmas Eve morning is spent preparing for Open house which usually starts around 6pm. Do a quick last vacuum, spruce up the decorations, just make sure the house is in order. I prepare a few appetizers for the evening. I cook a huge Pork Roast(family favorite), and a few other things. Around noon, we will grab some lunch at a local restaurant. The kids are so excited and beaming with anticipation. Then we pick up our foodtray orders, deli, wings, fried chicken, dessert tray. Yes, I buy most of the buffet items to have more time to spend with the family. Then go home, shower and dress. Light candles all over the house and wait for the guests to arrive. We open a few presents of people we wont see on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve usually lasts until around midnite when the last guest leaves. By then my kids are in bed. I stay up with my husband while he does the Santa stuff and I wrap a few last minute gifts. I prep my Christmas Dinner, by getting the turkey ready for the oven. Cook my sweet potatoes in my crock pot. And prep a couple of other things. Before I go to bed, I put the turkey in and put the timer on. I set my alarm clock to be sure I am up by the time the turkey gets done. Thats my Christmas Eve, and I just love it !!!
:cry:

judesmama

10-28-2009, 05:03 AM

We used to have the IL's over for pizza and gifts but now we just make our rounds... last year, my husband had to work :( but this year, he is off from the 19th to the 28th! I guess it just depends on if we have moved or not.. this year is up in the air!

Janey

10-28-2009, 02:08 PM

For the last maybe up to five years my grandparents have invited all us grandkids (6) around on Christmas eve, for general festive fun, buffet food and games etc. It's usually really fun but the past few years my sister hasn't been there (she's now 21 and has her own little family forming).

Not so sure it will happen this year though with us all growing up :(

lauriebear777

10-28-2009, 02:52 PM

Terri

10-28-2009, 07:04 PM

When I was little, we opened them up on Christmas Eve b/c Santa was in the morning.....all the adults would open theirs so it was all about my brother and me (AND SANTA) in the morning!

That's what we did when I was little also! My mom would let us open ONE gift on Christmas Eve. My grandmother ALWAYS gave the boys socks and the little girls those little underpants with the days of the week on them. We would BEG every year NOT to open that one on Christmas Eve because we KNEW what it was!! LOL :cry:

ballcoach

10-28-2009, 07:22 PM

I can't wait til I have kids....I bet that magnifies the excitement!

DayTek

10-29-2009, 10:10 AM

A typical Christmas Eve for us:

-If hubby and I have to work, we work no later than 3:00PM. Then we go to our house to change/shower or whatever and go over to my in-laws.
-If we don't have to work, we just putter around until noon and go to my parents place until 3 or so then head over to the in-laws.
-At the in-laws, we hang out and watch anything Christmas on TV.
-When it's dark around 5 or 5:30, hubby and I get in our car and hubby's parents, sister and niece get in their car and we drive around and look at lights until about 6.
-We have a pot-luck dinner and hubby and I always order Chinese food while we're looking at lights and then pick it up before going back to the in-laws.
-It is strict tradition that we watch a movie-cartoon called 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' while we are eating dinner. Here's info on the movie: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800140369/info (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800140369/info)
-We open 1 gift before we leave (it's always PJ's...LOL) and then head over to my parents to visit them and my brother. There we just hang out and play a game or cards.
-We leave my parents before 11:00 and go home. We take the gifts to eachother out of hiding (they have to be hidden until Christmas Eve or else we'd likely know what they are!) and put them under the tree.
-We watch TV and read Luke 2 outloud and then nestle down and try to sleep before midnight hits (or Santa won't come! cheesy )

winterberry

10-29-2009, 10:58 AM

Christmas eve is when the magic begins. In the morning DH does the Turkey pickup from the butcher, and the boxed veg & fruit from the farm shop, so i can get the home ready for the family visiting early evening. I start my baking of mince pies for them all, and they get eaten whilst they are still warm, with fresh cream by my visiting sisters+ and brothers+. We have this time to exchange our gifts and place under the tree ready for the big day. Later when the family have gone we settle down for the evening all in new pj's by the fire and candles and magical twinkling tree:tree: and DH tells us a christmas story. DS sets out a mince pie, whisky and carrot, and not forgetting the stockings on the hearth. Then its off to bed for the little one.

karanmi

11-01-2009, 06:35 PM

We have our Christmas with our famil;y on Christmas Eve. All the kids are married with kids and grandkids of their own so we like to celebrate on Christmas Eve. That way the girls can go to their spouces parents home on Christmas
day. It has worked great for all. Hubby and I spend a quiet Christmas Day. We exchange our gifts to each other have nice steaks for dinner and just enjoy the quiet of the season . Kids and grandkids may stop by for deseert but not manditory ...

Maebeary

11-01-2009, 06:47 PM

What I'm going to do and what I'd like to do will be two different things. I'd like to stay at home and watch Christmas shows all night long with my husband and kids. That's my ideal. Rick's mom passed away in April so it will be just a bit different. We'll likely go to his sister's house.