Christmas Eve Traditions

We began a new tradition this Christmas Eve.  I was so excited to do it, and it turned out to be as good as my expectations.  That is saying something.  Also, drum roll please, this may be one of the few absolutely unique ideas I have ever had. 

For several weeks before Christmas, I began collecting books that I felt my children would enjoy.  A number of them came from Jennifer's comment on my post earlier this month.  Thank you, Jennifer!  By Christmas Eve, I had accumulated 15-20 books.  Since there were eleven people old enough to read chapter books at our home this year, I felt that was a good number.  I stacked them attractively in a large basket and placed a blanket over them so that they were hidden in the living room.  In the basket I also prepared a special letter for each child.  I ordered four more Christmas story books for my three youngest children and little grand-daughter.  These I wrapped with a pair of pajamas and my Christmas letter for each of these younger children.  

For Christmas Eve dinner I roasted turkey and had all the trimmings.  It was certainly not like Thanksgiving, but we had potatoes and gravy, stuffing, veggies, and a salad.  This helped set a more formal mood for the evening and also took care of food for Christmas Day so that I didn't have to cook.  We munched on cold and hot turkey sandwiches whenever we got hungry. 

After dinner, we gathered in the living room and Doug read the true Christmas story from Luke 2 and we all sang Christmas appropriate Christmas carols interspered throughout.  We talked about the true meaning of Christmas.

Then, the new tradition.  Let me give some background.  At our house, Santa Claus usually brings our children a book and sometimes a movie or other small stocking gifts.  I have noticed in the past couple of years that my older children can read their book too quickly, often completing it Christmas afternoon.  I thought it would be nice if the quiet reading time mingled with game playing and snow play could continue throughout the holiday week.  So, this year I had prepared a basket of the chosen books that I referred to and brought them out on Christmas Eve. 

I passed out the packages I had for Benjamin, Bethany, Brecklyn, and Bridgette.  They opened their books and pajamas and then ran to get dressed for bed.  I pulled the blanket off the basket of books and almost immediately the older children moved forward around the basket.  It was so cool!  Their eyes were big and they wanted to see what was inside.  I held their Christmas letters like a hand of cards, and Dad picked out one letter at a time.  The person who's letter was chosen was given the letter and a chance to look through the books and choose the one they wanted to read first.  We continued in this manner until everyone had chosen a book.  Of course, there were several books left in the basket. 

Each person was told that they could keep the book they had chosen, since several children returned home to their own houses on Christmas evening.  But, all of them were invited to continue to trade with the other books in the basket as often as they wished throughout the week.  It has worked fabulously.  My daughter-in-law was frantically reading to finish a book before they left last night.  Noelle didn't really enjoy her first choice, so read it all, changed, and read another book yesterday. 

I love that this tradition went over so well.  After you get past small childhood, Christmas gifts are not usually things that occupy your day like toys do.  We played a couple of new games we got, and some of the family watched a movie or two, and we spent much time visiting with each other, but reading our books helped fill in the cracks and gave us all something new and fun to enjoy throughout the day.  This is a tradition that I will definitely be continuing. 

Before they left, my son said that his wife had suggested they continue this tradition in their own home when their family was larger and older.  Then, she said, actually, maybe next year!  Sounds like a winner to me!

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