How do you celebrate Christmas ?

Traditionally in Europe the most important time was/is Christmas Eve.As a family we kept that up here in Australia,i remember it as a very special time .Things changed when my parents passed on and over the years gradually family members moved interstate ,but Christmas eve was still observed by those of us (the ones who moved took the tradition with them) who still lived here.Now we all do our own thing , and follow the Aussie way of Christmas Day . But.... Christmas Eve is embeded in my very psyche ,in every aspect of my being,although no longer a big fresh tree, all family and many friends ,gifts spilling half way into the room , midnight mass (at least at first) mums home made advocat...no dancing and tipsyness though ,that was for New Years Eve ....all that is gone...BUT Christmas Eve still exists ,and some of my lovely friends come for shared food and champagne , Silent Night and Bony M, this year a couple of new cd's are added (you know who you are !!)..ah yes.... different .. but good just the same . [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]




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Roxanna, I had a really long post, but am now going to leave a shortened version.
As a child... not much to remember about Christmas. I am told Christmas was kind of forgotten and overlooked when my brother and I were the only littler ones left.

Now, tradition has been to open gifts starting approximately seven days before Christmas. Each person who has gifts to give, picks a night to hand them out. At least... it WAS that way... til this year. lol
This year, most everything has changed because it's our first Christmas with Tithe.
So... this year... not much regular or traditional ways of things, but still a happy time.
We started a few new traditions this year. Tithe helped decorate the tree and made ornaments with us.

I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Hey! I do remember... Pink Squirrels and Grasshoppers were two favorites my mom always made at Christmas time. Both are drinks made with icecream.


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how lovely that Tithe is with you for the first time at christmas, is'nt it great to create your own old traditions ? i've not heard about giving gifts on different days, for us it was christmas eve, aussie way is christmas day,which is what we do now.intresting to hear what others do at christmas, it all comes back to the same thing though .. Love, gifts ,good cheer, family and friends gatherings,and the religious aspect for many.

Ummm... did I forget to mention Santa still comes on Christmas eve and kids open gifts Christmas day?

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oh i see, the gifts before christmas are for and from each other ,and at christmas the usual gifting tradition . i like that idea, sort of a build up,and little surprise gifts before THE day
ps, i would have loved to read your long story ,but i supose it's gone now ...