Will you be doing them for your kids?
2007-12-20 20:54:56 · 18 answers · asked by brunelscooby 4 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Midnight mass, this year it'll be earlier in the evening. Bathtime early and watch a christmas film...
2007-12-21 00:08:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every year on Christmas eve we would have a big family gathering at my grandparents house. They would lay on a Mediterranean feast of cold meats (Spanish ham, salami, churrizzo etc), fresh prawns, salad, bread rolls and wine - as kids we were allowed a small bit of wine topped up liberally with lemonade. After everyone had eaten we would exchange gifts. Back at home my sister and I were allowed to each open one of the presents under the tree.
Now, with kids of my own, we are still going to my grandparents house on Christmas eve. The gatherings are smaller now but it is still much the same. Back at home my kids will leave a glass of sherry and a mince pie out for Father Christmas, and a carrot for Rudolph. Once they are in bed and fast asleep their dad and I will bring the presents down and place them under the tree ready for morning!
Merry Christmas all!
2007-12-21 06:42:25 · answer #2 · answered by Chipmunk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The main traditions that i remember are these two. First my dad would go out to the pub after tea time and not return until the early hours the worse for wear. Then around eleven pm mum would go into the night to attend midnight mass, leaving three young children alone.
No I don't repeat them with my kids.
2007-12-21 07:11:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was a kid, we would go and get a ham, teacakes and the turkey in the morning, and then my mum would cook the ham so we could have ham sandwiches later. We'd go to a farm, then come back and have stew and dumplings for dinner. When the ham was cooked, we'd settle down and watch 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' with ham sandwiches and chocolates from the big tin that we always bought. Before we went to bed, we'd leave out a Christmas Card for Father Christmas, next to a mince pie and glass of whisky, and we'd give the reindeer some carrots. I'll probably do the same thing with my kids, when I have them.
2007-12-21 06:06:33 · answer #4 · answered by flamebolt666 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Didn't really do much on Christmas Eve as a child as my mum worked.
When our children were young, I always bought them new nightclothes for Christmas Eve, they had a lovely bubble bath, we settled down to a story and then they left goodies out for Father Christmas (Milk and carrots for reindeer and mince pie and whisky for the man himself!). My daughter was always sure she could hear the bells on his sleigh!
I really miss all that now they are all grown up, can't wait for grandchildren.
2007-12-21 06:41:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a child Christmas Eve was fraught with uncertainties. As soon as I could walk, I was taken to Midnight Mass. After Mass my father, the Vicar, would be wishing his parishioners 'Happy Christmas' and, if it was a clear night, I'd be looking up in the sky for Father Christmas' sleigh. I though that if there wasn't a child in the house he wouldn't leave any presents. I knew I shouldn't interrupt my father, so I used to tug at his sleeve, trying to attract his attention.
When I moved to Switzerland I used to organise a Christmas Eve gathering early for other ex-pats in the early evening. I made a light buffet, smoked salmon, chicken liver paté etc. Appreciated by the women, who had a chance to wind down before they had to come to grips with the turkey.
We had USA friends who had an open-house on Christmas Day. All were welcome, including any visitors who happened to be around. (If you live in Switzerland you tend to get quite a lot of visitors at Christmas time).
This Christmas won't be traditional. My daughter's in Spain and my step-son isn't Christian. Still, I'll make some shortbread (which he loves) and go round to his family and simply enjoy time with his wife and my step-grandchild.
2007-12-21 05:57:49 · answer #6 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
LOL- well we kids went to church with our grandparents and then my parents would host a Christmas eve party and most of the adults would get snookered! God love them, my parents were just so young and such hippies - I'm lucky I survived at all!
NO I did not repeat the scene with my own daughter! Now 22 and with a beautiful baby of her own.
What we do and have since she was little is go to church and then have cookies and coffee (milk) with my in laws and then get to bed late. It's very peaceful and much safer for our 2 mile drive home!
PEACE!!!
2007-12-21 05:09:30 · answer #7 · answered by Lily S 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We would sing a few songs, then we would write a letter to santa our second, on christmas day we even sent a thank you after dinner. All sent by putting the letters in the fire. Then we lit a candle as it got dark. Always someone in the house even when we went to midnight mass. Then when we came home we had a cup of drinking chocolate off to bed after the smallest in the family put the figure of Jesus in the Crib.
2007-12-21 05:59:56 · answer #8 · answered by BUST TO UTOPIA 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We left out mince pies etc for 'santa' and when my brothers were small they left vegetable peelings for the reindeer and I got the late night trip up the garden to feed them to two very happy guniea pigs - but in return also a mince pie off santa's plate!
I'm not sure, my partner and I have slightly different views on Christmas so who knows what we will do for our kids.
2007-12-21 07:54:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
i had the usual, leaving the bits out for Santa and the reindeer. but for my little sister and then my own son i bought special paper and we'd write to Santa then post the letter up the chimney (my mom was lucky enough to have a real fire!). on Christmas eve morning they would get up to find a slightly singed letter and a small gift waiting by the front door. my son is 20 now and i still have a little gift waiting for him by the door!
love and laughter
LL
2007-12-21 05:07:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋