Xmas Traditions

1) The Santa Claus: Every year after Thanksgiving (sometimes I wait 'till midnight to officially be the next day) I watch this movie. I love it and it has become a serious tradition. Maybe next year I'll take the next day of the Thanksgiving weekend and watch The Santa Claus 2. Not nearly as good but still cute. The girls love watching the first one and looking for the elves throughout the movie.

2) Ringing up the Lights: Every year I try, and fail, to put up the outdoor lights on Thanksgiving weekend. Maybe next year! (I finally got them up this weekend)

3) 10 Days Before Xmas: My family started this when I was younger. If I recall, it is a made-up combination of the 12 days of Xmas as well as Hanukkah (however you spell it) and/or other traditions. I'll send my dad an email for more info. Basically, 10 days before Xmas, the kids in the family place one shoe outside of their bedroom door before they go to bed (Bug tired doing two shoes one night last year). In the night, one of Santa's elf leaves a small present. My folks have over the past few years changed the shoe for a stocking that hangs from the door. I still use the shoe.

4) Advent Calendar: S used to do this and so does A. As such, it has become a Zel family tradition. In the past, we have used calendars that had little chocolates inside. A few years ago we used a Lego calendar. This year, A and the girls have created a large paper tree that hangs on our closet door. They then created paper ornaments that are put up by the girls every morning.

5) Trim-A-Tree Get-Together: Every year in TX, we held an annual Xmas party (I fast discovered though that if I called it a party I had less people show-up than if I called it a get-together). We'd get a tree (which of course is also a tradition), put it in the stand and just ring up lights. We would then have friends over for our annual get-together and have each person put up one (or more) ornament(s) on our tree.

6) Food Stuff: Specifically for the party, I always had S make Rice Krispy Treats, preferably the ones with the red and green pieces. She would make two batches, one for the guests and one just for me! And yes I would swallow them down as the night progressed. The other item was a tradition from S's that I am adopting. M&M's and peanuts. She takes a bowl and mixes in plain red and green M&M's with salted peanuts. The mixture (although it may sounds weird) is very delicious. I have had other friends use it now at their parties as well.

7) White Elephant: At these annual get togethers (which I have not had in 2 years now (very sad)), I request everyone to bring a present that they have received in the past but hated! If they do not have one, I suggest a $5.00 or so small item. We then put numbers in a hat, draw them out, choose presents, steal presents, etc... Rules seem to change every year.

8) Night Before Christmas: Finally, on the night before Xmas, I recite this story to my girls before tucking them in to bed.

I'm sure I have more traditions than this (I know I originally thought of at least 6 more in the car) but that's it for now. So how about you? Any unique or different traditions you would like to share?