Christmas Traditions

A bunch of my friends have posted their traditions then asked everyone who reads their post to post their own traditions. (Did that make sense?)

So here we go:

Our Christmas traditions start after Thanksgiving. The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving we take down our Thanksgiving decorations and put up our Christmas decorations. We do lights outside, two years ago we started adding figures to the lights. We have a snowman and a creche.

Here is Thanksgiving weekend:


This is the finished product:



Steve and some of his brothers also put lights on their mom's house.

We draw a name to decide who we get to buy a present for. Then we go and buy a present for that person. The present sits under the tree until Christmas Eve when we get to unwrap it.

About every second or third year we have bought the inexpensive plain stockings and let our kids decorate them.

We go to Temple Square to look at the lights. We also look for Christmas lights and decorations every time we drive somewhere. It's almost a contest to see who can spot the next set of decorations first.

We try to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown Christmas, Mr Krueger's Christmas, and as many other Christmas specials as we are able to.

We also go to the Ritchie party to see Santa and receive the Ritchie Family Newsletter. We also have a program, which is either the nativity or based on the story "Teach the Children"
(This party includes everyone from Steve's grandparents down.) The kids receive one present from Santa that they get to open that night.

We also have a party with Steve's mom before Christmas. Most of the time we unwrap the present from her that night. She love to watch the kids unwrap the presents!

We make treat plates and take them to some of our family and friends. Some of our traditional goodies are sugar cookies, creamy chocolate truffles, and Rice Krispy treats. Occasionally we will do some divinity, fudge, chocolate covered raisins or marshmallows, or other treat that sounds good.

Christmas Eve we have a Ham dinner with mashed potatoes, rolls, and eggnog. Then we have a Family Home Evening about Christ's birth. Then we unwrap the present from each other. We then put out milk and goodies for Santa.

Christmas Day we visit my parents and Steve's mom. The rest of the day we spend at home playing and watching Christmas movies.

So now I want to hear about your Christmas traditions.