Holiday traditions?

[Auquanut]

Every year for the past 30+ years, my family has strung popcorn and cranberries for the tree while watching Christmas movies. This year, it took all of 'Christmas Vacation' and half of 'Christmas Story' before we got it done. Then comes the ornaments. After all of these years, Lynna can (and does) still tell when each one was added.

The only ornament that doesn't get added to the tree yet is the pickle. When we returned home after retiring from the Navy, we started the tradition of the pickle gift. Each year, one special gift is given to the grandchild who can find the pickle ornament hidden in the tree. After the rest of the festivities are done, the child that found the pickle the previous year hides the ornament in the tree for the rest to find. We've done this for 12 years, and it's become one of my favorite traditions.

What are some of your holiday traditions that make this time of year special for you and your family?

P.S. The picture on the wall was produced by the older grandkids when they were still small. About 10 years ago. It goes up every year. Another tradition.

 

[Gtinnel]

There is a park near us that does a drive thru light display, so every year the we buy a box of donuts and drive through the lights while eating donuts. It sounds stupid but it's one of the few things we do every year that the family looks forward to.
Other than that we don't really have any traditions other than there being a few movies that we watch as a family every year. We just watched Elf last night, so we still have The Grinch and Hone Alone left to watch in the next few weeks.

I feel like attaching a picture of our tree is a must although it has nothing to do with our tradition. So here is one of our 4 trees.

 

[MaxTremors]

We usually take a trip somewhere. We’ve gone to Europe several times, Mexico, the Carribean, Peru, Columbia/Brazil, Hawaii, usually (but not always) somewhere warm. This will be the third year that we won’t be going anywhere, hoping next year the world will be in a better place.

 

[A;exr54]

We hang ornaments that we’ve collected over the years. Some are 20 or so years old.
The kids make a gingerbread house.
Kids open presents in Xmas day.
We’re not religious. But we enjoy holidays

 

[Auquanut]

There is a park near us that does a drive thru light display, so every year the we buy a box of donuts and drive through the lights while eating donuts. It sounds stupid but it's one of the few things we do every year that the family looks forward to.
Other than that we don't really have any traditions other than there being a few movies that we watch as a family every year. We just watched Elf last night, so we still have The Grinch and Hone Alone left to watch in the next few weeks.

I feel like attaching a picture of our tree is a must although it has nothing to do with our tradition. So here is one of our 4 trees.

Sounds awesome. Don't forget "It's a Wonderful Life'. Probably the best Christmas movie ever made.

 

[Auquanut]

We usually take a trip somewhere. We’ve gone to Europe several times, Mexico, the Carribean, Peru, Columbia/Brazil, Hawaii, usually (but not always) somewhere warm. This will be the third year that we won’t be going anywhere, hoping next year the world will be in a better place.

Hope so too. Until then, think warm.

 

[Auquanut]

We hang ornaments that we’ve collected over the years. Some are 20 or so years old.
The kids make a gingerbread house.
Kids open presents in Xmas day.
We’re not religious. But we enjoy holidays

You bring back so many memories of Christmas when our kids were younger. I miss those days. They grow up too fast.

 

[ZoWhat]

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[Gtinnel]

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My wife and I don't really buy for each other for Christmas, but for every holiday where you traditionally get a gift my wife just tells me that whatever the last aquarium thing I bought myself was my gift. Which I'm good with, it's better than her buying me something I don't actually want.

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Hmmm well, I harness up my Shetland pony Mercedes and put sleigh runners on her cart if the weather allows and we ride around singing carols. We eat Clam Chowder on Christmas Eve. We also observe the 12 days of Yule, which includes decorating a log to burn , celebrating the solstice, and burning candles and incense and making offerings of food and drink.

Our wedding anniversary is on the 31st

 

[BanjoBandito]

I've watched "EMMIT OTTERS JUG BAND CHRISTMAS" every year, usually on Christmas eve for 20+ years. Sometimes its just me and the fam, other times it's a party of 40+ people. I always watch "Christmas Vacation" Christmas Eve when my wife and I stay up wrapping presents until 2am, then the kids wake up at 6am. Lol.

 

[Auquanut]

Hmmm well, I harness up my Shetland pony Mercedes and put sleigh runners on her cart if the weather allows and we ride around singing carols. We eat Clam Chowder on Christmas Eve. We also observe the 12 days of Yule, which includes decorating a log to burn , celebrating the solstice, and burning candles and incense and making offerings of food and drink.

Our wedding anniversary is on the 31st

Wow! You all really get into the holiday spirit! That's awesome. First time I've ever seen a toddler driving a Mercedes.

My wife's birthday is December 18th. Kind of a double whammy.

 

[Auquanut]

I've watched "EMMIT OTTERS JUG BAND CHRISTMAS" every year, usually on Christmas eve for 20+ years. Sometimes its just me and the fam, other times it's a party of 40+ people. I always watch "Christmas Vacation" Christmas Eve when my wife and I stay up wrapping presents until 2am, then the kids wake up at 6am. Lol.

I forgot all about EMMIT OTTER. Definitely watching it this year.

 

[atomos]

Not as exciting but very funny (for me---not for my wife who would freak out--LOL) for the first 3 years---our son always seemed to get his hand stuck in the train tunnel---this year I asked him if he wanted to make "getting his hands stuck in the tunnel" to add to our holiday tradition....

 

[Auquanut]

Not as exciting but very funny (for me---not for my wife who would freak out--LOL) for the first 3 years---our son always seemed to get his hand stuck in the train tunnel---this year I asked him if he wanted to make "getting his hands stuck in the tunnel" to add to our holiday tradition....

Now THAT'S a holiday tradition!

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Wow! You all really get into the holiday spirit! That's awesome. First time I've ever seen a toddler driving a Mercedes.

My wife's birthday is December 18th. Kind of a double whammy.

Well then good thing the second package you have coming is for her. Happy Birthmas

 

[Auquanut]

Well then good thing the second package you have coming is for her. Happy Birthmas

Been trying to figure out who you were. Thank you SO much!

 

[Mr_Knightley]

We've never done anything super fancy, however we have a special gift exchange that all of the siblings & in-laws do every year. We draw random names and have to get a gift for that person without them knowing (it's essentially a Secret Santa). This year we've got 16 people participating, 12 of whom are siblings. It's a lot.

 

[BanjoBandito]

I forgot all about EMMIT OTTER. Definitely watching it this year.

RIVER BOTTOM NIGHTMARE BAND has a fish, that's good enough for me.