Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.
Dalai Lama
My childhood Christmases were a blur of people coming in and out in the small house I grew up in. Cousins and aunts and uncles would come over for a few days and we’d all be together for the holidays season. The schools were closed and it was the prefect time to re-acquaint us with our extended family. My parents enjoyed having a full house and as a result I have been very eager to bring similar early childhood memories to my own children.
So here I am getting ready to host our own Christmas Eve party, having invited 5 couples and their children over. Some of them will be going back home after the party and some will be sleeping over. It’s been a family tradition for the past 7 years and exception made last year when I went back home I have always been quite excited when the time to prepare everything finally arrives.
Lovely Husband took care of the grocery shopping for me so for the next three days I will start preparing and putting together this meal we will all share on Christmas Eve. As a bonus this year I will be off work until next Thursday and I am looking forward to putting my feet up once everything is done…
Right now, however I have a few more errands to run, a few more gifts to wrap and a few more dishes to prepare…I’ll be going now but not before asking you dear friend…
What are your holiday traditions? Tell me I’d love to know 🙂
Far Away In The Sunshine 
happy christmas day! hope you are having a wonderful christmas with your family….been up playing a few hours already…smiles.
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It was so much fun, I am quite tired and half broken (back is very tender) and I LOVED every minute of it. 🙂
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I miss the days of a houseful of people for the holidays! We are dwindling and spreading out I’m afraid. But its fun to see the things my boys have latched onto for their traditions… tiny things like their favorite ornaments, and climbing in the Christmas tree box to see if they still fit… barely- but youngest still does. Merry Christmas Anyes! I hope you have a lovely time with your family!
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I hope your Christmas was full of the simple and precious joy of being together, which is the treasure a family Christmas gives all of us. Sending you love and strength and joy and peace xo
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While growing up we were a very small family indeed. No relatives in Australia, and none acknowledged anywhere. However, Christmas Day was open house for the lonely, the frightened and/or the unwell. A tradition I try and continue.
Your celebrations fill me with awe – I hope it is truly wonderful for all of you, family and friends both.
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Oh Soosie, I love how you open your house and your heart to the lonely people at this time of the year, I believe it is even more important than other times. What a blessing you are in your neighbourhood xo
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My childhood Christmas memories are of family being together as well…we weren’t a large family but we did see our cousins, aunts & uncles. And the neighbours — we always spent time with the family across the street…they would come over for “cheer” and food and to see our gifts and later in the day we would go over there for the same. I miss that. Now we are down to 4. Me, my husband and our 2 sons. So it’s quiet and we’re making our way (this is our 2nd Christmas as 4)…no traditions…but someday there might be daughters-in-law and grandchildren and new traditions will begin. Wishing you and your family a lovely, blessed Christmas Anyes, and enjoy that time with your feet up! xoxo
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A part of me dreads the time when we will have it with only the 4 of us and I try to look at it as part of the life cycle…Soon enough your daughters-in-law and your grand-children will add themselves to this beautiful family.
xoxo
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Have a lovely, sweet memories making Christmas, Anyes. Sounds wonderful!
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It makes everything a bit busier this time of year but being all together and the memories we are making are priceless. Enjoy your Christmas Barbara 🙂
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smiles….we have an elf that comes to live with us for a few weeks prior to christmas…we did christmas with my parents last night…was much fun and hanging out with them today….we will head to bristol to see the inlaws the day after christmas…we always do christmas on our own as a family
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Does your elf have a valid passport and be willing to travel North? 😉
Christmas on your own as a family does sound inviting as well Brian…Wishing you the very best time…Enjoy each other’s presence 🙂
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Good Morning, traditionally speaking it’s always a gather of family, friends, extended family, anybody who have no family, come one, come all. It’s an open door, a revolving door, never ending festivity to gather and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Have a blessed Christmas with Lovely Husband, Sweet Son and to the rest of your family.
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Good morning Seeker 🙂
It sounds like fun and I am wishing you a very merry Christmas with all your friends and family
Thank you so much for your kind wishes
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Haven’t created any holiday traditions yet, Anyes, but I do enjoy watching the anticipation of Christmas bubble over in my sons. I think I will start a tradition where my sons record why they are thankful for each gift before they open the next one.
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Traditions take a bit of time to fully evolve and your family is still young. You have plenty of time Kozo.
Your idea seems like a great one and I have the feeling a lot will be learned doing it ((Hugs)) to you and your family Kozo 🙂
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