View Full Version : My families traditions...
orionarioch
09-23-2007, 05:54 PM
I have been looking up some Christmas traditions on the web & I haven't come across a couple of my favorites so I thought I'd share.
It as been a tradition as far back as my grandmother can remember to arrange the presents around large "Santa presents" wrapped in bows. Everybody gets their own "spot" in the living room with all there presents (& stocking) laid around their big gift like a little Christmas tree.
Usually the "Santa presents" consists of the present most anticipated (what the child asks for most) surrounded by fun little games, sweets & toys.
When the kids wake up, they wait in their rooms (usually watching xmas movies) until everyone's up. Each child is blindfolded (or asked to cover their eyes) & guided to their own little "spot" of presents where they keep their eyes closed in anticipation until everyone is situated... then they open their eyes all at once.
Everyone sits in their "spot" around the room & the wrapped presents are opened one at a time in order from youngest to oldest. That way everyone anticipates all the gifts, gets to see what everyone else got, & the gifts seem to last forever.
As a child it was my favorite family tradition. Younger kids can be really antsy in anticipation, but the opened presents (& "Santa presents") can be played with while the children wait for their turn. It really does make a few presents seem like a hundred... and it helps everybody identify with that "gift giving" feeling when they can watch the presents they helped to pick out being unwrapped by family & friends.
We do the same thing for everybody... Adults usually designate one "Santa" to put out presents for everyone. Then we go out to see our surprise gifts just before the children. It makes us feel like kids again, and then comes the bonus of seeing the kids' reaction just after.
Thefreshelf
09-24-2007, 09:26 AM
Thank you for sharing! I really like the idea of everyone anticipates all the gifts. In my family gift giving can be very stressfull. I will try to introduce some of your ideas.
Here, in the north east of France, there is an important tradition : "Saint Nicolas", on december the 6th. He is supposed to be children's patron saint. He brings sweets and chocolate to good pupils. He is accompanied by a man named "père fouettard", who is supposed to "beat" bad children. Saint Nicolas is also accompanied by his donkey. If, on the eve of december the 6th, you leave in your house milk and carrots for the saint and his donkey, you will find sweets in your slippers when getting up ! Of course, nowadays, this tradition competes with Santa Claus but in my area, the saint is still visiting pupils in the schools, and there are big parades in the streets of many villages and towns.
mchambers262
12-23-2007, 04:15 PM
When my Dad was dying of cancer, none of us could get excited about Christmas. Dreading the holiday, yet not wanting to throw presents at each other, open them in 30 seconds and run, we tried to think of something to do that would lend meaning to the day and make it more bearable for us all.
I wrote the first "Christmas Program" which told the story of Christ's birth intermingled with Christmas carols. I wrote it in dramatic play form, where one member of the family reads a sentence or two (or three), and then another family member reads, etc. At various times the story will pause momentarily and there will be the words to Christmas carols (with the note- "All Sing"- perhaps even "All Stand and Sing"). Some years the Program is more religious or more secular than other years, depending on the writer. We have never been disappointed with a Program yet.
Each family member takes his turn writing The Christmas Program. This delightful tradition, started because of such a sad event, has become the focal point of our Christmas celebration.
PumpkinJack81
12-30-2007, 05:43 PM
When my Dad was dying of cancer, none of us could get excited about Christmas. Dreading the holiday, yet not wanting to throw presents at each other, open them in 30 seconds and run, we tried to think of something to do that would lend meaning to the day and make it more bearable for us all.
I wrote the first "Christmas Program" which told the story of Christ's birth intermingled with Christmas carols. I wrote it in dramatic play form, where one member of the family reads a sentence or two (or three), and then another family member reads, etc. At various times the story will pause momentarily and there will be the words to Christmas carols (with the note- "All Sing"- perhaps even "All Stand and Sing"). Some years the Program is more religious or more secular than other years, depending on the writer. We have never been disappointed with a Program yet.
Each family member takes his turn writing The Christmas Program. This delightful tradition, started because of such a sad event, has become the focal point of our Christmas celebration.
What a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing this with is... I pray that your Christmas this year was merry and bright. :smiling angel:
iluvchristmas
10-25-2008, 02:01 PM
My aunt had 7 kids. As they got older they chose names from a hat at the Thanksgiving dinner and then each person bought one gift for his name. It seemed to be successful but, I only heard about it. I am out of touch with family at the moment and wonder if any of you has tried this and does it work?
onemagicalchristmas
10-25-2008, 02:16 PM
we exchange names for the adults at christmas then the following year we give the gift. I am trying to restart it with this christmas because of the economy and my family is not wealthy. I thought it would be fun to see what each person gets with a $10.00 limit. I am evening willing to purchase the gifts for my parents.since they chose not to be in it because they can not afford it.
But so far no one has say yeah or nay to it! I will ask again after thanksgiving. If they don't want to do this I am getting each family one gift basket and the kids a simialr gift ! I am thinking of walkmans since they are old enough to have cds of there own.presents
onemagicalchristmas
10-25-2008, 02:20 PM
I have been looking up some Christmas traditions on the web & I haven't come across a couple of my favorites so I thought I'd share.
It as been a tradition as far back as my grandmother can remember to arrange the presents around large "Santa presents" wrapped in bows. Everybody gets their own "spot" in the living room with all there (& stocking) laid around their big gift like a little Christmas tree.
Usually the "Santa " consists of the present most anticipated (what the child asks for most) surrounded by fun little games, sweets & toys.
When the kids wake up, they wait in their rooms (usually watching xmas movies) until everyone's up. Each child is blindfolded (or asked to cover their eyes) & guided to their own little "spot" of presents where they keep their eyes closed in anticipation until everyone is situated... then they open their eyes all at once.
Everyone sits in their "spot" around the room & the wrapped presents are opened one at a time in order from youngest to oldest. That way everyone anticipates all the gifts, gets to see what everyone else got, & the gifts seem to last forever.
As a child it was my favorite family tradition. Younger kids can be really antsy in anticipation, but the opened presents (& "Santa presents") can be played with while the children wait for their turn. It really does make a few presents seem like a hundred... and it helps everybody identify with that "gift giving" feeling when they can watch the presents they helped to pick out being unwrapped by family & friends.
We do the same thing for everybody... Adults usually designate one "Santa" to put out presents for everyone. Then we go out to see our surprise gifts just before the children. It makes us feel like kids again, and then comes the bonus of seeing the kids' reaction just after.
I do this with our gifts we put hubby's gift to one side of the tree and mine to the other side of the tree. and the dogs in front of the tree. I will put families gifts around the tree the night before CHristmas Eve party! since it will be at our house and my dogs like to open presents under the tree!
ladyice
10-25-2008, 02:23 PM
My aunt had 7 kids. As they got older they chose names from a hat at the Thanksgiving dinner and then each person bought one gift for his name. It seemed to be successful but, I only heard about it. I am out of touch with family at the moment and wonder if any of you has tried this and does it work?
A polyanna? Yes, my family did that for years. In Oct they picked names and bought one present for the person on the list. Worked fine with a big family.
onemagicalchristmas
10-25-2008, 02:25 PM
I never heard it called that but that is neat! I learned something new today!:santahat:
ladyice
10-25-2008, 02:27 PM
Yea, that's what it was called back then :D
Seems like it's a PA thing.. which is where my family is from :)
"The word "pollyanna" may also denote a holiday gift exchange more typically known as Secret Santa. This term is used in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania. It can instead mean a gift exchange rotation in which several families each give gifts to one other family in the "pollyanna" each year. This is often done when siblings in a large family begin to have children of their own.[1]"
Leslie03
10-25-2008, 06:40 PM
We also draw names in Oct/Nov. It makes it so much easier. We get 3 names since there are 3 of us. When we were younger we always wanted to our uncle to draw our name. He always gives the coolest gifts! LOL. We have recently put a limit of $25 on each gift.
iluvchristmas
10-26-2008, 03:58 PM
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I learned a lot.
lalblue
10-30-2008, 04:21 AM
we had a little girl in 2007 so started a new tradition of having a present on xmas eve of new pjs each and a family game. Seemed a nice idea. We have my parents and my sisters family coming this xmas eve and they are all bringing pj presents too. The kids should love it!
Im thinking Hungry Hippos for the game this year.
PumpkinJack81
10-30-2008, 04:58 AM
we had a little girl in 2007 so started a new tradition of having a present on xmas eve of new pjs each and a family game. Seemed a nice idea. We have my parents and my sisters family coming this xmas eve and they are all bringing pj presents too. The kids should love it!
Im thinking Hungry Hippos for the game this year.
Hello and welcome to the forums! :waving:
Our son was born in October of 2007. When was your daughter born? We started a tradition last year of giving our son a nice children's book each Christmas. We gave him A Light In The Attic last year. He won't be able to appreciate them right now, but when he's older he'll have a nice collection of books. I like your pj and game idea. presents
lalblue
10-30-2008, 05:05 AM
Hi, Thanks
Jess was born Jan 2007 so she'll be nearly 2 this Christmas. Ahh you little one must have just turned 1 then.
I have started collecting Grolier xmas decorations for Jess, she now has 6 and loves looking at them. Should be nice for her to have once shes older.
We've already been reading "The night before Christmas" to her, she can say Christmas but doesn't know what it means.
noelglori
10-31-2008, 05:55 AM
We always made our chldren take turns opening gifts. There was less confusion and we all got to see what each one got and not wondering later. It made our Christmas mornings beautiful with Christmas music playing softly in the background and each child had the focus totally on them when they opened one present. I think it teaches the children patience and also that it's not all about "them". So they learn to share in the joy of others.
PumpkinJack81
10-31-2008, 07:03 PM
Hi, Thanks
Jess was born Jan 2007 so she'll be nearly 2 this Christmas. Ahh you little one must have just turned 1 then.
I have started collecting Grolier xmas decorations for Jess, she now has 6 and loves looking at them. Should be nice for her to have once shes older.
We've already been reading "The night before Christmas" to her, she can say Christmas but doesn't know what it means.
Yes, Robert turned one just a few weeks ago. I can't wait to start the Christmas decorating and see his reaction to things. His favorite thing this Halloween season was walking around saying "pump" for pumpkin and "ahh) for anything scary. He's just like his daddy when it comes ot loving Halloween...He didn't flinch tonight when the trick-or-treaters came. :D
PumpkinJack81
10-31-2008, 07:05 PM
We always made our chldren take turns opening gifts. There was less confusion and we all got to see what each one got and not wondering later. It made our Christmas mornings beautiful with Christmas music playing softly in the background and each child had the focus totally on them when they opened one present. I think it teaches the children patience and also that it's not all about "them". So they learn to share in the joy of others.
I think that is an excellent idea! It's pretty much how my family raised me and my siblings...But when we open presents with my cousins who are now in the 2nd and 4th grade, they still think it's all about them because of the way my aunt and uncle raised them. To each his own I suppose.
MMMerced
11-01-2008, 06:21 AM
I am Puerto Rican so on january 6th we celebrate 3 kings day. We take our shoes and fill them with hay and then place them under the bed so that the camels have something to snack on while the kings leave gifts. It was always so much fun and being a lover of christmas a great way to prolong the season!! :santahat:
Family Traditions Software: familytraditions.weebly (dot) com
It's amazing how many traditions are the same, though we do not know each other on this board.
The part about each person having 'their own spot' in the living room, that is our family to a tee. People get agitated if someone tries to break tradition by sitting somewhere beside their designated spot.