Christmas Traditions

Well, as the big day approaches, I feel a sense of urgency. The time is quickly running out to engage in certain beloved Christmas traditions and rituals.  The shopping is done.  The house is clean.  Everything is wrapped (except two gifts that I am still waiting to arrive via UPS – fingers crossed big time!)

I’ve got the roast carved and marinating in the fridge for my annual batch of homemade beef jerky!  I’ve bought the cupcake liners, cake mix and icing to make Jesus’ birthday cupcakes.  On Christmas Day we will sing happy birthday to Jesus and the kids will blow out His candles for Him.

Tonight, we plan to make hot chocolate in “to go” cups and ride around looking for great Christmas light displays – both public and private while listening to the last few hours of Christmas Carols on the radio, because goodness knows the stations will stop them at midnight on December 25th!

I really wanted to go into New Orleans to a beautiful, historic church for Christmas Eve mass – a place with plenty holy ambiance, but my kids have their hearts set on going to mass with the extended family locally.  This will be followed by the traditional Christmas Eve dinner at a Chinese restaurant with all of the Doyle family – good times.  We will then go home, put on our jammies and each person will open one gift under the tree.  It’s the hush before the hubbub!

I wish you all a very Merry, Blessed Christmas.  What are your family Christmas traditions?