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It is safe to say we are traditionalists - to the extreme. Each year, Christmas morning proceeds in the same manner, without a single deviation to the routine. After breakfast, which always includes cinnamon rolls drizzled in a maple glaze, we move onto stockings, presents, and one very unusual family tradition, which I will tell you about a little later.
My husband and I are lucky to have families that actually like each other. Every since we married, 11 years ago, we have spent Christmas altogether. That's right - my family, his family, altogether. Since we all live in different cities (or countries, for that matter), we rotate between three cities - Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and Victoria, Canada. It is fun, it is joyful, and it teaches our two boys to really appreciate the best part of Christmas - family and friends. We realize how lucky we are and we treasure each year that we are able to continue the tradition.
During the second Christmas that we spent together, the two grandmothers (my mum and my husband's mum) disappeared into the guest room for about 15 minutes. There was plenty of giggling from behind the closed door and we were instructed to have our cameras at the ready. Finally, the door opened to the sound of jingle bells ringing and out came the two cutest reindeer you ever will see, shaking their little red tails at us. Dressed in matching white fleece jumpsuits, antlers, and red noses, the grandmothers were the spitting images of that famous red-nosed reindeer. The performance was such a hit that it was declared an instant tradition. Now the kids are in on the act and, occasionally, an unsuspecting dog or two.
Since that first reindeer Christmas, the reindeer costume has gone through several changes. One year, we were surprised with cheerleading reindeer, another year the theme was "Christmas hits Hawaii" and included bikini tops (over the fleece jumpsuits), leis, and a rousing rendition of the hula. We always look forward to the next incarnation of Rudolph-in-drag.
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100 comments:
We do cinnamon rolls first thing the morning after Thanksgiving and decorate the tree... usually as early as 8 a.m. Our tree is not beautiful, its eclectic, entirely screaming, "We have kids and kid ornaments!" Then when we're done the youngest usually sighs and says something to the effect of, "It needs presents underneath." Thus beginning the countdown to Christmas.
At Thanksgiving we always go around the table and each say what we're thankful for.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
When we were growing up and even after some of us were married (I have 6 younger siblings), we would come home from the late Christmas Eve mass and make a batch of chocolate chip cookies. When we were younger it would mean warm cookies for Santa and when were got older it gave us a chance to catch up. We would also open one gift from under the tree.
msgb245 at gmail dot com
At Easter we always make a bunny cake.
hewella1 at gmail dot com
Having a family dinner and opening presents at Christmas. Not very unique, but it's an annual tradition.
We open our presents on Christmas eve and open presents from Santa on Christmas.We have always opened family gifts on Christmas eve.Not a bad tradition,HUH??
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com
http://twitter.com/meeyeehere/status/28822526219
tweeted too
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com
TURKEY!!! Haha
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/HavensTwit/status/28833037080
At Thanksgiving we always have homemade apple pie with fresh picked apples.
tahearn at roadrunner dot com
I tweeted at
http://twitter.com/tahearn/status/28842212471
tahearn at roadrunner dot com
We all get together for the holidays. I mean ALL of us. There are four generations of us. And if my kids had followed in our footsteps there would be plenty of a fifth generation already! It's a big old bunch of people, and it is what Christmas (and Thanksgiving, and Easter) is all about.
Halloween, its my daughter's birthday and of course, Christmas
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/28849014746
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I bake special Bloody Ghosts cookies for Halloween.
natatheangel at yahoo dot com
We really don't have a tradition.I guess we do make cookies to leave for santa claus the night before Christmas so maybe that is our tradition
truthhole@gmail.com
We do a traditional hay ride on Halloween with all the neighborhood kids
truthhole@gmail.com
During christmas the whole family gets together on christmas eve and open are presents.
hillaryanna at yahoo dot com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/Hillary82/status/28899402026
hillaryanna at yahoo dot com
On Easter we always have an Easter bunny pinata filled with a lot of candy.
MCantu1019@aol.com
http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/28919424950
tweet
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
We enjoy Christmas caroling to the elderly & seeing Christmas lights on Christmas eve...we drive around through the neighborhood.
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
We have a scavenger hunt for our Easter baskets with the kiddos. We hide papers with riddle clues that lead them all over the house and property then eventually to their baskets!
heatheranne99 at gmail dot com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/ScoomerBlog/status/28920402333
heatheranne99 at gmail dot com
We have a tradition we started a few years ago- making Berries & Cream French Toast on Christmas morning!
When I was little, my grandmother always got a bunny cake covered with coconut shavings. It was always exciting to see how cute it was but every time I tried to eat it I would hate the taste!
When my daughter gets older we will do a chocolate egg hunt/easter baskets like my parents did for me when I was little.
ale.runawaybunny@gmail.com
We have a special Christmas morning strata and white cocoa with peppermint.
Then we lookat photos from previous Holidays.
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
OH my gosh that cinny roll picture looks so GOOD! We have sweet rolls but er...um...BUY them. but we always make heart shaped waffles, strawberries and cream, baked omelets and breakfast meats...then graze on holiday homemade treats all day.
the kids love to help with the waffles because the maker has a little birdie "Beep" that lets you know when done! other tradition is dressing up to go to Christmas eve service...taking turns to open gifts (youngest on up rotation) and spending ALL day watching movies and playing with new gifts...NO travel! It's awesome!
thanks so much!
ejrichter60 at gmail dot com
tweeted this!
http://twitter.com/2sic2mooov/status/28964091523
ejrichter60 at gmail dot com
thanks!
We do breakfast casserole and french toast for Christmas morning! After stockings and presents, of course! Makes something special to remember!
We really haven't developed much for morning traditions at this point. Used to be we'd get donuts and/or cinnamon bunns every Christmas but some issues with sugar developed so we haven't really been doing that anymore.
chainmail(at) iwon(dot) com
I tweeted this
http://twitter.com/The_Sunshyn/status/29013851065
we open one present on christmas eve
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
Every Christmas since I was a child we would open presents and then travel down to Pittsburg (no "h"), KS to our grandparents house and open more presents. I mean really, how can Christmas not be the best day of the year.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/HendyMartin/status/29059842683
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOt com
One of our Christmas traditions is to have our extended families over for Christmas lunch. My husband usually fries a turkey. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Tweeted - http://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/29074376233
maddiemb (at) comcast (dot) net
Christmas morning always means quiche and homemade cinnamon rolls!
We each have our favorite sugary (bad!) cereal wrapped under the tree, after we open all of our gifts (and cereal) on Christmas morning we all get to eat a big bowl of our favorite treat cereal!
shannoncarman at yahoo dot com
Christmas day is the only time. I host the family brunch.
http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/29116549495
Don't have any yearly special breakfast traditions, but we usually have special breakfast days on the weekend with pancakes, bacon and eggs! :-) That is also the only time I allow myself the treat of having coffee! Thanks! kmassman gmail
Most of my family spend the day after Thanksgiving getting a head start on the Christmas-season baking. Cookies, cookies and more cookies...but since everyone's full of turkey, they don't get eaten before being carefully stashed in tins and the freezer.
cbeargie at yahoo dot com.
Also tweeted: http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/29139872245
Major holiday mornings are just a bowl of cereal, because we want to save our appetites for all of the goodies that start coming a little bit later in the day!
Weekends and holidays are for bacon and eggs after healthy weekday breakfasts.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/LuigiFranco/status/29147040281
scoopster(nospam)at yahoo dot com
Every July 4th, my family gets together at my parents house and we make fudge. We pour most of it into a pan to harden, but we leave some to dip bananas into. So delicious!
prizeentry @ wesharewithyou dot com
no special breakfast tradition, but we always eat breakfast as a family on weekends. That's nice since we can't do that on weekdays (work)
m8usi@yahoo.com
tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cappytweet/status/29152298315
m8usi@yahoo.com
We have a beautiful Thanksgiving meal with all the traditional food...I love that tradition! We have French Toast Casserole!
leahforlove(at)aol(dot)com
For birthdays my wife makes chocolate french toast.
hmman (at) centurytel (dot) net
http://twitter.com/#!/leahforlove/status/29189589355
leahforlove(at)aol(dot)com
We make reindeer food with all the kids on Christmas Eve, then take them outside in their pjs to sprinkle it all over the yard. :)
Christmas mornings I make cinnamon rolls and a breakfast casserole
s2s2 at comcast dot net
http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/29194313315
Christmas Eve we serve a HUGE breakfast that morning and then skip lunch because we have a big supper that night at my parents!
Tweet! http://twitter.com/Doodle741/status/29199354784
residentmayor at satx.rr.com
we open presents early Christmas morning and then enjoy a traditional meal for lunch
On Christmas eve, we get to open one present!
debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com
tweeted!
http://twitter.com/bellows22/statuses/29206510056
debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com
Christmas morning is the certainly my favorite morning. My kids are early morning risers, and Christmas morning is no different. They are up usually at about 6am. We watch them open all their presents while my husband and I drink our coffee. The stash of new toys keeps them busy while I start cooking breakfast. Our tradition is french toast (made with my mother's homemade Challah bread), bacon, eggs, and homemade home fries. We feast and it usually keeps us full and satisfied until Christmas dinner is ready!
Easter breakfast is always ham and eggs, OJ and warm cinnamon rolls
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
New Years morning we always go out for breakfast
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com
tweet!
http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/29222567715
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
When our children were young my husband was in the military. That meant he had to work either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We taught our children early on that we needed to be flexible. Sometimes that meant presents were opened on Christmas Eve and other times they had to wait till Christmas Day. If they had to wait they always got to open one gift on Christmas Eve. They knew what the gift would be but they were still happy. The gift? New pajamas every Christmas Eve.
Tweet - http://twitter.com/willitara/status/29223576920
On Christmas morning, my husband and I make big breakfast for his family. We love having people over just to talk and serve them.
Holiday breakfasts I make homemade waffles and we have orange juice (we don't usually have it around for regular breakfast, because the kids drink it all as soon as it is bought).
ape2016(at)aol(dot)com
On Chrismas morning, we make coffee and open presents. Then I make a big breakfast for everyone, usually scrambled eggs, bacon, and French Toast.
marcia.goss@gmail.com
Tweet.
http://twitter.com/mgoss123/status/29276916831
marcia.goss@gmail.com
Love all the holiday dinners and everyone participates one way or the other.
gmissycat yahoo dot com
Tweeted here too!
http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/29286116064
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Our favorite breakfast is on New Years day. A big breakfast to start out the New Year.
marybug2@yahoo.com
I tweeted your giveaway
http://swistlereviews.blogspot.com/2010/10/kelloggs-week-twelve-morning-rituals.html
marybug2 at yahoo.com
We don't do any holiday breakfasts, just eggs and waffles every sunday! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
On Christmas morning, we open presents first, then we eat breakafast, much, much, later. Usually everyone is so excited that food is the last thing on our minds. So, breakfast usally doesn’t happen until 11 or so. I make pancakes later on.
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/29305350397
pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Christmas eve was always a time to go to church and then come home to my mother's homemade doughnuts and open all except the Santa Claus presents.
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/Grandma3710/status/29311136505
Love the cinnamon rolls!
We like to have monkey bread on holiday mornings. It's our family tradition (even though our kids are college/high school).
I usually make the breakfast casserole that you let set overnight with the eggs and bread in it. It’s so easy to pop in the oven in the morning and that gives me more time to spend with the family!
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
tweeted: http://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/29333278893
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
We always have breakfast at my house Christmas morning! We invite my aunt and uncle, mom and dad, grandparents - and everyone sits down for a nice family breakfast and my 5 year old son gets to show off his gifts from Santa! This year we'll have a new addition - I have a baby due in a week, so it will be a little more challenging, but definitely special! I'll be out on unpaid maternity leave through Christmas, so I would LOVE to win this to help actually purchase our breakfast items. Thanks for the chance! Here's crossing my fingers!! :)
jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net
Tweet Tweet!
http://twitter.com/ChampagneWisdom/status/29334403936
jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net
Our Special breakfast day is Easter, Christmas, and a couple unplanned days every couple of months we have breakfast casserole
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/jjudy04/status/29397618005
My family goes to IHOP every Christmas morning for breakfast
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/29397812407
shopgurl101@gmail.com
blogged: http://sweetqt.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/win-visa-gc-from-kellogs-and-blogher/
shopgurl101@gmail.com
I love the morning of Thanksgiving day! We always have some pumpkin bread and hot spiced cider while making the big lunch!
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/RePurrPussed/status/29399371346
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com
I tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/29399911804
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com
Each year on Thanksgiving we go to my future mother-in-laws house and everyone bring a dish. We have tons of food, set up a huge tent outside and eat, eat, eat.
Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com
http://twitter.com/Sparklezstars/statuses/29403592342
Tweeted
Sparklezstars@cfl.rr.com
Holidays and Sunday mornings are always a special morning. We have a big breakfast that varies from week to week as we each take turns picking our favorites! Now that we are older, we all take turns preparing the meal. We turn off the telephone, gather as a family, and share our stories, joke around, and spend quality time together.
We always have sliced beef gravy with biscuits before we open any presents on Christmas morning.
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/29411853468
We love to have a day with immediate family around Christmas where we just give thanks to Jesus! No gifts, so commercialism, no hyped up stuff. Just the celebration of our Savior!
Blessings-
Amanda
We love making puppy chow for xmas
sweokgrl@gmail.com
I tweeted
sweokgrl@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/29414057017
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