Well, I'm having a hard time again coming up with a memory that I can post. So I'll tell you what we have done for the last 8-10 yrs. on Christmas Eve.
Our neighbors have an open house from 4-9:00. We used to take the boys to church, let them open their one gift and then head next door. We haven't been to church in quite a while (sorry) so we head next door around 4 or so.
The boys were always allowed to pick one gift (non-Santa) on Christmas Eve, AFTER they behaved in church. My youngest (17) still likes to do this even though he's the only one. I have no idea what he'll pick this year since there's not a lot under the tree! Maybe he'll wait until the morning. My oldest is having a big party at their apt. so they won't be around.
Anyway, a lot of the neighbors gather to chitchat, have some wine or beer and a ton of appetizers (can't spell hors d'). We have a lot of laughs and it's hard to head out the door at 9. Sometimes it's at 9:30-10:00 for those who don't have wrapping and all that to do. Some have left a little tipsy, only to go home to pull gifts down from the attic in that condition! LOL
I make this appetizer every year. I start with fused oil w/garlic, oregano, and several spices. This is brushed on small baguette slices and then topped with thinly sliced mozzarella and proscuitto. Then it's broiled until the ham is a little crispy. This is a favorite of a lot of the neighbors but the real reason I keep making it is one of the boy's birthdays is on Christmas Eve. I always feel bad for him. His mom always brings a cake over and everyone sings but I still feel bad with it being so close to Christmas. His eyes light up when he sees my app! It's so cute.
What I hate about the app is that I have to buy the baguette at the last possible moment so I have to go to the crowded store either today or tomorrow morning. I am going to one that's not near the mall. I heard the traffic was on the highway waiting to get off the ramp yesterday. Nope, not me.
I wonder if my 17 yo. will come over and visit everyone. They love my boys. They are much older than the other neighborhood kids and they've babysat or done landscaping so they love to see them. They haven't seen my oldest in a couple of yrs.
I will really miss my neighbors when we move out. We have some great traditions like the block party, the Christmas Eve open house, the Super Bowl parties, New Years Eve bash, summer deck party, etc. We are lucky to have such fun neighbors!
What do you do on Christmas Eve?
3 comments:
I hope everything is okay with you DH. It's good that they haven't found anything. It's probably fatigue plus all that's been going on. You and your family are in my prayers.
Hi there! Mmmm, the bruchetta sounds delicious! I can see why the birthday boy would be excited to see you coming-yum! Sounds like a really fun get-together and I love that your neighbors get together that way. I hope that your son will stop by too.
My tradition is only letting the boys open their new pajamas to wear that night, plus Ian and I write a letter to Santa, bake and/or decorate his cookies (this year just need to decorate!) and then off to bed with the kiddies so we can get out the Santa gifts. This year, my mom is flying in very late on Christmas Eve, so they will be surprised on Christmas morning by Santa's gifts and seeing Grandma! Now, if I can just get this house in order....
Have a wonderful Christmas Eve!!!
Sounds like a fun tradition. In our teens we went to mid-night mass and then came home and exchanged gifts, went to bed, had a yummy breakfast, and then my dad and I would go visit all the neighbors. Although all our neighbors are nice, they are not the kind I visit on Christmas morning.
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