Christmas Eve- Holiday Traditions pt 4

Christmas traditions are some of the most dynamic family bonding opportunities you will ever experience. The Christmas-time memories made when I was a child remain vivid in my mind as an adult.

Christmas Eve can be a magical night in a young child’s life. Just witnessing their excitement and curious anticipation of Santa’s arrival and the presents to come can make the evening just as magical for adults.

I loved watching the tracking of Santa’s progress delivering presents around the world. You can track Santa at www.noradsanta.org or on TV.

Be sure to leave evidence that Santa was in the house. Use cornstarch to create Santa’s “snowy” boot print near the fireplace or front door. Put cookies and milk out for Santa and “reindeer food” for Santa’s staff, being certain to take bites, drink some milk and remove the reindeer food. In the morning watch the amazement on the children’s faces as they are enchanted with the thoughts of Santa and the gifts under the tree.

As a child, my family’s favorite Christmas Eve activity was to pile into the station wagon with a thermos of hot chocolate and a bag of mini marshmallows. I was always in awe of my Mother’s ability to pour hot chocolate in a moving car without spilling a drop. That “no spill” talent didn’t always extend to us kids, but Mom was ever prepared with napkins and even a wet cloth in a plastic bag for the more serious spills (like when my brother “accidentally” bumped my mug with his knee).

This Christmas I hope you enjoy your family traditions and maybe add a new one. Whether you make a gingerbread house, bake cookies, watch a special movie (be sure to make popcorn!), attend a church service together, go caroling, read a book, make eggnog, open one gift, bake a birthday cake for Jesus, leave a thank you note for Santa for past Christmas blessings, have dinner in your jammies, or take a drive to see the lights, enjoy your family. Enjoy each other.

Enjoy the season.

Wishing each and every one of you a blessed, happy Christmas and a healthy, happy 2021. Please let me exclaim, as I continue to write, Merry Christmas to all and to you all a good night.