Some families celebrate the majority of Christmas on Christmas Eve. My family always did. I never found out why we structured the holiday season that way, but it made for a fun series of events over the course of the holiday.
We used to open all the wrapped presents as a family the night of Christmas Eve. This was our big family celebration. We had dinner beforehand. The relatives flew in. It was the best night ever!
Then, on Christmas morning, us kids would wake up and run back to the tree in hopes to find the myriad of gifts Santa left us over night. Little did we know, that it was, once again, our parents leaving more presents for us spoiled kids, but it added a second wave to our excitement over the glorious holiday.
As an adult, the traditions evolved. I was introduced to snowy white Christmases. That sort of changed my perspective on the magic of the holiday itself. Then, we participated in an adult “Yankee Swap” tradition on the night of Christmas Eve. Christmas morning became the time to sit around the tree and open wrapped presents. A little different, but similar in concept I guess.
Now, this is my first Christmas as a father. Because the kids are so young, we’re staying home in the warm Florida sun. It’s yet another different vibe, but it’s a most welcomed one. Having family over later today, enjoying hot chocolate, and watching Christmas movies while holding the little ones sounds like the perfect way to spend the night.
And tomorrow morning, we’ll be opening presents around the tree. I guess this is what will become my kids’ Christmas traditions. And I can’t wait for them to experience the same amount of Christmas magic I had during my childhood.
Merry Christmas, everyone!