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Tuesday 23 December 2008

Christmas Eve....





Last year Mimi (Mimi Writes) asked bloggers to post a Christmas Peace Globe, I'm taking the liberty of posting it again this year with the same heartfelt message.

Christmas Eve has always been a busy day for me.  When the boys were young I always got up especially early to start baking mince pies and clean the house from top to bottom.     Once these chores were finished I sat down to watch my favourite film, one that was always on on Christmas Eve afternoon - Lassie!    When my youngest son was still maleable young enough to appreciate Lassie he would watch it with me.   We'd sit with a hot drink and a mince pie (or chocolate for him) and a box of tissues bcause Lassie films were always sad with a happy ending, so we cried all the way through them!

At bedtime, the boys would put out two mince pies and a small glass of whisky for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph.    MWM and I were always really lucky that MIL was always willing to babysit for us on Christmas and New Year's Eve, so we could go out to celebrate.  We couldn't have too much to drink because when we got home we had to gather all the Christmas presents from their hiding places and put them under the tree ready for morning, all the time praying the boys wouldn't wake up and catch us.

On Christmas morning the boys would be awake at the crack of sparrowfart, at some ungodly hour, like all kids, but they were under strict instructions that no way should they enter the lounge before MWM and I, on pain of all their presents disappearing.   Good boys, as they were, they took what we said to heart and waited until we dragged ourselves out of bed after telling them to go back to bed at least four times at a reasonable time, so that MWM could go into the lounge to set the video camera up to capture their faces as they walked in make sure Father Christmas had left their presents before I let them in.  They always checked that the whisky, mince pies and carrots had gone so they were sure Father Christmas and Rudolph were fortified.   It was such a joy to watch their faces as they opened their presents.     We didn't have a lot of money in those days but we tried to make Christmas good for them.

We always had Christmas Dinner at home then we'd go visit the grandparents, first my parents then MWM's mother and grandmother.    Christmas Day was always fun wherever we went.

Once the boys and the grandparents got older the Christmas Day routine changed, the grandparents came to us for Christmas dinner.    That is the pattern today - the grandparents come to us and the boys come to visit us with the grandchildren then go home and have their Christmas dinner.     

What goes round comes round!

Do you have a routine at Christmas or is every one different?

31 comments:

Catch said...

I usually do something on Christmas Eve with my family, such as a big buffet dinner, and we open our gifts Christmas eve too. That way I can sleep in on Christmas Day...hehe. I never get to bed before 4 am on Christmas Eve. I was always as excited as the kids were...and I miss the days when they were small and I could bath them and get them in bed and feel their excitement. I have always loved Christmas...and I am very greatful for all that I have. I wish you the best Akela.....Merry Christmas dear friend!

Finding Pam said...

I loved hearing how you spent your Christmas eve. I bet Father Christmas really enjoyed coming to your home with that whiskey and mince meat pie and even a carrot for Rudolph! I loved Lassie too.

That was also my favorite time when the boys were young. Now they have all grown up, and we don't see them at Christmas but at Thanksgiving. Last Christmas,our youngest son and I flew to Colorado to have Christmas with our oldest son and his family. My husband usually works on Christmas to give those that have children time with their families. There are no holidays in the oilfield.

I miss those days and it is hard when your parents have passed and we are alone then. It really gets me down, but I know it will pass.

My sister will come to visit after the holiday and help me with packing my dishes. I have that to look forward to. I don't know how to get past these blues because of missing loved ones.

Daryl said...

What a lovely tradition to pass to the next generation ... and I've learned a new expression .. sparrowfart .. love it ..

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

:-Daryl

cheshire wife said...

On Christmas Day my husband and I meet the neighbours for a drink at lunchtime in the local pub, then the day is our own.

Happy Christmas.

bigbikerbob said...

Hi, This sounds very similar to our Christmas rituals except that Christmas eve was always "our time" when grandparents baby sat for us and we went out on the town. We always put all the kids presents into our bedroom then locked the door before we went out.At least that way when we came back a little bit the worse for wear, we just whipped them into the kids room.Worse bit was getting to bed around 2am then being woken at 6am still a little tipsy, ah the good old days.

bigbikerbob said...

PS, Lassie is on again this Christmas so get the Hankerchief out again.

Barb said...

The traditions have changed over time from when I was child, then a parent, and now a grandparent.

When my kids were young and still at home, they could "open" their stockings before waking me and their dad. (A few extra minutes of sleep for us after staying up all night assembling and wrapping things.)

Now that my kids are grown and have kids of their own, we all get together on Christmas Eve.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!!

Akelamalu said...

It's usually very late when we get to bed Christmas Eve or should I say Christmas Day Catch! I too have always loved Christmas, and it's even more special with grandchildren isn't it m'dear?

We are very lucky Pam, in that some of our parents are still with us and the boys bring the grandchildren on Christmas Day. I hope your blues pass soon m'dear. x

Ah sparrowfart is a northern expression Daryl :)

I hope you have a fab day at the pub on Christmas Day Cheshire Wife :)

Haha Bed at 2 a.m. up at 6 a.m. that rings a bell Bikerbob! :(
When is Lassie on? I've scoured the TV guide and I can't find it!:(

Yes traditions do change Barb. It's great that you all get together on Christmas Eve, I bet you have a great time! :)

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

sounds lovely! we are having chuck to dinner!!!

merry christmas!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

bigbikerbob said...

Hi, Its a 2005 film, "Lassie" channel 4, Christmas day @ 1.15pm.It stars among others Peter O'toole.

Gledwood said...

Thanks for the msg at mine

have a very merry one indeed!!

xx

Suburbia said...

Merry Christmas to you!

Suburbia x

Dr.John said...

Over the years we have had a number of routines.They7 changed every ten years or so as kids grew, parent grew older, or we moved.

Anonymous said...

Mince pies and whiskey!! Here, Sanat gets cookies and milk (and carrots for the reindeer).

Cloudia said...

What a lovely Christmas, and what a privlege to live it vicariously via your (always) well chosen words. LOVE that crossed-out effect. Thanks for sparrowfart; in a household like ours an expression like that is appreciated as a gift! Your visits & comments to my blog and so many others are gifts of yourself that you share unselfishly. Warm Aloha wishes to a dear woman, Ake Momi-Nani

Linda said...

Your Christmas sounds so much better than mine, I just tried and I can't remember when I wasn't working on Christmas - how sad is that? Perhaps I shall put in early to take it off next year and do something special for a change - like go someplace warm!!

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours filled with many moments that become magnificent memories!

Lu' said...

Peace and Holiday blessings sweet Lady. Our Christmas is not the sort that movies are made of but I've got family to share it with and that is a real belssing.

Robin said...

Ake, just wanted to wish you and your family a wonderful christmas holiday. you've been so kind to me recently and i hope your kindness is repaid to you hundredfold with a joyous christmas!

Elaine Denning said...

I LOVE Christmas traditions.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful time. Sending you lots of love. xxx

Dianne said...

We always open presents Christmas morning and have a big breakfast!

Christmas Eve changes year to year

Merry Merry Christmas

CG said...

The girls always bring their stockings into our bedroom to open those gifts; then we go downstairs, I put the turkey in the oven and we have breakfast. Then we open presents. Sometimes my parents in law come to dinner; otherwise it is just us four. I love Christmas but always miss my mum and dad so much!

Akelamalu said...

Oh that's wonderful news Bee, what a wonderful Christmas present for you m'dear x

Ah thanks Bikerbob I see it now! I'll watch it whilst I'm cooking dinner - hope the tears don't water down the gravy!

I hope you're Christmas is a peaceful one Gleds xx

Thankyou Suburbia and the same to you m'deario.x

Nothing stays the same does it Dr. John and, as the saying goes, a change is as good as a rest!

Whisky and mince pies is just our tradition Citizen, everyone has their own. :)

You always say the nicest things Cloudia. Much love and Reiki blessings to you from Momi-Nani xx

But you provide a much needed service Linda, so selflessly. I hope next year you get to spend Christmas somewhere warm with your family. xx

Ah Lu, the only thing really worth having at Christmas is one's family. xx

Thank you my dear Robin, I wish I could do something to make your Christmas happier. xx

Thanks Laney, I hope your Christmas is everything you wish for yourself my friend. xx

That sounds like a great way to spend Christmas morning Dianne :)

Akelamalu said...

You snuck in whilst I was composing my comment Citizen!
I can imagine how much you miss your parents m'dear, we are lucky our are here with us to celebrate. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your girls. x

Odat said...

What a nice memory!!!
Happy holidays to you and yours!!

Peace

Mona said...

what a great way to spend Christmas! Its always so exciting for the children!

Merry Christmas, Akelamalu & Family!

Mimi Lenox said...

What amazing and loving traditions you keep. I was right there with you at the "crack of sparrowfart" (oh lord that cracked me up)...

Thank you for posting a peace globe and keeping the tradition. I didn't post about it this time....felt we were all burnt out a bit from November...but a lot of folks are still doing it. I love it! So I'll place a reminder on my blog today. It is the perfect time to fly one and be heard.

Merry Christmas and love to you,
Mimi

Rastaman said...

Ima put on my Santa suit and show up for the Whiskey and Mince Pie!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Akelamlu!! You're special!

I like your music, too.

storyteller said...

I'm glad you shared the Christmas Peace Globe. I didn't know about Mimi's project until June of last year and somehow I missed the though of Christmas globes but I think it's a marvelous idea! I enjoyed learning about your 'family traditions' too. Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Hugs and blessings,

tony said...

WISHING YOU& YOURS A LOVELY PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS
Best Wishes From
Tony.

Travis Cody said...

Such lovely memories.

Wishing you the joys of the season!

Akelamalu said...

The same to you Odat and thankyou. x

Ah yes Mona it's always more exciting with children around. :)

It is definitely the perfect time to fly a peace globs Mimi, xx

If you turn up in any sort of suit I'll have a whisky and a mince pie waiting for you Rastaman! x

You can join in the Christmas Peace Globes next year Storyteller x

Thankyou Tony and the same to you m'deario. x

Yes memories to treasure Trav, the same to you hon. xx