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Agh, I don't know... Christmas is all screwy. When DH took me away from my family, my ONE thing was that I HAD to go back home for Christmas. It's been working out great so far, except... now I have a baby and I'm sad I won't be at our own home Christmas morning. I know DD will never know the difference, but it's kinda weird to wake up Christmas morning somewhere else. And to do 'Christmas' with DD a week before

We are at my parent's house Christmas Eve night & my grandma's Christmas for lunch & then DH's aunt's for Christmas dinner.

Our tradition will be on the 23rd, she opens her first gift (which will always be PJs, Christmas movie, & popcorn/hot cocoa) and we have a slumber party in the living room as a family (this will happen when she's older!)

@LuLu Mom: I that slumber party idea!!! I'm not sure Hubs will do this with me though... he can be a grinch sometimes, haha.

@jetsa: I don't think it was purposely scheduled like that - it's just what always happened and I loved it!

Not a Christmas Day tradition but we always pick out a Charlie Brown tree together. I've loved ugly, unwanted trees since I was a little kid. Somehow, I was able to get DH on board. So, every year we go chop down our pathetic (but oh-so-cute) tree and bring it home and listen to Christmas music as we decorate.

I'm hoping to share my love of ugly trees with LO!

We bake Christmas cookies for our neighbors on the 23rd. On the 24th we go to early Mass and then after dinner the kids get to open all their family presents (which include Christmas pjs and a new book). On Christmas we have snacks all day whilr opening presents, and then a big dinner with a ham. It takes forever to open presents because my kids have to play with everything as they open it, so we usually have several days of presents.

Well traditions we had when I was a kid always included a day where we baked sugar cookies & frosted them. We still do this and we call it cookie day. We always got new PJ's and slippers for Xmas. My mom still does this! And we always do our big dinner and open presents with family on Xmas Eve. Then do just immediate family Xmas morning.

I hope to gift my kids PJ's, a book & an ornament each year. We'll wake up and do stockings first then gifts then have a yummy breakfast. I need more ideas tho!

@Adira: @jetsa: Thanks! The reason I settled on the 23rd was 1) I wanted her to open her first gift at home not at grandparent's house on Christmas Eve & 2) I want her to get a good nights sleep on the 24th since we always have a busy day on Christmas. (and of course Santa comes on the 24th!)

2 yrs ago I wanted to start a tradition of eating the same thing for Christmas Eve every year. My DH, step son who was 18 at the time, and my son who was 3 at the time decided milkshakes and waffles (with all kinds of toppings). At first I was like "No way!" then I caved and its been such a FUN dinner! I look forward to it and so do the kids!

We pick a Christmas movie to watch on Christmas Eve after coming home from driving around to look at lights. Christmas morning we'll open gifts and then make pancakes and hot chocolate. I also bought a plate for "Santa" at PBK this year. M will be a year old but I want to start leaving cookies out as a tradition maybe next year.

The 9 days before Christamas we participate in a Latino tradition called "posadas." Each night a different family hosts the event which is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter. We sing some songs, dress-up in costumes, pray the Rosary, and have dinner together. It makes for really busy nights, but I love that we get together with our friends and family and most importantly show our children that the holidays are about more than just Santa and gifts.

The big celebration for us is typically Christmas Eve. That's the last night of the posadas, we also have dinner and exchange gifts with my side of the family, and usually stop by at another celebration too. Super busy {and long} night.

Christmas morning we're up early to see what Santa brought, open gifts, and have breakfast. This is also the only time we get to celebrate as a family of four, and it's probably the most special to me. After that we all get ready and load up the car to head to my MIL's {about 2 hours away} for Christmas dinner.

@swurlygurl: I was adament that my boys be in their own home on Christmas Day, and this chaotic schedule is the result. We're constantly on the go, but everybody wins. Kind of.

DH and I ALWAYS travel during Christmas because it's our only vacation a year. Maybe I'll start a tradition leading up to Christmas instead?? Didn't think about this prior to DS! Oops!