Christmas Eve was always the time we spent with my in-laws, at my home. Since they have both passed away this year, we are kind of at a loss over what to do. Dh, the kids and I are still mourning them and I really am having trouble trying to think of somehting to do. My dad has his wife's family over for a big Italian thing, I don't want to go there and I don't want to go to my mother's - she's a little over the top with sympathy for us, I just want to do somehting quiet but special. any thoughts?

By Kym on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 10:23 pm:

We only spend Christmas Eve alone together our "in house family", if we get an invitation, we pass. We do this out of mourning and respect for my mom, who's favorite day of the year was Christmas Eve, she stayed up ALL night wrapping, hiding, cooking, playing etc. We have our own tradition now...
We start with Buffet Dinner, it's all appetizers, some we make, some we buy like frozen taquitos, bagel pizzas, jalepeno poppers, crudite, and finger deserts. We eat while watching Christmas Story, when the movie is over we open up our Christmas eve gift: new pajamas and new family game. We get into our jammies, have some hot cocoa and play the new game.

We almost accepted an invitation last year, one of my good freinds was hosting a happy hour, this was her first Christmas as a single mom so i felt obligated to go. My oldest two were so sad that we were going to break tradition we ended up not going.

I am sending you hugs, I know how it is to be without loved ones on a day that was so traditional, I'm sure your family will eventually create a new tradition that is just as strong and meaningful to the next generation.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 10:39 pm:

Every year, we have steak fondue dinner on our "special dishes". We always have the same meal and a yule log cake.
Everyone opens one gift.
We then drive around and look at the lights. It is very low key but my kids love the tradition and do not let us miss any part of it.

I hope you find a new tradition!

By Kateg on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 10:50 pm:

My family goes out for pizza & then drives around & looks at lights. It's our special way of being together & really enjoying the moment and our family!

By Dramamamma on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 11:50 pm:

We have our Christmas "big dinner" at mom's house on Christmas Eve, then afterwards we go and look at Christmas lights. Christmas Day is spent hanging out at home with new toys and such. This year santa is leaving a stocking for my mom and sister here so they will join us Christmas morning. Brendan will be going to his dad's house Christmas afternoon and be there until Thursday or Friday.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 11:50 pm:

Spend the day making lasagna, go to church at 3:30. The service starts at 4:30pm. I have to be there early to do a little choir practice before church starts, come home shortly before 6pm, to a yummy-smelling house, since lasagna is nearly done. We eat lasagna with slices of French bread and salad.

After supper, I make our Christmas morning egg bake, usually blueberry French toast and make the red-and-green jello, that I take to my SIL's house on Christmas Day. Sometimes I make coffee cake, too.

We open presents on Christmas Day, so no presents on Christmas Eve.

We should watch one of our Christmas movies, when I'm done in the kitchen!

By Bellajoe on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 03:55 pm:

We usually go to my in laws for their traditional Italian Christmas Eve meal, meaning no meat. Pasta and some fish and shrimp instead. Then we go to mass. Come home, chill out in front of the fireplace and go to bed.

This year we will go to the in laws on Christmas Eve like always but we plan to go to mass on Christmas Day after the tearing open of gifts of course. I just feel bad giving them a Wii and then saying "go get dressed for church!" That's just evil, oh well.

Growing up, my family would have chocolate fondue as a dessert on Christmas Eve, we would eat it by the fire while watching a Christmas Movie. Then we would open one gift and then either go to midnight mass (when i was old enough) or just go to bed and hope morning arrives soon!