wow...so many interesting and great traditions!

Some of the things that my family did is that we always open up one gift on christmas eve. Then Cristmas morning my brother and I would wake up the folks at the Great Hour of about 3am. then..off to nanas and papaws for more christmas fun.
Also since we didnt have a fire place, for years my parents put up a cardboard fireplace so santa could come. We would gather around it and Dad would read the Christmas story form the Bible. And also of the time that He arose. For as my father put it "Without Him Being born here on earth, He could not have died for us later on. WE learned a valuable lesson around that cardboard fireplace. They still have it and gave it to my brother not long ago to carry on the tradition with his sons.
Another for years we would go to my uncles firehouse for the annual party. My brother and I would sit on santas lap and thank him for the candy cane and small gift. Not untill YEARS later..like 25 or so..did we find out that it was our own father. To carry on that tradition. I got to dres up as santa for my nephs one year. Mom and dad drove to tennessee and I followed a few hours behind them. I got there long after the kids were put to bed. I changed in the garage and very quietly tip toed to the tree. My brother was filming "Santa" from a "hidden location" and on que i made a bit of noise..out of the corner of my eye i see 2 little heads pop around the corner. In "Ho Ho's" voice i say...hmmm...i wonder if they are up? Never seen the youngest move so fast (he had just turned 2 at the time)! it was priceless to see the look on thier faces. They scooted off to bed so fast it woke up the whole house. To this day they never figured out how Unka got there right after Santa.

This year. We are hoping to have all the family together. will be the first time in many years. Will be noisy with all the little ones. but well worth all the family together for a much needed family portrait.