Christmas Traditions at the McAllisters

It's still Friday and I've done most of what I can do while there is no one in my office so I've decided to share my favorite Christmas traditions with you. I just have to say that Christmas is my favorite time of year. People are happier and nicer (except for those last few days right before Christmas when they are going to the mall for that last gift but can't find a parking spot right next to the front door, you better watch out!). But ever since college, when Christmas meant going home for a few weeks to spend time with family and friends and taking a break from school and looming deadlines, I have really come to love and cherish this time of year. It's a great time to really reflect on our heavenly Father and how much he truly loves us and has given us even though we don't deserve it. We are so blessed!

So, anyway, there aren't many of traditions so this shouldn't take too long (but don't get excited cause I am the babbler).

1. My most favorite is every Christmas morning when I wake up there is a stocking at the foot of my bed just waiting for me to tear into it. Santa (aka my dad) puts it there sometime in the wee hours of the morning. There isn't anything super exciting in my stocking, just fun little gifts along with candy but I still get excited and anxiously await the morning when I can feel the heavy lump at the end of my bad. Since I'm not living at home anymore, I spend the night at my parents house every Christmas Eve (yes, I know, I'm 25, so what?) so that I won't miss out on this great little tradition.


2. For breakfast every year my dad slaves over the hot oven and makes the Pillsbury cinnamin rolls, one batch with white frosting and one with the yummy orange. There are the familys out there that make their own cinnamon rolls from scratch every year and I'm sure those are good but we live under the rule of "the less work the better" on Christmas morning. We also have bacon (this year its the yummy pepper bacon) and eggs. Gotta love the wafting aroma's of bacon, eggs and rolls in the morning....hmmm


3. The tradition that I don't mind so much anymore but HATED when I wa a kid was the reading of this little book called Let's Keep Christmas by Peter Marshal. It's a sermon he gave back in the 50's or something and the book was given to my parents when they became Christians back in the early 70's (they've been doing this tradition since before I was born). The book is old and worn and bit discolored these days but that just makes it all the more special. When I was a kid I wanted to go to bed so I could wake up and open my presents and the book seemed to last for ever and ever! Now, I have realized that it's quite short, full of great reminders for the holiday season and its a nice time to spend with family. I've also discovered that Christmas isn't just about presents. Weird! It's funny how perspective's change over the years. (The picture looks nothing like our book, but they've had some time to redo it since my parent's got their copy 30 years ago)

4. Well, I can't think of a fourth right now except for maybe eating some amazing food made by my fabulous cook of a sister. This year she is making a Peppermint Ice Cream Cake, I'm so excited!
Doesn't that look amazing? I can't wait!



Please share your Christmas traditions with me, I love hearing what other families do around the holidays. :)