In the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, my mom would decorate the house — everything from the side tables to the stairways was festive. But there was one item of Christamas decor that was missing.
The tree.
Every year, our parents waited until we were in bed on Christmas Eve, sound asleep…and then they really got to work. Out came the tree. Out came the boxes of ornaments and decorative icicles. Out came the extensive miniature village, the fake snow, the Lionel train.
And when we got up in the morning, the living room was transformed. Not only did gifts suddenly appear, but so did the entire tree and surrounding decorations. It truly felt magical to a little girl who stumbled sleepily into the room to see what had happened overnight.
For years, I was convinced that Santa managed to spend enough time at our house to set everything up. I’d try and try to stay up late, thinking that maybe that noise I just heard was, indeed, the sound of reindeer hooves on our roof. And maybe I could catch Santa in the act of turning our living room into a bright and delightful sight.
Eventually, though, I learned the truth. And that’s when things got even more exciting. Because that year, I was let in on the fun. After my younger brother fell asleep, my mom came to get me and I was allowed to sneak downstairs to help her and dad set up the tree and all its accouterments. What fun! I loved being part of the surprise. (Looking back, perhaps my parents enjoyed having a bit of help setting everything up, too.)
To be honest, I don’t know how my parents did it. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, I’m worn out from the baking and wrapping and all the other preparations… I often fall into bed right after the kids do! So our tree goes up early in December — it certainly doesn’t magically appear on Christmas morning.
But there are other parts of the magical Christmas mornings from my childhood that we do manage to incorporate into our holiday.
My family would always read the account of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2 before we opened presents. We’d talk about the fact that opening gifts is fun, and that all the glitter and lights are enjoyable… but that Jesus really is the greatest gift of all, since he came to give us what no wrapped box ever could: a relationship with God that leads to eternal life.
And after the gifts were unwrapped, we’d move out to the kitchen for breakfast together.
Chad and I try to do both of those things with our own kids. We try to incorporate some Advent readings into our evenings during the weeks leading up to Christmas, and we spend time Christmas morning listening to the story of baby Jesus.
And then after the gifts have been unwrapped, just about when little bellies start growling, I take our Holiday Morning French Toast out of the oven (assuming I got up early enough to get it into the oven in time!). It’s a delicious tradition that we love to share together.
What are your Christmas morning traditions — either now or from your childhood? I’d love to hear about them!
I think that is cool that your parents went through so much hard work to make it even more special for you. My oldest (almost 4) is old enough now to help me decorate and his younger brother goes along right after us un-decorating! It is fun to watch.
We are going to start a few family traditions this year seeing how Gabe is old enough to understand Christmas beyond gift giving.
Christmases while i was growing up are loaded with good memories, but the one that most easily comes to mind are from Christmas Eve. We would go to the Christmas Eve service each year, and then hurry home to make sure that things were set to go. Because dad and mom invited everyone we knew to our house (or that is what it seemed like to me). Our house was large, but on that evening it was packed and it was a great place to be on Christmas Eve.
Christmas is the holiday of giving. We remember what God has given us (john 3:16). God had provided us a good home (not just a house) and Christmas Eve was just one of the ways that mom and dad showed us how to share what HE had graciously given. Thanks dad and mom.
My dad had a strip of sleigh bells and every year, after “Santa” put our gifts under the tree, my dad would ring those bells outside of our bedroom window. It was so exciting for me as a child.
For so many years we went to two houses after we opened our own gifts….it was rough, too much Christmas is not a good thing. For the past 3 years we have been enjoying Christmas with just our family and then seeing our relatives after or sometimes before. In the afternoon we always drive to look at lights….sometimes for hours, so many people take them down the next day and we all love seeing them. It’s exciting but a relaxing day all the same~
I loved going to my grandparents for Christmas dinner. My grandfather wanted everyone around one table – it would start in one room and go all the way into another. ( one year he sat on the head of the table in the living room and my grandmother was at the other end in the dinning room).
This year we get to go dinner at my grandmothers and I am all excited since this will be the first year that my kids get to have Christmas dinner with Great Grandma – I loved all the smells of the dinner and the pies she has after.
Oh – and I did go on hunts for gifts.
We start Christmas morning with a wonderful homemade pastry a dear friend has prepared for our tradition for the last 20 years. We share the Christmas story out of Luke 2 and spend some time in prayer. My husband writes an elaborate treasure hunt for our boys. Solving the riddle moves them one step closer to their gift. Although he began this tradition when the boys were young, we have continued it and are watching our sons repeat it with their sons. Blessings for a wonderful Christmas.
Kara or I write a poem (before Chirstmas) and read it Christmas morning then we give thanks to God for his blessing before we open pressents. After the presents are opened we head over to my mom’s house for time with family, where I impatiently wait for Katrina’s husband to show up so we can go on a Christmas bike ride.
Thank you for remembering the Christmas Surprise. I don’t know how it all got done, either. Sometimes it was 3 or 4 in the A, M. when we fell into bed. Then about 6:30 we were wakened by two excited kids. Don’t forget, we had the ice cream store, so your father closed that at 4:00, scrubbed the ice cream machine(about an hour), scrubbed the floor and locked up. Then he went to pick up the tree, which was ordered at Walp’s. We never could have hidden the tree from you two. Christmas was an exciting time, and so meaningful. Love, Mom
Merry Christmas!
I don’t have a website
I just wanted to say Merry Christmas 
Things change when you kiddos get older. They really do. We actually celebrated the holiday this year Christmas Eve so we wouldn’t have to get up early yesterday. I was still up at 6AM. I know we took a vote BUT noone asked my bladder. We need to get up early this morning as both teens are going to Winter church camp in CO with the snow?!
Daddy is angry and I am cold. We will get the kids up soon…I think?
Have a great Holiday All!!!
What a great tradition…though I’m sure your parents were exhausted!
Merry belated Christmas, my friend!
The kids always manage to wake up before us on Christmas morning. I have tried in the past having them wait to open presents until after breakfast. I have also tried having something premade to stick into the oven while the paper is being shreded. This year I came up with the idea of baking yummy, somewhat healthy oatmeal cookies after they went to bed Christmas Eve and slipping them into their stocking. I reasoned that they did not have any more sugar than any other breakfast treat I would make for the occaision. So this year I relaxed and drank my coffee as my kids were amazed that their mom and dad would actually let them have cookies for breakfast! Don’t worry, they had a great lunch and dinner.
Hi, Katrina! Just dropping in to say “Hi” and “Happy New Year!” Your site looks great. I hope this is the best year ever for you and your family. God bless you!
Shawna