Holiday Traditions

KeptByTheWord · #1 12-20-2013, 09:21 AM

Is there a holiday tradition this time of year that your family looks forward to each holiday season? Something that perhaps your parents did with your family as a child, and you have continued it in your family? Or a tradition that you do each year that brings special memories?

Share your holiday tradition here...

For our family, something my Mom began when I was a child was to make Christmas cookies, but... not just any cookie... Christmas Paintbrush Cookies. You take a sugar cookie recipe, and cut out in various shapes including gingerbread men, snowmen, bells, trees, angels, gifts etc. Then you take an egg yolk, mix it with a dab of water, and separate into different containers. Add food coloring to make whichever colors you desire, and get out the paintbrushes, and get busy "painting" on the cookies.

It was such a fun time as kids growing up as we would all be at the table painting our cookies, and it was so fun to watch them come out of the oven, and see how they turned out.

Here is a picture of our Paintbrush Cookies this year:

ILG · #2 12-20-2013, 09:23 AM

KBTW,

We have the exact same tradition! We made sugar cookies and decorate them (but with frosting). This year, we did it on Thanksgiving.

KeptByTheWord · #3 12-20-2013, 09:25 AM

It is a lot of fun, and our kids look forward to it every year, and ask... when are we going to make the cookies... lol....

KeptByTheWord · #4 12-20-2013, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

KBTW,

We have the exact same tradition! We made sugar cookies and decorate them (but with frosting). This year, we did it on Thanksgiving.

I think that's awesome... it is a lot of fun, and great memories are made together!

KeptByTheWord · #5 12-20-2013, 05:51 PM

Another tradition my Mom's family (who are Danish) do every year is to open gifts on Christmas Eve. It is always a toss up every year on whether to do that or not in our own family.

Sasha · #6 12-20-2013, 06:41 PM

We didn't do a lot this year as we usually do because we have a LARGE dog (last year she was a puppy) and a three month old kitten. Our tree is in the basement. LOL!

Tomorrow is cookie making day and spending time with family. I hope to make about 50 dozen cookies and treats.

KeptByTheWord · #7 12-20-2013, 09:23 PM

That's a lot of cookies! Have fun!

T.J. · #8 12-20-2013, 09:23 PM

Our tradition takes place on Christmas Eve day and/or night. Regardless of what time it is when all the adults (my kids) & other assorted adult age guests & grandchildren finally get here...we have BREAKFAST & read the nativity story. The gifts are then opened & there is a time of games - Twister, Bop-It, dance with the Wii. We live in the South, so sometimes the kids can get out & trampoline, run the dogs & cats or whatever. Menu is ALWAYS about the same: Honey Baked Ham, biscuits & rolls, hashbrown casserole, citrus fruit in a light syrup, scrambled eggs, coffee, milk, juice. When my children married & started their own families, it was decided that they should be in their own homes with the kids on Christmas morning/day. So then Christmas Eve became the day for them to "come home." And they also wanted to keep the breakfast/nativity custom.

KeptByTheWord · #9 12-21-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.J.

Our tradition takes place on Christmas Eve day and/or night. Regardless of what time it is when all the adults (my kids) & other assorted adult age guests & grandchildren finally get here...we have BREAKFAST & read the nativity story. The gifts are then opened & there is a time of games - Twister, Bop-It, dance with the Wii. We live in the South, so sometimes the kids can get out & trampoline, run the dogs & cats or whatever. Menu is ALWAYS about the same: Honey Baked Ham, biscuits & rolls, hashbrown casserole, citrus fruit in a light syrup, scrambled eggs, coffee, milk, juice. When my children married & started their own families, it was decided that they should be in their own homes with the kids on Christmas morning/day. So then Christmas Eve became the day for them to "come home." And they also wanted to keep the breakfast/nativity custom.

I REALLY like this tradition!! A great one to enjoy once your kids are married with families of their own... it makes a great evening where the entire family can be together, and then can make their own Christmas memories at home on Christmas morning... the meal sounds delicious too... and making the nativity story the center of the evening even better! Thanks for sharing!

KeptByTheWord · #10 12-21-2013, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sasha

We didn't do a lot this year as we usually do because we have a LARGE dog (last year she was a puppy) and a three month old kitten. Our tree is in the basement. LOL!

Tomorrow is cookie making day and spending time with family. I hope to make about 50 dozen cookies and treats.

Maybe you could share a picture of all your hard work today! Sounds like you'll be using a LOT of sugar!!!