Christmas traditions

Now that we have a baby I've been thinking a lot about Christmas gift-opening traditions.  In my family, the tradition was to open one small gift on Christmas Eve and then open the rest on Christmas day.  Everything was wrapped, that could be, even "Santa's" gifts.  If it needed to be assembled then it was already done, and obviously not wrapped.  On Christmas morning we would wake up look at all the unwrapped stuff and then go in order around the room opening the wrapped gifts.  That way everyone could appreciate what they received.  The hubs has never been very specific about what they did, but he would be fine opening all gifts a week early. 

Earlier this week this exact topic came up on a chat board that I frequent.  Someone polled the users and asked what traditions they had for Christmas gifts.  There was one option that stuck out in my mind that I thought might work best for our family.  That was where all the family gifts (from mom/dad) were opened on Christmas Eve- this would appease the hubs.  And then all of Santa's gifts and the stocking were done on Christmas day- this would appease me.  I don't like opening EVERYTHING before Christmas... it just ruins the fun.  The only thing I wonder about is when the kid(s) learns there's no Santa.  Do you still do it this way?  I would assume so, and I know that even as an adult I will get gifts from "Santa" and my mom still acts like she has no clue what it is.  ;)

I'm thinking next year we'll start this little tradition with our family.  I like it.  It separates family gifts from Santa's gifts and family gifts don't get over shadowed by Santa's.  Which, lets face it, are ALWAYS what you really want!

Some other family Christmas-time traditions I have been considering are...  hot chocolate and a drive around to look at Christmas lights.  Watching the original "Grinch" (animated version) together as a family.  Getting an ornament for Sofia every year to commemorate that year.  Baking cookies for Santa, even when she gets too old to believe in Santa.

So for this Christmas I leave you a few of my favorites from this Christmas.  We did Christmas on Christmas Eve because my dad's side does a big lunch on Christmas day.  We decided to split it up so that Sofia would not be too cranky.