We used to rotate holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas between the Tolman and Perkins families. But Christmas of 2009 was the last one we spent in Utah--ever since then, we spend Christmas day at our home, and now we just rotate the Thanksgiving holiday between the two extended families. We do go to Utah sometime over Christmas break each year now, to see our family and do winter activities together, but it's too hard to take Christmas somewhere else with 4 kids (+ stuff) in tow!
For the past 3 years (ever since we moved into our new home), we've tried to establish our own Christmas Eve traditions. Josh and I grew up with different traditions, and it takes time to figure out what works for both of us as well as the kids, and then stick with it year after year. There are just a few small things that we do the same every Christmas Eve:
1. Read the Luke 2 story of the account of the Savior's birth. The boys all pick characters of the wooden nativity, and set it up as the story is being read from the scriptures.
2. Read the classic tale "Twas the Night before Christmas".
3. Write letters to Santa, and leave the note out with cookies and milk on the Santa plate.
4. Discuss the rules for the next morning (no coming out to the living room until everyone has woken up and mom & dad are ready), and send the kids to their beds.
One of our friends has hosted a Christmas Eve family party that we've attended two of the last three years. The kids go sledding, we eat dinner, and we play games and laugh into the night. It's a fun way for all of us to pass the time on Christmas Eve, as well as spend quality time with those we love to be around.
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