For our family circus, the most favorite and oldest holiday tradition is birthday cake for breakfast Christmas morning. We have been doing this since our 22 year old was 2 years old. This family tradition gives my father's wife fits but who cares? It is one day out of the year and it gives us just one more moment to remember again what Christmas is all about in our family and our home. Before presents and stockings, we light a birthday candle on the cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. The youngest member of the family gets the honor of blowing out the candle and then we enjoy birthday cake for breakfast with coffee or hot apple cider while we begin opening our gifts to one another.
My favorite Christmas tradition is one that I am no longer a part of, but one that I made sure my children continued to enjoy.
My ex-husband’s family celebrates the Mexican tradition of Posadas the nine days leading up to Christmas. From the 16th to the 24th they all gather in the evening starting with prayer.
My former in-laws have 7 adult children and 28 grandkids, so some stand, some sit on the floor, it isn’t about comfort or luxury, it’s about family and remembering the real meaning of Christmas.
Everybody usually takes a turn hosting a different night, but Christmas Eve is ALWAYS at Grandma and Grandpa’s house!
After praying the Rosary together, about half the group takes on the role of Joseph and Mary and sings their plea from the garage (it’s not as cold as it is outside!). The other half sings the parts of innkeepers turning them away. When finally they are led inside the statues or figurines of Joseph and Mary are put back into the Nativity Scene.
Of course eating is always central to any celebration. The first eight days it’s usually cookies or pastries with something warm like hot chocolate or cinnamon tea. On the 24th the Assembly Line for Tamales sets up early! Grandma’s house is a hubbub of activity all day long – after prayers and singing and several clearing of the tables to eat tamales, everybody opens their presents starting with the youngest. At the stroke of midnight, “Feliz Navidad” is heard with each hug given to everybody there.
So even though I stopped being part of the family, I made sure my three children were there every night. Work and school have been the only things to keep my kids away from these family get-togethers: even now that all three are adults they plan other activities around Posadas.
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For our family circus, the most favorite and oldest holiday tradition is birthday cake for breakfast Christmas morning. We have been doing this since our 22 year old was 2 years old. This family tradition gives my father's wife fits but who cares? It is one day out of the year and it gives us just one more moment to remember again what Christmas is all about in our family and our home. Before presents and stockings, we light a birthday candle on the cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. The youngest member of the family gets the honor of blowing out the candle and then we enjoy birthday cake for breakfast with coffee or hot apple cider while we begin opening our gifts to one another.
My favorite Christmas tradition is one that I am no longer a part of, but one that I made sure my children continued to enjoy.
My ex-husband’s family celebrates the Mexican tradition of Posadas the nine days leading up to Christmas. From the 16th to the 24th they all gather in the evening starting with prayer.
My former in-laws have 7 adult children and 28 grandkids, so some stand, some sit on the floor, it isn’t about comfort or luxury, it’s about family and remembering the real meaning of Christmas.
Everybody usually takes a turn hosting a different night, but Christmas Eve is ALWAYS at Grandma and Grandpa’s house!
After praying the Rosary together, about half the group takes on the role of Joseph and Mary and sings their plea from the garage (it’s not as cold as it is outside!). The other half sings the parts of innkeepers turning them away. When finally they are led inside the statues or figurines of Joseph and Mary are put back into the Nativity Scene.
Of course eating is always central to any celebration. The first eight days it’s usually cookies or pastries with something warm like hot chocolate or cinnamon tea. On the 24th the Assembly Line for Tamales sets up early! Grandma’s house is a hubbub of activity all day long – after prayers and singing and several clearing of the tables to eat tamales, everybody opens their presents starting with the youngest. At the stroke of midnight, “Feliz Navidad” is heard with each hug given to everybody there.
So even though I stopped being part of the family, I made sure my three children were there every night. Work and school have been the only things to keep my kids away from these family get-togethers: even now that all three are adults they plan other activities around Posadas.