What are your weird Christmas traditions?

[NMAmy]

DD was home sick yesterday so I left work early to "mommy" her. We watched the Charlie Brown Christmas video and we always do the weird dances that the kids do. We rewind it so we can do each kid's dance. My favorite is the little twins that wave their arms back and forth.

Since dd was sick, she made me do them all while she rewound the tape over and over. Then when DH got home, she put it in again and made DH and I do them together. (She's very bossy when she's not feeling well!) It was hysterical. She told me later that it's one of her favorite traditions and, now that she's older, she loves that I'm still willing to do silly things with her. Isn't it funny that I always forget every year until she reminds me but it's made a big impression on her over the years?

I'm hoping she'll feel better soon so I can make her do the dances for me this time!

What goofy things do you do during the holidays?

 

[Maleficent13]

Oh...I just know Hepzibah Matilda is going to make me do stuff like that...and I'm going to the whole time. I remember someone had a thread a long time ago about how their DD made them play "American Idol" and sing in front of her DD and DH, who were judges. I would if I had to do that (but would I do it?...probably).

I don't think I have any goofy traditions...but I do have to watch Christmas Eve on Sesame Street every year. I love that show.

 

[NMAmy]

Oh...I just know Hepzibah Matilda is going to make me do stuff like that...and I'm going to the whole time. I remember someone had a thread a long time ago about how their DD made them play "American Idol" and sing in front of her DD and DH, who were judges. I would if I had to do that (but would I do it?...probably).

I don't think I have any goofy traditions...but I do have to watch Christmas Eve on Sesame Street every year. I love that show.

Oh, man, I had my reply all typed out and then got "server busy." Aarrghh.

Cait's favorite Christmas movie is Christmas Eve on Sesame Street! When she gets cranky this time of year, all I have to do is put Feliz Navidad on the cd player and she can't help smiling.

She also makes DH do "ballet" with her. It's hysterical! And, bless his heart, he gets all into it with big gestures and playacting to go along with it. You'll be surprised what Hepzibah Matilda will get you to do once she can talk and be bossy!

I'd be terrified of the American Idol thing, too. I can only imagine dd's 'critique' of my singing!

Thanks for answering, Mal! Apparently, I'm the only one who gets this goofy around the holidays. Oh, who am I kidding--this stuff happens all the time around our house.

 

[Aidensmom]

We are goofy all the time at our house, so I can't really think of anything especially wierd that is done only at Christmas time! DS4 and I watch all the childrens holiday specials and imitate the characters, or put on Christmas music and do crazy dances, but honestly that stuff is pretty "normal" for us. My son told me this morning "Mom, you are so funny all of the time." I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

 

[NMAmy]

My son told me this morning "Mom, you are so funny all of the time." I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

That's definitely a GOOD thing, Aidensmom!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We watch "Elmo Saves Christmas". When my 12 DD was a baby/toddler she loved Elmo. She had everything Elmo related. (I even managed to get the Tickle Me Elmo that Christmas! ). Now, she said it's a tradition that we watch it every year. Much to the chagrin of her 14 year old sister!

 

[OhMari]

Oh, man, I had my reply all typed out and then got "server busy." Aarrghh.

Hit your back button, that way you won't loose all your text you just typed. It should take you back.

 

[annsteere]

Santa Claus actually comes to our house on Christmas Eve. (Always a challenge to find someone who wants to leave their house and put on my costume and come to ours). But, he is a little wacky. He speaks with a strong Swedish accent, and given some of the Santas I've recruited over the years that in itself can be hilarious. But, he also gives unusual presents--I warn Santa to be ready for people to open ANYTHING.

We also get presents from lots of famous people. Elvis Presley, Lec Walensa, Dennis Rodman, Shaquille O'Neil and Mike Ditka each sent presents to somebody in our family last year. If you see something funny, feel free to wrap it up and blame it on somebody else

 

[ducklite]

We always order pizza on Christmas Eve. It was a tradition started by my parents when I was an infant when mom wanted a break from cooking for the night one year, so my dad ordered pizza. It became a family tradition that we all still continue, even though we're all now grown with families of our own.

Anne

 

[GEM]

Every year we have a huge extended family gathering at my mom's house with all my aunts and uncles, cousins, counsin's kids, etc. About four years ago, someone in our family (one of my uncles, I think) bought someone else one of those crazy singing fish that mounts on the wall like a fishing trophy. The next year, that guy wrapped it back up and gifted it to someone else. Well the tradition has continued every year, and we all wait each year with great anticipation to see who will get the fish. Rumour has it that Paul may be the recipient this year, since he was wild about the thing last year. The horrible thing is that whoever gets the hideous creature is bound by family tradition to display it in a prominent place in their home for the full year they have ownership!

 

[NMAmy]

Santa Claus actually comes to our house on Christmas Eve. (Always a challenge to find someone who wants to leave their house and put on my costume and come to ours). But, he is a little wacky. He speaks with a strong Swedish accent, and given some of the Santas I've recruited over the years that in itself can be hilarious. But, he also gives unusual presents--I warn Santa to be ready for people to open ANYTHING.

We also get presents from lots of famous people. Elvis Presley, Lec Walensa, Dennis Rodman, Shaquille O'Neil and Mike Ditka each sent presents to somebody in our family last year. If you see something funny, feel free to wrap it up and blame it on somebody else

That's hysterical! I may incorporate the gifts from famous people next year. What kind of gifts are we talking about here?

 

[mickeyfan2]

We always wrap a silly gift and leave it in cousin's family pile for him to open. Last year he got a 3" doll from the dollar store. It is fun to see the puzzled look on his face. He does not know that they are from us.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I am not sure how the underwear tradition started; back when my parents were alive they would give (among many many presents) underwear.

Somewhere along the line we started humming the "can-can" song when someone got underwear. Now it is mandatory that everyone gets underwear, and I, as the purchaser of said underwear always try to disguise the gift contents so the opener is suprised by the underwear. When the underwear is opened everyone breaks into humming the "can'can" song and the person who receives it usually waves it around in the air. Weird I know!!

As the older kids have brought their future spouses to the family celebration we have had to explain our tradition so that no one freaks out at getting underwear. This year my DS 19 will have his GF of over a year join us for opening gifts. We've decided that she has to wait until next year to be eligible for getting underwear at Christmas.

 

[NMAmy]

This year my DS 19 will have his GF of over a year join us for opening gifts. We've decided that she has to wait until next year to be eligible for getting underwear at Christmas.

Well, obviously. I mean, you just don't AUTOMATICALLY qualify to get Christmas underwear, you have to EARN it. That's so funny! It sounds like you have a great time.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I am not sure how the underwear tradition started; back when my parents were alive they would give (among many many presents) underwear.

Somewhere along the line we started humming the "can-can" song when someone got underwear. Now it is mandatory that everyone gets underwear, and I, as the purchaser of said underwear always try to disguise the gift contents so the opener is suprised by the underwear. When the underwear is opened everyone breaks into humming the "can'can" song and the person who receives it usually waves it around in the air. Weird I know!!

As the older kids have brought their future spouses to the family celebration we have had to explain our tradition so that no one freaks out at getting underwear. This year my DS 19 will have his GF of over a year join us for opening gifts. We've decided that she has to wait until next year to be eligible for getting underwear at Christmas.

Getting underwear for Christmas is actually normal in my house. My mom figures everyone needs it so it's a great gift. My mom also figured a few years ago that everyone needed condoms for Christmas. I love her dearly, but she is a strange woman.

On Christmas Eve night one of my parents reads Twas The Night Before Christmas to everyone. It is only strange because me and my brother are 22 and 19 respectively. We'll see how well that goes this year since my brother decided our family is lame. He has made it a rule to never stay home longer than 20 min anymore. We used to leave out milk and cookies but because both of my parents are diabetic that one stopped rather quickly.

 

[mickeyboat]

You guys are too funny!

I love the idea of getting gifts from famous people. I may have to do that next year. When I was in high school I got a gift from "O.R.S.C". It was a car stereo from the "old, rusty, school car."

On Christmas Eve DH and I stay up late loading up the tree and putting toys together. There is usually some wine involved, which leads to some fun times for just the two of us. One year we thought it would be funny to make sleigh and reindeer tracks on the front lawn, but we didn't want our footprints to show up in the snow. So we tied a troll doll to the handle of a broom for footprints, and leaned out over the porch railing. I don't think I ever laughed so hard!

Denae

 

[mcnuss]

DD and I always go to the movies on Christmas Eve. It's my little way of feeling smug that I am done with my shopping and DH is at the mall.

We wrap ALL of gifts on Christmas Eve and we watch the Christmas Story movie over and over till we're done. That is my penance for having earlier been smug.

We also honor my family background by serving bagels and lox for Christmas brunch.

 

[NMAmy]

Getting underwear for Christmas is actually normal in my house. My mom figures everyone needs it so it's a great gift. My mom also figured a few years ago that everyone needed condoms for Christmas. I love her dearly, but she is a strange woman.

On Christmas Eve night one of my parents reads Twas The Night Before Christmas to everyone. It is only strange because me and my brother are 22 and 19 respectively. We'll see how well that goes this year since my brother decided our family is lame. He has made it a rule to never stay home longer than 20 min anymore. We used to leave out milk and cookies but because both of my parents are diabetic that one stopped rather quickly.

I love the condoms for Christmas!

We still read Twas the Night Before Christmas and also the Grinch on Christmas Eve. My sister read it to her kids until they had kids of their own--now she reads them to her grandkids.

My dad used to have us leave a beer & appetizers for Santa when we were little. He told us that Santa got tired of helping the elves put all those toys together. (My dad REALLY hated putting toys and bikes, etc. together!)

 

[swanmom]

When we were kids, we always begged and pleaded to be allowed to open at least one gift on Christmas Eve. No matter how much my mom tried to convince us that it was better to wait, we continued to drive her crazy. Finally, one year, she outsmarted us. She told us we could open one present on Christmas Eve but that it had to be one that she picked out. Of course, it was better than no gift opening at all so we agreed. She handed out a package to each of us, we tore open the wrapping paper and.........................each one had a new pair of pajamas! She sat in her chair, gloating, saying "At least this year you'll look decent for your holiday pictures!" So, every year now, my brothers and I give our kids on package on Christmas Eve. Everyone knows it's pajamas but no one cares because we have the best-looking Christmas morning pictures in town!

 

[mom2rb]

I had to open the pj present every Christmas Eve too. It was always from my Nanny and she always had pictures of her grandkids looking great on Christmas morning.


We just stared a new one last year. On Christmas Eve my Dad, Step-mom, and brothers come over. No body wants to have a traditional meal. So now we have sushi and dumplings for the appetizers, grilled salmon and shrimp fettuccine for the main course, and Godiva cheesecake for dessert. Then on Christmas day we can go to MIL's house and enjoy a turkey dinner.