Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Christmas Eve After Dinner

We tidied up dinner, and cozied up in front of the fire to read What God Wants for Christmas! The little ladies sang Away In A Manger and recited a verse they have been learning. They put on their ballet outfits and danced all around and my sister signed to Breath of Heaven.

Next up, Christmas jammies! We opened the pj's and got changed, I surprised all the mommies with matching pants and we opened new books to read together that night!

Growing up, my sister and I were known for planning little "programs" for Christmas Eve. It was fun to watch my ladies wanting to begin this now as well by doing a song, verse and lots of dancing about! We grew up going to church on Christmas Eve, but being up in the mountains this year - we did not go. However, we had a wonderful and special time together!!


Aside from a traditional meal, what are your Christmas Eve family traditions?

15 comments:

Katy said...

I love seeing your Christmas Eve Evening! What a lovely time! ;) Along with getting together with family....we go to Christmas Eve Service at our church...which I love! ;)

I love that you made pants for all the mommies! Too cute! And i love all the kids' jammies! They are fantastic! Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday Monica! :)

Christi said...

When I was growing up, we celebrated Christmas Eve with my mother's (large - I have 20 first cousins) family. We always sang carols, had a Christmas program by the children, and read the Christmas Story in Luke. Then, for some reason, we had a pinata which was great fun for the littles!

Now, my inlaws come down, and we don't do anything with them besides eat & open gifts. After they leave, we read the Christmas Story to the boys & put them to bed.

Anonymous said...

Awe! I love how the jammies look. I was really happy with how mine turned out. I especially love the pants. I might redo the bow inside with a button and make one tie a loop, less bulk. Did you make the mommies pants? Our traditions are gradually building each year. We have started the jammies on Christmas eve and this year we opened their ornaments and hung them on the tree. I ordered a book for next year to be read on Christmas Eve.

Anonymous said...

We open christmas jammies and have a special dinner. Along with making sugar cookies for Santa. We have started going to my brother in laws home in recent years to share in our special dinner. This year we also did our cookie making there with our cousins. After coming home and getting in our new jammies. We took a moment to pray together and talk as a family about Christmas & Christ.

Bridgett said...

sounds so sweet! I enjoy hearing special holiday memories. Our Christmas Eve we put hot chocolate in sippy cups and travel cups to drive around and look @ the lights. Then we come home and watch a Christmas Movie. This year I made the boys matching jammie pants that they received b4 the movie.

Mom2Drew said...

Oh, what a special time for you guys! I love the matching jammies and think those traditons are so important to hold on to. Thank you for sharing some of your special moments with us.

BTW...I posted just a few pics for you on my blog, come see:)

Amy said...

I love all the matching pajamas- I know that must have been a lot of work, but I am sure it was worth it. Everything looks so lovely!

Melody said...

I loved your Christmas jammies. Although they don't match we also open Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve.

That is our main family tradition because we have so many Christmas's to attend where we are for the evening may vary from year to year.

gail said...

growing up, Christmas eve was my dad's b-day so we had a special b-day dinner and cake for him alone. we did go to christmas eve service and our family has continued that. this year we also drove around in the falling snow looking at lights on houses which was fun.

my dad has been gone 19 years now, but i always remember how special my mom made his day.

great pics (as usual) love those jammies, both young and old(er). hee hee

Stella said...

I love the idea of creating new traditions for the holidays! I have been married for almost 4 years and this is the first Christmas we have spend at our home instead of visiting our families. We had so much fun creating new traditions, of course some of our inspirations came from your blog :)

Georgia Girl said...

Being a preacher's kid we also went to church Christmas Eve...but my church does not have a service anymore...we are in the process of lookng for a minister now...this year well the last few years we go and take Lexi to see this wonderful house where they have it all lit up and Santa is there. This is when she actually sees Santa during the holidays. They show all aspects of Christmas through there lighting and have a beautiful mangar scene in lights which is so awesome to see.

Love the jammies you made for the mommies...I think next year since mine is still young I will do the three gifts like the wisemen did...I read this on someones blog and I liked this idea...don't like everything to be center around getting things...more on the reason for the season.

Loved hearing about your families traditions!

Elise said...

What a great night it seems y'all had!! We do Christmas Eve pj's. And we try to make it to the church's Christmas Eve service. Love the mommie's pants, too!! So cute and fun!!
Elise

Anonymous said...

I thought I would be sad to miss Christmas Eve services, but we had such a special evening together that I wouldn't trade it for anything! Thanks for sharing -- love you, Mom

Anonymous said...

Everybody gets to open a book. (Hopefully, the book will put everyone right to sleep!!)

Deanna said...

I love the jammies!

I was commenting and after I typed a novel the the screen went blank. Oh, well, what I did want to say was that I have an award waiting for you so hop on over to my blog when you get chance. Hopefully this comment will post. I might be having some connection problems.

Hugs,
Deanna :)