It involves food, of course, but it's mostly a special tradition just because it is ours.
During our first Christmas as a married couple, like most, we wanted to have our own gift exchange prior to traveling to see family. We decided also to include a fancy meal and use our china which at this point would have only been about 6 months old. We set up a card table in living area of apartment #412 and commenced to have ourselves quite a nice dinner prior to opening presents.
This is something that just 'stuck' and we've been doing it every year since.
This year we had grilled steak and grilled shrimp kabobs as the main dish. Sides included sweet potato casserole, bread, salad and a wonderful dessert. Everything turned out about as perfect as we could have hoped.
We had a BEEEYOOOTIFUL fire (are you starting to think I'm a pyromaniac) to help set the already wonderful mood. Much to our children's chagrin, this is a 'dress up' dinner and it's such serious business we have graduated from our card table to actually moving the whole kitchen table into the living room.
As you can see, no details are spared and even the table is decorated quite nicely.
This is Katie's signal that she ate her last shrimp and is now ready for DESSERT!!
And doesn't desssert look tasty?! Your eyes are not deceiving you - it was EXCELLENT.
General mischief and merriment.
Not that you'd expect our kids to be going bonkers most of the evening already in anticipation of opening presents...but we prolong the agony even more by forcing pictures before any presents are opened.
The obligatory family photo...
More mischief and merriment...
Group silliness...
Group silliness...
Noah's subtle reaction to opening the Wii...
Katie tightly holding her Princess game for the Wii...
I'm so very serious when I say this is my favorite overall day of every year. It's such a special time for our family and, since we go 'all out', it really makes a great memory. If nothing else, it'll give our kids something to argue about with their future spouses as they debate the RIGHT way to do Christmas dinner.
3 comments:
I love that family pic! It is soo good! And very neat tradition, i love it!
I love the pics! Great traditions! Wasn't the camera worth it? =)
We used to do the special dinner on Christmas eve when it was just our family growing up as well. It's nice and it does set it apart and make the mood that much more special. (We had kabobs one year as well)
Post a Comment