What to you do in the holiday season? Even if you are not religious do you have any traditions that you follow?

In my family we always get to together on xmas eve at someone’s house (it’s usually rotated between the members that have the space to host). There is always gammon, rabanadas (Portuguese french toast - I know random right? but having "breakfast food" as a snack is nice. The cinnamon is very festive) and chocolate mousse along with other yummy mains and deserts.

Last year we started a new tradition of secret santa where we each get only one family member to give a gift to. The gift must have a clue with it so that the person can guess what the gift is and who it is from. At about +-10pm/11pm “Santa” (usually my uncle) hands out the gifts to each person and they get to guess. Although it’s different from our old tradition where we would give each person a gift it is a lot more thoughtful and fun!

Xmas day is usually more chill and has more of public holiday vibe then a special family day vibe. It's more like a time to recover then to be festive

So what traditions do you follow in the holiday season?

None, it's always the usual go to the families house for a nice meal, we usually stay the night and open presents in the morning and have Christmas lunch. No matter where I am I make sure that there is always Roast Potatoes, Roast Beef and Turkey, it isn't Christmas without those.

Now that me and Snow have our own child we will be starting our own traditions. We going to get him a snow globe every year and have a collection built up. Every year we will get 1 special decoration for him to put on the tree. Christmas stocking filled with goodies and then the usual stuff.

With us it has been fairly standard. Always lunch with my folks and when they were alive, the maternal grandparents and for the last few years while we were still dating/engaged my now wife. Now that I am married we've included my in-laws. The big difference now is, is that instead of lunch at my folks' place it is now at our place.

Pretty much what DP said. My side of the family is very much into Christmas, so we have a meal on Xmas eve, stay over there and all wake up together early on Xmas morning. Xmas lunch is a big affair as well, my whole family loves to cook so we all get involved. We have crackers at the table and all wear those silly paper hats. Lunch is gammon, turkey, sometimes roast beef, and then all the trimmings. We all love giving gifts so we all go a little nuts. It's a lot of fun, and always lovely to be with family which is the most important part.

Nothing, no traditions or anything.

@Snow and DP
That snow globe idea sounds like it will be a great tradition! As well as adding a decoration each year. My cousins did a similar thing. They would also make their own decorations and the tree had a sort of family history/story on it

I'm from a family of Jews and Catholics. Even if there was family gatherings somewhere. I wouldn't be invited. Because I'm an Atheist. My mum is okay with it. But the rest of the family do not take kindly to my religious beliefs. Neither side do

Corrosive said ...

@Snow and DP
That snow globe idea sounds like it will be a great tradition! As well as adding a decoration each year. My cousins did a similar thing. They would also make their own decorations and the tree had a sort of family history/story on it

Love it! Ya our tree is like that... I have all the decorations that I grew up with in my house now and my son has my Christmas stocking (It's red with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto all over it lol)

@IkariX All my family is religious except DP and I. We all respect each other though. We just see it more as time with each other and that is what is most important.

Sad to hear about your family, I know there are lots out there that do the same thing and it's not cool at all.

Least I'll be alone at home over Christmas while the family are together. Means more time for gaming. Less family yapping.

Lol well I guess if it's not important to you then it's a win-win for everyone

Definitely a win for me

1.) Meet at family members house!
2.) Greet everyone!
3.) Start drinking!
4.) Gather Kids and get the all excited to open pressies!
5.) Carry on Drinking!
7.) Open Pressies!
8.) Eat whatever was made!
9.) Carry on Drinking!
10.) Say goodbye to everyone!
11.) Have one last drink!
12.) Wake up the next day and hate Xmas day!

Something tells me you like to have a bit of a Christmas drink Morschee?

Talking about drink, does anyone have eggnog?

Another Xmas favourite:


Having Boney M playing as background music for at least part of the evening is still a tradition for all in my family, even though we are split pretty evenly with being religious and not (like myself).

Btw I know how cheesy it is, but that is why we do it

@ Snow - Xmas is the only day in the year where we can get 90% of our family in one spot...trust me, that's an achievement on its own What totally amazes me is, when we are all together, we have such a great time and consume copious amounts of alcohol lol! with no arguments or anything, yet, we cannot get this right any other time of the year, not even when there's a funeral no jokes!

So yeah...Xmas day is one big piss up for us

Morschee said ...

@ Snow - Xmas is the only day in the year where we can get 90% of our family in one spot...trust me, that's an achievement on its own What totally amazes me is, when we are all together, we have such a great time and consume copious amounts of alcohol lol! with no arguments or anything, yet, we cannot get this right any other time of the year, not even when there's a funeral no jokes!

So yeah...Xmas day is one big piss up for us

Wow Christmas can get your family together, our whole extended family never get together unless it's someone's birthday or a once in a lifetime reunion

We don't have many traditions that are very well festive, the presents are typically eft receipts and we trade granny duty