Christmas Tradition
My family has a lot of family traditions. Over the years we've refined the whole process down to a predictable process. Even with the addition of several new members, things still pretty much stayed the same. This year was extra fun with two new babies that had never met.
One tradition that has lasted a few generations of the Bodeutsch clan is the order in which we open presents. After passing out each gift to the recipient, we each open one present at a time going from youngest to oldest. The process was quite drawn out this year since there was 13 of us, some with 15+ presents!
As I've grown up and experienced a few other traditions I've realized that not everyone does it this way, in fact, I'm yet to find anyone who does do it this way. So since I can never find that perfect place in the conversation to ask people what they do, I figured I'd ask here. So what do you do? Do you have a mad free-for-all? Do you have a methodical method? Do you shun presents and just shower each other with compliments? I'm dying to know...
One tradition that has lasted a few generations of the Bodeutsch clan is the order in which we open presents. After passing out each gift to the recipient, we each open one present at a time going from youngest to oldest. The process was quite drawn out this year since there was 13 of us, some with 15+ presents!
As I've grown up and experienced a few other traditions I've realized that not everyone does it this way, in fact, I'm yet to find anyone who does do it this way. So since I can never find that perfect place in the conversation to ask people what they do, I figured I'd ask here. So what do you do? Do you have a mad free-for-all? Do you have a methodical method? Do you shun presents and just shower each other with compliments? I'm dying to know...
wifee on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
we dont pass them all out at the beginning. someone who is designated against their will (= goes and gets people presents. and tries to get everyone one, but in no particular order. we all wait till they open it before the next person goes.
the only tradition we really had was opening stockings first. we usually talked our parents in to opening them on christmas eve.
Jerika on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
Well, we usually watch Lillian open all her presents first. Then me and jason open ours one at a time. Oh and when we open stockins we just go for it.
Travis on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
It's our family tradition that Megan gets the most presents.
Emily on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
My family does it the same as Gwen's. We do free-for-all with our stockings and then someone gives each person a present from under the tree and then we go in a circle and each person opens one. It's really nice and personal.
Megan on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
I think that tradition Travis talked about is a pretty good one.
Tre on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
We usually raid the stockings, then have breakfast. For the past few years, I've made biscuits and gravy. Then someone plays 'Santa' and passes out all the presents. Then it's a free-for-all of opening and shouting 'thanks!' across the room.
Molly on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
My family always forgets about stockings.. and for gifts we always let my dad have the first gift (cause he's the head of household ya know?) and then he chooses a gift for someone else and then that person chooses one for someone else.. etc. So, it's one at a time.. no rush and each gift is appreciated.. I love the way we do it!
Micah and I have added a couple things. On Christmas eve we each write down something from the past year that we are thankful for and put it in this little box we keep under the tree. In the morning we always start by reading Luke 2 and praying to thank God for the gift of Christ incarnate. Then we read all the notes of thanks from the box (we have 4 years worth so far :) Then we open presents.
It is a blessing!
nessie pants on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
Well, I don't believe we have ever gotten stocking stuffers ...except maybe when we were too little to remember...sad, huh? ...but we usually do it the same as you...one present at a time so everyone can see what everyone gets and everyone is sure to get a big thank you that way! :-)
Dr. Cal on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
There is only one way to open presents--The Bodeutsch way!!!
Actually I was sick on Christmas so we started a new tradition. Wait until Christmas night and then quick open our presents before I upchuck.
Ian on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
At the Smith household tradition has long held that on Christmas eve we are allowed to open one present... in the past we would try to find out what the best present was months before hand with the intention of opening it on Christmas even and getting that extra couple hours of joy with it.
As for Christmas morning, each of the boys, KJ, Sean and I would arrive at different times and we could scout out our stockings but not touch presents. Then after our parents had made coffee and seated themselves in the living room, and only then, could present opening commence.
In order to avoid anarchy, an unwritten rule was established that one could not open a present until everyone else had opened at least one present, and so we went in turns, opening presents and showing them to the family... usually with me as the runner getting new presents for everyone to open.
In recent years there has been generally less presents than there have been in the past (since we've graduated from action figures to electronics, and since our relatives aren't so generous to a bunch of guys in their mid 20's) so we've abolished the new years eve tradition and are generally more paced about the opening of our gifts, in order to savor the experience for as long as possible.
As it is, a new tradition has developed among our family, in that both KJ and Sean strongly wish that they had been born and raised in Chicago... so their gifts usually consist of items associated with Chicago such as sports jerseys, coats and caps. Generally I recieve art supplies, cook books and warm socks.
Unfortunately my parent's aren't Christians, so it's a pretty secular holiday at home... but for me it's all about Jesus; who gave the greatest gift of all on the cross.
rainbow on Dec 29, 2006 4:00pm
my family- absolute chaos
jeff's family- one at a time... whoever has a present...
he thinks my family is all savages, i think his is boring.