Every family has its own Christmas traditions, often passed down through generations. Growing up, our family had certain traditions that were non-negotiable. We had an old nativity set that we used year after year, steak on Christmas Eve, an elf ornament on the tree and a strict rule about waiting until after lunch to open presents. Our mum’s Christmas lunches were always delicious but sometimes late so we’d often be unwrapping presents as late as 4.30 or 5pm on Christmas Day.
Some traditions persist alongside new ones, but the unpopular late present opening has long since been scrapped.
When my parents passed away, I inherited the nativity set, which holds sentimental value and reminds me of my childhood. It has a special place on our window sill. We also used to have a Christmas elf that decorated the tree. It’s either packed away now or perhaps at my sister’s. I need to find it.
My parents originally owned the nativity figures but sadly the current stable wasn’t the original. It was bought to replace the one my dad made.
My wife and I bought a clay nativity piece on our first holiday in Portugal in 2006. We found it in a gift shop near a beach, where there were loads of handmade items on sale. It’s lasted pretty well but unfortunately has a bit of damage and the head needs a bit of glue.
My daughter and I’ve been building a gingerbread house for the last five or six years. We’ve had mixed results but we always photograph it and then display it.
A new tradition we’ve adopted in recent years is a Christmas Eve box for the whole family. The contents have varied but we always use a wooden box and sign it each year. This will be our fourth year doing it. I try to change the theme slightly and this year a large part of the contents will be some box games.
Christmas Eve is usually organised by me and I cook a steak dinner with starters and pudding.
Christmas Day begins with stockings and then presents. We always have turkey for lunch and this year we’ll be visiting my wife’s family.
We always make an effort to catch up with my sister and her family on Boxing Day. We’ll put on a buffet and they’ll join us. Illness has slightly disrupted this in recent years but hopefully things will be better this year.
I’m not a big fan of New Year’s celebrations so the last Christmas tradition is usually a show or panto. Unfortunately, I’ve been unlucky in recent years and have had to cancel due to illness.
I’m most looking forward to a break and spending time with my family.
What traditions do you always keep up with every year? Happy Christmas!
