Okay, who wants to share their Christmas 2013? Brian already did and here's my part:
On the afternoon of Dec 24th we always go to church. We're not religious, but go every year on Christmas Eve. The tradition started when the kids were small and still believed in the Christkind (Christ Child). We needed them out of the house and church was the only available thing on Christmas Eve.
So the kiddies and I went to church and that time window gave Jens the opportunity to put the gifts under the tree secretly, lock the living room and cook dinner.
Meanwhile it has become a nice tradition, which I really appreciate. It gives you time to calm down, let everyday stuff behind you and fall into Christmas mode. We sing well-known carols, the children play out the nativity scenes, everything is very festive and we meet lots of people to wish them a Merry Christmas. Additionally it's also a time to reflect about the meaning of Christmas and be thankful.
That's why we still go to church, even though the children are old enough to know where the presents come from.
After church we mostly play one or two short games until dinner is ready. Then dinner, coffee, dessert and yes, a cigarette break for us parents. Then comes the time when hubby has to "go to the bathroom". Just at that moment, the Christmas Bell rings, which is the Christ Child's signal that he is just leaving the house.
Then it's gift-giving time and then we play and talk until late. After the youngest is finally in bed, the two older kids and we watch a movie. The last years it always was Die Hard (yes, on Christmas
). This year, we opted for the Lethal Weapon movies. Can't help it, we all love silly action paired with humor.
Since we celebrate Christmas for full three days, tonight we'll watch the second part in the series, after a long day at the in-laws. Tomorrow we'll visit my family.
I love Christmas. I love seeing all our extended families: siblings, cousins, great-cousins, aunts, including all their families, boyfriends, dogs and whatnot. It's always loud, overcrowded, chaotic and very, very happy.
What did you do for Christmas this year?
