christmas day

borrowed from blackbird

My typical Christmas morning - the parents wake up and turn on the tree lights, light some candles, turn on the Christmas music - usually it is our medieval carols cd, we sit in the quiet and enjoy the time together - then we wake the younger generation by singing O Come all ye Faithful. They wake and we open our stockings - and then quickly dress for Liturgy. After church we come home and break the fast and open gifts.

The best thing about Christmas - being home with my family - experiencing the comfort of the small traditions we have created.

The worst thing - the way the date just suddenly appears... and the battle to not stress about what is not done.

My gift giving philosophy - we give gifts - we are generous with our children as we don't buy them alot of extras during the year - we tend to focus on the Feasts

Shopping destinations - combination of buying local - and the internet for books

Budget - there is a budget - we try to stick to it - we are on track so far

Receiving gifts - nice to receive but I get way more delight from the giving. I love finding something that you know is just right... each year I try and find an ornament that is somehow connected to the year just lived... ie - we are looking for a football themed one for our son.

Decorations - we have simplified this year. we have more flowers - our house lights and tree lights are white - and our ornaments are from years past. we use the same ones over and over. I collect our Christmas cards in a basket.

Theme - we don't change the theme - we love the familiar -

The tree - is a noble fir. It is tall - maybe 9 feet - and droopy branches with lots of open space for ornaments to hang free and catch the light.

My decorating wish- I wish I could get up earlier to enjoy the tree and the quiet in the am - but I am finding it hard to get up at 5.45am.

The menu-after liturgy we come home to meat and cheese - we all choose our favourites - smoked gouda, jarlsburg, dill havarti, hungarian salami, rosemary ham, garlic roast beef...

dinner will be prime rib with yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, carrots in cheese sauce, maybe a salad... we are not real big dessert people....I am sure there will be some chocolate somewhere

The vibe - a quiet time to relax and hang with the family - punctuated by lots of church with friends

Your best time-saver tips - recognize when enough is enough- write lists- make a decision the first time.

The wow factor - seeing true delight in the other

Preparing for guests - clean bathrooms - laundry done

On the day after Christmas I'll be - off kitchen duty. everyone knows that the day after christmas - we make breakfast together - bacon, eggs, pancakes and then it is a day of leftovers and I do not prepare any food. I read my magazines, books, drink coffee and usually stay in my pyjamas...