I so liked all the different ways and days to celebrate Christmas that our family instituted the 12 days of Christmas. Christmas Eve we fast until after the church service and then do a big feast, more or less a traditional Russian kind of thing. (We're not Russian at all but it was cool baking those goodies). Then we all get to open one gift. Christmas day morning, (25th), we can have whatever is in our stockings and whatever gifts, (unwrapped items), that Santa Claus has left along side of our stockings. Later that day extended family visits and there is one more round of presents. We do this until January 5th, Epiphany, when supposedly the Wise Men came. Any presents left, and there always are presents left, are opened then with another family gathering. Of course, New Year's Eve is a celebration too, with kids usually at one members house with adults who are not partying and the rest go out and have their fun. By the time we're through we really don't want to see each other for at least a week! lol The tree stays up until Epiphany but comes down that night with all the family helping or the next day at the latest. It all sounds horribly expensive but the gifts range in price from a few cents to several dollars. Forinstance, one teenager gave a gift to her auntie of a book of coupons she could redeem with the teen for free babysitting, and one child requested a pack of lolllipops he didn't have to share. You know how sometimes you open a lovely package and it turns out to be socks or underwear? This makes the sock/underwear package fun. Everyone groans and giggles and hopes their socks and underwear are NOT under the tree. lol Plus, we all are musical in our family, so we spend a lot of time singing, dancing, playing games and of course, eating! (to see one family member who sings, go to YouTube and search for FanMom4Olivia and you'll see/hear my kid)
