See if this sounds familiar to you...

It's Christmas morning, the day we remember and celebrate our dear Saviour's birth.  The alarm blares out an hour before any of the roosters roosting in the stable with the holy Babe would have dared to crow.  You drag yourself out of bed and after starting the coffee-maker, setting out food to ready for all the different stops you will make today, you wake up each family member.  Are you greeted this important day with, "Merry Christmas, Dear!"?  Or, "Merry Christmas, Mommy!"?  OR do the noises emanating from your family sound more like something that a bear family roused too early from hibernation would sound like?  Makes you wonder if you should have skipped that beautiful candle-light Christmas Eve service last night.

But does it stop there?  Oh, no.  Once everyone is up and running, the kids dive down the stairs, rip open their presents, quick "thank you's" are passed around, and breakfast is eaten half-way between the kitchen and the car as we all pile in, stowing presents for extended family members (that probably won't be appreciated) and a collection of casserole dishes as we go.

And thus begins the long tour of various family members' homes.  What a holiday.

This scenario became far too familiar at our house.  Each Christmas morning I would become depressed.  Not because of the rush, rush of getting everyone dressed, fed and packages ready; but because I would remember my childhood Christmas memories.  We had plenty of time to open and enjoy our presents, play with our new toys, put things together, try on our new oufits, to laugh and...to make memories!

When our oldest was around five years old, my husband and I made the decision that we really did want our children to have their own Christmas memories at their own home!  Since then, our family gets up on Christmas Eve morning and we make our own memories.  We take our time and open our gifts; we ooo and ahhh and pass around our "thank you's" and hugs and kisses.  My husband and I can relax and sip our coffee and watch the girls enjoy their presents while carols play in the background to remind us of our greatest Gift:  Emmanuel, God with us.

Have any of you modified your Christmas schedule to make your own family memories?  Tell us about them!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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Posted by momofmhasr

I never could understand why we packed a bag, drove all around the province and visited family who really didn't care. All of this with three little babies. Spent the night in someones den with a playpen and blankets on the floor! We changed at the five year mark too! (must be the time) We told all of our family that we would be staying home with the children and they were all welcome at our house aanytime! It has worked out great!

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Posted by CandyFoote

Years ago, when our older kids were young, we used to go to my parents house on Christmas.
It used to be very frustrating to have the kids open their gifts then leave them quickly and run out the door.
I love being at home anyway, but Christmas is a great time to be at home!

Candy

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Posted by momto4beauties

Yes, we too used to go to my parents' house, my sis's house, my own grandmother's house and so on. It doesn't happen now. We decided (about three years ago) that we are staying put on Christmas. It totally ruins the day to run around. Plus, it just makes everyone, including the kids, cranky. Sooo....we have had our own parents come over (if they want to) and open presents with our girls. If they don't make it Christmas day, it usually happens the following day. Afterall, they no longer have kids in the house and is much easier for them to load up than it is for us! Plus, we already have a Christmas meal made that they can join in on if they want to instead of packing food around as well! It makes for a much happier holiday.

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Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

We decided a long time ago that we were not traveling all over for Christmas. Now, we are still deciding what traditions we want to carry on with our children.
Thank you for the wonderful comments on my hwtb posts!
blessings!
-J

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Posted by JenIG

we used to run around like mad on Christmas day... and then finally things changed and we started staying home -- and now that we moved to TN we have *no* plans what-so-ever for either Christmas Eve or Christmas. it will be nice. coie is actually trying to plan a Christmas dinner on Christmas afternoon and invite people from her work who have no where to go. i think that would be really special. Happy Christmas! jen

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Posted by mcblog

Your blog is very encouraging for me as well as the comments that have been left for you. Last year was the first year we lived near family, and we had a miserable Christmas. This year we told both sides that we are staying home so that our kids can enjoy Christmas, and they are welcome to stop by and even to have Christmas dinner with us if they'd like to. One side of the family is not so happy with this plan, and we're not sure that we can please them, but our kids, who are 3 and 6 are thrilled to know that they'll actually get to play with their new toys on Christmas this year! From someone who truly needed a little encouragement on this subject, I am truly thankful for your post and to all those who have commented as well.

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