Picture it: We wake up and immediately tiptoe underneath the Christmas tree with our families to unbox the newest iPhone 6 or the latest Taylor Swift album or the Dolce Gabbana cologne we asked for twelve months ago.
It happens every year on December 25th; most of us have been doing this for the past decades.
We spend about an hour or so exchanging gifts and hugs and smiles in a circle: a typical Christmas tradition, and of course, we bake the morning away with gingerbread cookies and warm eggnog.
Everyone drinks hot cocoa on Christmas day. This is the ideal tradition, especially if it’s done while watching the 25 Days of Christmas countdown on ABC Family. On Christmas, some families choose to stay at home in their pajamas watching Christmas movies like The Grinch, Home Alone, and Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish.
By Carolina Espinal
Another tradition is going to Santa’s Enchanted Forest—a more lively and populated place with Christmas lights, ornaments, and our very own Santa.
Going out for a walk is also a great alternative to staying in; Main Street and Bayside turn into the North Pole with stunning displays and lighting for Christmas.
A lot of families dedicate Christmas to cooking, although most of the food is prepared days prior. The finishing touches on the roasted chicken, pork, and ribs are added late at night and warmed to eat at the feast later.
Of course, parents love to interact with their children on Christmas day, so tradition has it that they can do this by baking Christmas cutout cookies, holiday popcorn, and pretzels with them. Parents’ little bakers have now been promoted to Santa’s little helpers 2.0.
With the arrival of Christmas, it’s always a good idea to make any last minute decorations and write letters to your loved ones—including those who live far away. If your family is home for the holidays, then Christmas caroling is a must to have a great time. Skim through the top ten holiday songs from iTunes, turn your speakers on, and carol to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
Let’s not forget that closer to the night, the party truly commences. A lot of us get dolled up with the fanciest, most elegant holiday clothing for the start of the dinner celebration. We arrive unintentionally but somehow voluntarily color-coated with all things red and green and blue to the point that we’re almost a replica of the Christmas tree.
But not all of us stay at home gaining a few pounds from cookies and pastries and filet mignon or end up watch The Polar Express. Instead, another popular tradition for many is gathering food and toys to give to the less fortunate or those who don’t have a family to celebrate Christmas with—what better Christmas tradition than giving?
Long will live these Christmas traditions; the spirit of the holiday will always connect us.
