I decided to get a jump on the usual Christmas Eve gift-wrapping pandemonium that generally ensues right around 10:30 pm and goes on into the wee hours every year. I would be tricky and wrap up everything the night BEFORE the night before Christmas, so I could be wide awake and chipper for the big festivities. The natural result of this was that I learned I am much, much too old for a 2 am bedtime, I was groggy and fuzzy-headed all Christmas Eve, and I still didn't get all the presents wrapped because I ran out of paper, and my extra stash was in Alexandra's room where she was sleeping. Doh!
But it was still a pleasant day. I kept thinking we should do something "traditional"; watch a classic Christmas movie, or sing carols all day, I am not really sure what. The kids, however, just wanted to play with Maddie and work on their own Christmas presents. Sophie finished hers in my room, hiding behind our bed, so in case anyone walked in, they couldn't see what she was doing, and she would still have time to tell them to leave. When she was finished, Sarah wrapped her presents for everyone in there. Nick and I had worked on his presents the past two days, and then I finished them up in the morning and we wrapped them as well. I had an idea for Noah to make for everyone, but simply ran out of time this year. I cut out a lot of stuff I usually do for Christmas, but I was still always playing catch up this year. Very strange.
Growing up, my mom always made a big fancy Christmas Eve dinner, that we ate on her special china. I have tried to keep up that tradition through the years, but it doesn't always work. The main reason is because we have now adopted the European custom of eating our main meal at lunchtime, so no one wants a big, heavy meal at dinner. Then again, I was busy with the kids all day, which was more important and rewarding than spending hours in the kitchen preparing and cooking a feast. So, in the end, we had chicken enchiladas for lunch and used our nice dishes and Christmas place mats. And for dinner we again used the fancy places, but just had the usual bread and cheese and veggies for dinner.
The kids were thrilled that I had bought special cheese, and that was all they cared about. I guess I should just be glad I got out of doing a lot of work, and stop trying to recreate my own childhood memories, huh?
But the one tradition we never skip, is the acting out of the original Christmas story. We were all excited to have an extra actor this year, as it made divvying up the parts easier. No one had to do double duty this time! My big plan was to film us for the special Christmas message I wanted to post here on my blog while we were doing the play. But the kids were having too much fun to settle down enough for a blog-worthy performance, and I didn't want to run the risk of getting frustrated and short-tempered with them, seeing as how it was Christmas Eve and all, so I just scratched it and decided we would still be celebrating Christmas 8 hours earlier than most of our family, I could just film something the next day. 🙂
The kids set out a plate of cookies and a giant mug of milk for Santa, and also made sure to blow out the candles that had been lit in the fireplace.
Even though I told them he send down special magic powder so as not to get burnt by any fires, they didn't want to risk it. They were finally all really good and asleep by about 10:30, I think. I don't stress too much about when they go to sleep on Christmas Eve, since I remember all too well how hard it was for me to fall asleep on that night. Heck, I still get all excited and the only reason I fall asleep quickly is because I have stayed up so late wrapping presents first! Now, remember my great plan of staying up super late the night before and getting almost all the wrapping done? Yeah, when I went to get the last few presents, I found another bag full of stuff. And then a bit later, I remembered another box of stuff. It was pure craziness. Ran out of paper again, only this time, there was nothing left in the house. Chris was squeezing stuff together, holding the paper shut while I put on 50 pieces of tape before it ripped apart again. We were taping on every last scrap, in crazy, mismatched patterns, just trying to cover up what the gifts were. It was hysterical. My favorite quote of the night, "Good grief, Woman! How much stuff did we buy them?" Not said in anger, by the way, just teasing me that I had gotten so carried away.
Of course, this is the first year that I did the bulk of the shopping as well. Usually, we make a list of what we want to get each child, then Chris goes off to ToysRUs and wherever else he needs to and buys it all. What he can't find in the store, he orders online. It has been really nice having him take over that responsibility, but for some reason this year, it didn't work out. Not really sure why. We still made the list as usual, discussing each purchase, weighing the pros and cons, but then I just ended up doing the shop instead. Perhaps because the kids are all older now , or still young enough to be clueless, so it was easier for me to get out and do it while they were at school. Next year, I may still be able to swing it since Alexandra will be in preschool at least one morning a week, but we will have to see. Oh, right, but my point was, that when Chris was in charge of the shopping he also always bought a little more than was on the list, because "it was so cute" "I knew they would just love it" and several other reasons. He is such a little softie when it comes to his kids. I love it!
At 2:30, the last of the wrapping was done and I crawled off to bed. Yes, I stayed up even later than the night before, making two nights of not enough sleep in a row. I am an old woman, I cannot
function without at least 8 hours of sleep a night. I was exhausted come Christmas morning. In fact, I was so tired, that my poor children, some of whom had been up since 6, some of whom had obediently stayed in bed until 7, had to wait until 8:30 to start opening presents. Yes, I tortured them and SLEPT IN that long. They tried to get me up earlier, but I refused. I just could not do it. But I think they forgave me when they finally got a peek at what was inside all those wrapped packages. 🙂
Hey Amy! I nominated you for a blog award over on mine.