Christmas Eve

We will be changing our Christmas Eve routine this year. My daughter is coming from Australia and part of her tradition is to have a Christmas meal with friends and family on Christmas Eve. The reason is simple, it is very hot on Christmas day where she lives and so it is easier to cook a big meal in the evening. So, she asked us to have our big family meal on Christmas Eve and we agreed.

When I was younger Christmas Eve was a day and evening for anticipating Santa and for mom and dad to visit with friends or have friends over. When we married, Christmas Eve was a time for visiting with friends, and family. When our children were young it was a time for last-minute ornaments on the tree, getting the children to bed and finally wrapping presents.

Christmas Eve is still a time when families gather, eat good food, and wait for Santa. It’s a yearly rerun of heartwarming memories and festive shenanigans. For those of us over 65, it brings back or creates more cherished memories even more than Christmas presents!

The holidays have a way of bringing families together. Friends and family gather ‘round on Christmas Eve. The laughter, the love, and oh yes, the occasional tiff are all part of the grand tapestry that makes this evening unforgettable.

Now, during the holidays, we all become a bit more willing to put our differences on hold and embrace the spirit of togetherness. We declare a truce during the holidays and are all ready to enjoy the spirit of togetherness. Those old grudges can take a back seat for a while, and we get to focus on the good stuff–joy, love, and being together with the people we hold dear.

Reconnecting with friends during the holiday season is a gift. It’s like rediscovering a long-lost treasure chest of memories and inside jokes. And boy, do those memories make for some embarrassing stories and nostalgic “remember when” moments? You’ll be laughing so hard that your stomach will ache–worth it!

Spending quality time with friends on Christmas Eve is like wrapping your soul in a cozy blanket. It’s heartwarming, comforting, and it melts away any feelings of loneliness. Plus, nothing beats reminiscing about the good old days while sipping on some hot rum or hot cocoa.

So, make the most of this wonderful time of year. Reach out to your friends, plan a get-together, and let the merry memories flow. Embrace the genuine gifts of the season–your friends! Share stories, create recent memories, and strengthen those bonds like never before. 

Remember, it’s not about the number of hours spent together; it’s about the quality of those hours. So, go ahead, cherish every moment with your loved ones, and let the laughter and love fill the air! We will be doing this as it is the first time in about 5 years that our whole family will be together for the holiday as we enjoy our new tradition of Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.