Christmas Eve

While I was growing up my family always had a Christmas Eve party for the entire family. My mom’s side and dad’s side would visit together, making memories of my childhood filled with love, laughter and togetherness. I would get to see my cousins (some of which this was the only time I would see them), aunts, uncles and grandparents and everyone seemed to get along wonderfully. The party was eventually moved to my grandmom’s house (on my mom’s side) after my mom and dad split up. The tradition of a party on Christmas Eve still lived on until my grandmother went into the hospital and is currently in a nursing home.

Now that I have my own family, I asked Chris if he would mind having a Christmas Eve party at our home. I didn’t realize how much I missed the tradition until it was gone and thought what better way to start it up again with our newly formed family. Chris was happy not having to travel around the holidays and agreed. As we had celebrated with my dad, his wife and her kids last week, it would only be my mom, her husband, my brothers, Joe and Jeff and their girlfriends. A nice small gathering to rekindle the tradition I have long missed.

It was a wonderful evening. Everyone got along, there was enough food and desserts to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Aiden had a ball ripping open his gifts and then eating the wrapping paper. Once the paper was discarded he enjoyed playing with his stuffed Snoopy and Woodstock the best, much to my mom’s surprise as she showered him with many other gifts she thought he would enjoy more. We had fun chatting, getting to know Joe’s new gal, Barb and just being together. Chris and I made my mom cry when she opened her present which was a bound photo album of Aiden ranging from birth to six months of age. I hope when we eventually move into a bigger house we can expand the guest list and make Aiden’s Christmas Eve memories just as special as mine.

Add comment December 24th, 2005