Christmas Eve is a time when families around the world come together to celebrate cherished traditions. For many, these customs not only mark the holiday season but also create lasting memories. A recent animated short from Disney featuring characters Olaf and Sven explores this theme, showcasing various festive practices while highlighting the importance of finding a family’s unique tradition.
In my family, Christmas Eve is the pinnacle of our holiday celebrations. This year, as I make the drive home, I reflect on the rituals that have become integral to our experience. With my mother working full days as a nurse, our schedule tends to be packed and carefully planned. The festivities commence with attending the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at our local church. This service narrates the story of Jesus, from the prophecies in Genesis to the nativity, interspersed with traditional hymns. The evening concludes with the beloved carol “Silent Night,” often sung in German, as the lights dim with each verse.
After the service, we gather at home to prepare our traditional Christmas dinner. Interestingly, our meals do not vary significantly across holidays; we simply switch out the main protein. While we enjoy ham for Easter and turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas is reserved for steak. Recently, my father has added shrimp to the menu, although only he and my sister partake in that. Our consistent accompaniments include crescent rolls, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and chocolate silk pie. This year, I am also attempting to introduce Brussels sprouts into the mix for the second time, hoping for a better reception than in previous years.
A quirky addition to our Christmas dinner is the tradition of Christmas crackers, which I introduced after discovering them in a Harry Potter book during high school. These festive tubes contain a paper crown, a joke, and a small toy or trinket. While the origins of Christmas crackers are British, they have been embraced by our family as a fun way to add excitement to the meal.
Once dinner concludes and the dishes are cleaned, we transition to the living room. As the designated “tech-savvy” member of the family, I set up some Christmas music on the television while my parents hide the Christmas pickle ornament in the tree. According to legend, the first person to find the pickle receives a prize. In our household, this means selecting the first present to open, which is a highlight of the evening. We follow a unique gift-opening tradition where each present is unwrapped one at a time, allowing us to appreciate the thought behind each gift.
This practice, while time-consuming, fosters a sense of gratitude and connection among us. As we take turns opening gifts, we also make sure to carefully dispose of or save the wrapping materials for future use. By the time we finish, the hour is late, and we are all content and full.
Stockings are not part of our Christmas Eve celebrations; instead, they are filled by Santa and revealed on Christmas morning. The rest of the holiday is typically spent enjoying family time, playing games, and watching festive movies together.
As the holiday season unfolds, I invite others to share their unique traditions. Each family’s customs contribute to the rich tapestry of holiday celebrations worldwide, making this time of year truly special.
