I was tempted to do the airing of grievances at Kroger today.. but I refrained :)

As for feats of strength: Demonstrating the utmost will power in not eating all the fudge that I made is the biggest feat of strength in the world and I am succeeding so far!

Aww, I like this thread! We had some fun traditions when my sister and I were kids - now that we're grown up and scattered around the country they've gone by the wayside, unfortunately. I can't wait to have Christmas with my own kids so I can bring them back! :)

First, my sister, my Dad, and I used to always go swimming on Christmas Eve (in an indoor pool somewhere, not outdoors!). I'm pretty sure this got started because we were all wound up and driving my Mom crazy while she was trying to cook and wrap presents, so my Dad would take us to a local Y or something and let us swim until we wore ourselves out. We did this every year until my sister and I were in college!

After swimming we would go to the Christmas Eve service at church. Then later we would watch the old claymation Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and read some kid's Christmas books together - even when we were too old for picture books. We would also put a "landing strip" of Christmas lights on the roof so Santa could land his sleigh, then we put out cookies and milk, and a carrot for Rudolph. We each got to open one small present, then it was time for bed.

There was always some sort of time limit in the morning (like, no getting out of bed before 6:30am) but inevitably my sister and I would be awake and barely containing ourselves by 5:30am. When it was finally time we would run into our parents' room to wake them up, then head down to the living room. My parents were pretty frugal in general but did like to go all out on Christmas, so there was always a really beautiful display. We would open our stockings, then eat breakfast - a traditional bread with nuts and cinnamon that my Mom makes every year. Then, back to presents! Later in the day we would go to see grandparents and family and have a big family dinner at my Aunt's house. Lots of great memories.

True story about how I love Christmas.

When my husband and I started dating (10 years ago...holy smokes), we started our little Christmas schedule. Christmas Eve was huge in his family. There was a big dinner at his Aunt's house with pierogies, fried fish, about a million other foods, and we always did oplatek too. Usually we'd sit around and BS, then go to our friend's parent's house and have yet more food and BSing and games. Then we'd go to midnight mass at my husband's childhood church (and the church we were married in and will be returning to when we move).

Christmas morning we usually get up and have a big breakfast (pancakes or french toast) and exchange presents with each other. Then we go back to my in-laws for lunch (usually leftovers), and then go to my parents for Christmas day. We do gifts, eat, and usually board games.

When we were kids, one of my favorite traditions was luminaires. My dad used to do them on the sidewalk up to our house, and then all the way down the street and up to our neighbors houses too. He always used the clay stuff he uses in his garage to clean up oil spills to keep them standing up, and my job once I learned how to drive was to procure plumbers candles for them. Once we get our house, we'll do this, too.

Growing up, my largish family had LOTS of traditions. Now that I live on the other side of the planet (and consider myself non-religious), Christmas has definitely gone down on the list of priorities. I definitely wouldn't fly back to the US just for Christmas - why leave awesome weather to arrive to probable flight delays, cancellations, snow, frustration - but I do miss the dress-up Christmas Eve dinner and the whole extended family being together on Christmas day.

Last year we were invited on VERY last minute notice to a friend's house for Christmas Eve with her family. I was kind of hoping that would become a tradition, but now that it's evening, I guess not. :( If we're far away again next Christmas (wish us luck!) I think I'll have to do the hosting of family-less friends on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.

Take a break and make the Pillsbury Dough Boy dance! :D

http://www.pillsbury.com/Doughboy/Dancing

I have enjoyed reading about everyones traditions. We have our big meal on Christmas Eve with Ham, twiced baked potatoes and other yummy side dishes. We always finish the meal with peppermint ice cream with hot fudge sauce. We also have homemade fudge and Mexican Wedding cookies. (We are not Mexican)
Then it is off to Christmas Eve service and on the way home we always drive through certain neighborhoods to look at the lights. I let my kids open 1 gift on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day we always have a delicious breakfast casserole( made with left over Ham.) We open gifts and then usually play board games or go to the movies. When my kids were little I made a choice to never buy an XBox or Nintendo or whatever the latest thing is called. They will all be in college next fall and nothing beats the whole family sitting down with a board game IMO.