The Many Faces of Christmas

I'm constantly amazed at different families' Christmas traditions.

As the holiday gets closer, I'm often asking friends and people I meet, "What do you do for Christmas?" Their responses are delightful.

Some people spend Christmas with a huge extended family. Others go to a vacation spot, forgo the tree and most of the presents and focus on fun. A friend of mine takes her family on a ski vacation every year; there are gifts from Santa waiting for them at home when they return.

For some families, Christmas day means church, opening gifts and a big traditional dinner. Others make Christmas Eve the big night and sleep most of the next day.

In my family we have our traditions - we build a gingerbread house every year, we make an ornament, we send out a Christmas card with a photo of our children, we have eggnog on Christmas eve - but lately I've been happy to mix things up a little bit. After years of the kids waking us up at 5 a.m. or earlier, whispering, "Santa was here!" the kids now get a kick out of opening gifts after midnight mass and then staying up all night.

In a way I hate to see the old traditions go away, but it's fun to start new ones, too.

What are your Christmas traditions? Are you trying any new ones this year? Start a discussion and share your holiday ideas.

Suite has dozens of Christmas related articles. Want to get back to basics this year? Read A Down to Earth Christmas. Looking for some last-minute ornament craft ideas? Ten Minute Christmas Crafts has ideas for quick and easy ornaments.

Check out Suite 101's complete list of holiday articles at Holiday Event.