What is everyone doing for Christmas?

[sorcer3ss (RETIRED)]

I thought it might be fun to hear how everyone celebrates Christmas, we all do it differently I know even here in Australia, we all have our different rituals.

As some of you realise it is Summer here for Christmas, and often is quite hot, it's been over 100 some years, but still I line up for my hot Christmas dinner at lunchtime like a fool I can't help myself it's the way our family celebrated since I was a child. We usually have roast chicken, roast pork, cold ham, roast vegetables and some nice fresh peas, the plate bulges. We then finish off with Plum Pudding and then nibble on chocolate, nuts, and lollies (candy). Then for tea we usually have cold meats and salads and some sweets like chocolate ripple cake, trifle, cheesecake etc. We then recover from all that eating for a few days, well actually not as we celebrate Boxing Day the following day, but that is usually just cold meats and salads. I have tried to have a bbq tea for Christmas Day a couple of years, but it just isn't the same.

So I would love to hear how you all celebrate Christmas Day.

 

[labell]

Yum Sorcer3ss that sounds wonderful!!

Beaches is the baker, and I'm the candy maker in the family, so we'll spend the next few weeks preparing some wonderful goodlies.

I love a quiet dinner on Christmas Eve, usually roast beef or a small turkey to share at my Mom's house. It sets the tone for the hectic day to follow. We are very blessed to have my mom and my husbands parents still here... so we wake on Christmas to our presents then head for the farm 30 miles away. We celebrate with my inlaws with a huge meal, turkey, ham, mashed potatos, gravy, dressing, many pies and cakes, there's usually about 30 of us! Time for presents then we head back to my mom's to celebrate there.

Mom's will be a cold ham, rye bread, swiss cheese, baked beans, relish tray, chips and assorted goodies and snacks. Then time for presents. Our nieces and nephews have families of their own, so we've shrunk in size to 10 or 12, but it's still wonderful to be together!


sleigh

 

[CareyG]

What a great idea!

For me its the same every year. On Christmas Eve we do a big fish dinner(its an italian thing) We make everything from shrimp cocktail to lobster tails! Its just a small bunch of us, me and my boys, my mom, my dad and his girlfriend. Then on Christmas Day by the time we open all the presents its just lounge around the house time! We make a simple dinner and play with all our new "toys" lol.

I always bake a couple weeks before Xmas so the cookies are in the house during the whole holiday season. I make like 3 or 4 different kinds of cookies. No so great for my diet but my boys love it!

The weekend before Xmas we always go see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and do dinner in the city and just walk around getting into the xmas spirit!​

 

[sorcer3ss (RETIRED)]

Amazing we are all different even with the three of us. Labell, the cooking must be horrendous for 30 people, we used to have 15 and that was bad enough, but we have shrunk now, all my cousins and families do their own thing. Carey I was trying to think of the Rockefeller Centre name the other day and Mark was saying it was Times Square and I knew that wasn't right, that's the one that they make into an ice rink isn't it? So you celebrate with food more on Christmas Eve is that right?

 

[CareyG]

Amazing we are all different even with the three of us. Labell, the cooking must be horrendous for 30 people, we used to have 15 and that was bad enough, but we have shrunk now, all my cousins and families do their own thing. Carey I was trying to think of the Rockefeller Centre name the other day and Mark was saying it was Times Square and I knew that wasn't right, that's the one that they make into an ice rink isn't it? So you celebrate with food more on Christmas Eve is that right?

Rockefeller Center is in Times Square and yes there is an ice skating rink in the middle. Its beautiful, nothing gets you more into the spirit of xmas like going to Rockefeller Center! Last year we also went to the Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes. It was great!
​

 

[dani3839]

I have a blended family, lol, so i never do christmas on christmas day.
we do it the day after, that way all the kids can be there.

this will be the first xmas in 5 yrs my son who is in the
army will be home. I'm so excited!!!
son home and grandbabies, who could ask for more!!!

Happy Holidays everyone

 

[labell]

Last year we also went to the Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes.

oh I'd love that... I got to Radio CIty Music Hall when I was 11 lol 40 years ago, I'll never forget the rockettes!

Sorcer3ss I never realized Rockefeller center is IN Times Square.... thanks Carey
My inlaws always use 10 pounds of potatoes for the mashed potatoes, then cook them in a huge crock pot to save room on the stove. They make the main meat, then someone usually carries in a second. They have a small farm, so we have my fatherinlaw's sweet corn from the freezer, I make homemade apple sauce with the early summer apples... everyone carries in a desert... There's bread and cheese, vegetables... yum I'm getting hungry lol

Oh just thought of the turkey--- I do this when I bake a chicken too - I add two cans of broth so I have lots for gravy, then I take the leftover meat, gravy and add some mixed vegetables and two frozen pie shells... I make a homemade pot pie with practically no effort that tastes like a dream....

Dani that sounds heavenly, everyone home and babies, Merry Christmas.

 

[sorcer3ss (RETIRED)]

labell that sounds absolutely delicious, wow what a feast. Carey thanks for that, I really didn't realise it was in Times Square. My parents went there when they had the ice rink - I think they may have been there when they were putting the tree up as well, I loved all their photos from there. Dani I am so happy for you, what a wonderful Christmas you are going to have with your son home.

 

[PIXIEW]

MINE IS SIMPLE TO PUT INTO WORDS BUT TEARS MY HEART OUT ~ WHAT AM I DOING FOR CHRISTMAS NOTHING NOT 1 SINGLE THING ITS BEEN LIKE THIS THE LAST 2 YEARS , NO TREE ,NO DECORATIONS, NO FOOD, NO GIFTS AND THE WORST PART NOT A SINGLE SOLE AROUND ME ;( I'VE ALWAYS LOVED THIS TIME OF YEAR I LOVED GIVING, CAROLING, BAKING YOU NAME IT I LOVED IT THEN WHEN I GOT SO DEATHLY SICK THATS WHEN WHAT FAMILY I HAD LEFT ON EARTH QUIT SENDING ME A CARD ,A PHONE CALL ETC,,, NORMALLY I WOULD HAVE MY HUBBY EVEN ON OUR 25TH ANNIV. THIS DEC 21st I WONT HAVE HIM BY MY SIDE NOR WIL I BEABLE TO TALK WITH HIM FOR HE IS AWAY FIGHTING FOR HIS OWN LIFE BIG TIME I'VE NOT MENTIONED A WORD ON THIS IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS FOR IF I TALK ABOUT I WILL NOT BE AROUND MYSELF THIS IS JUST NOT F****** FAIR I CANT AND WONT TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS OK I AM SORRY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART I DO NOT WANT TO BRING ANY OF MY STREAK FAMILY DOWN ON THE HOLIDAYS ( WELL ANY DAY ) YOU ARE ALL I HAVE LEFT IN LIFE SO I DONT WANT TO RUN YOU ALL OFF FOR THEN I WOULD HAVE NOT A PERSON TO CRY ON A SHOULDER OR TO LEAN ON . I WISH EACH AND EVERY STREAKER TO HAVE THE BEST AND HAPPIEST HOLIDAY SEASON YET!!!! I HONEST TO GOD :angel I WILL PRAY FOR A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE FOR EACH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE A SPECIAL :freeTO DELIVER THAT MIRACLE YOU ASKED FOR !! THAT IS THE BEST I CAN DO FOR MY FAMILY " MY STREAK FAMILY " BELIEVE ME IF I HAD A WAY OR THE MEANS TO DO MORE AS GOD AS MY WITNESS I WOULD GIVE YOU ALL THE SHIRT OFF MY BACK OR WHAT EVER YOU NEEDED!! YOU ALL MEAN THE WORLD TO ME AND I TRULEY THINK OF YOU ALL AS MY FAMILY AND :friends . MAY YOU BE BLESSED THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR TO COME HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

 

[judyb57]

Sorry Pixie. That is the one sad part about the holiday season. So many people have no one to celebrate with and will not have a bright holiday. I will keep all those of you in my prayers. One thing for those of you feeling down, please remember that you are not alone and that there are so many others out there so much worse off than you are.

 

[Iamagambler]

On the 20th we celebrate Chrismas with hubbies family! Then Xmas eve hubby and I go to our local bar and party with friends and eat all kinds of munchies and have a few hot toddies!! Christmas day the kids (29) and (16) (2) my grandson) open their gifts, then we head over to hubbies folks and have dinner, which usually consists of Turkey, Mashed taters, gravy, cranberries, stuffing and then pie for dessert.......So very nice to celebrate with family!! That is what holidays are for!! We don't buy to many gifts. The kids get something to open and then we do a gift exchange when we do the xmas on the 20th....Only 5 people to buy for. Years past we would go broke buying 26 some gifts, and that took the joy out of Xmas for me...Now I am so looking forward to it. Hubby and I both are laid off as we have seasonal jobs!!! sleighPS...pixie..your are more than welcome to come join us for Christmas!!!!

 

[PIXIEW]

WHAT A:angel YOU ARE THANKS HUN EVEN THAT YOUR ONLY A STATE AWAY I AM BED RIDDEN 24/7 AND GET DINNER THROUGH IV'S lol BUT THANK YOU FROM MY HEART FOR THE OFFER SWEETS!!!!!1 YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE POOED YOUR BRITCHES IF I SAID HELL YES GIVE ME YOUR ADDRESS YOU TRULEY ARE A :angelFOR ASKING I REALLY MEAN THAT WHISING YOU THE BEST

On the 20th we celebrate Chrismas with hubbies family! Then Xmas eve hubby and I go to our local bar and party with friends and eat all kinds of munchies and have a few hot toddies!! Christmas day the kids (29) and (16) (2) my grandson) open their gifts, then we head over to hubbies folks and have dinner, which usually consists of Turkey, Mashed taters, gravy, cranberries, stuffing and then pie for dessert.......So very nice to celebrate with family!! That is what holidays are for!! We don't buy to many gifts. The kids get something to open and then we do a gift exchange when we do the xmas on the 20th....Only 5 people to buy for. Years past we would go broke buying 26 some gifts, and that took the joy out of Xmas for me...Now I am so looking forward to it. Hubby and I both are laid off as we have seasonal jobs!!! sleighPS...pixie..your are more than welcome to come join us for Christmas!!!!

 

[PIXIEW]

THANKS JUDY MY SWEETS SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE WORSE OFF , BUT I KNOW THERE IS AND AT THESE TIMES I JUST NEED A hmmrTAKEN TO ME LIKE YOU DID ( IN A GOOD WAY ) AND REMIND ME OF THAT! xoxoxoxoxo THIS GUY IS FOR YOU JUDY

Sorry Pixie. That is the one sad part about the holiday season. So many people have no one to celebrate with and will not have a bright holiday. I will keep all those of you in my prayers. One thing for those of you feeling down, please remember that you are not alone and that there are so many others out there so much worse off than you are.

 

[sorcer3ss (RETIRED)]

Yes Pixie Christmas can be a sad time for many, my wish for you is that things pick up, and you know that you are part of our streak family and can always tell us things, good and bad. Iamagambler that sounds like you have a nice time with all the family, and it does make it easier if the gifts are cut back, not only is it so expensive to buy for everyone but it is finding the gift as well.

 

[redfawn]

I have my boy friend..lol sounds so school like.. my son and his ex girl friend who is now one of my best friends for Christmas. My son and his ex can't be around eachother because of her feelings she still has for him so she will come by later to celebrate Christ's Birthday with us. I don't see how we can afford any gifts this year but it isn't about that. For so long i have wanted to help at the soup kitchen and visit the elderly...just give of myself. So thats what i am going to do this year. Every year it feels the same with or without gifts and loved ones around me..something has always been missing and i really feel it is helping others on this wonderful miricle day of Jesus Birth. Pixie hon, i wish i could come and give you the biggest hug ever and tell you how much you are loved and that whatever happens you will be alright..sometimes bad things just happen to really good people and only the Lord knows why. What part of the USA do you live? I am in Arizona and i would love to talk to you..if you want please pm me your phone and i can call you anytime..or if you want to call me just let me know. You are not alone angel one and God is always with you along with everyone whooves and keeps you in their thoughts and prayers. Me included. May you all be blessed with love and good health this Christmas season and always.

 

[PIXIEW]

sorcer3ss I AM REALLY SORRY I POSTED MY POST I DID NOT IN ANYWAY MEAN TO TAKE AWAY SUCH A GREAT POST AND HAVE EVERYONE WORRY ABOUT ME AND I HATE PITTY TO THE MAX SO I REALLY AM ASKING NOT TO HAVE THAT I JUST ANSWERED THE TRUTH TO YOUR POST YOU MAY REMOVE MINE THATS FINE AND I TRULEY WILL UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!! AGAIN I AM SOOOOO SORRY

 

[nikkidog]

Mine is just about the same as yours Garey, as I am Italian also. I start out 2 weeks before Christmas making all the Italian cookins Every year I say I am going to cut back on the amount I make, but then I some how make even more. We spend Christmas eve at my daughters with all my family and my son-in-laws family. My daughter from and her husband and kids from Baltimore are there and my son and his wife from Flordia. We also have the fish dinner with Squid and all and I make all the pizzas. My husband is Irish and so is my son-in-law, so we really have a variety of dishes. We really have a great time altogether. Christmas dinner is at my house, with my children and 6 grandchildren,plus my brother and his wife, a cousin and a sister-in- law. I start out dinner with home made chicken soup with the little meatballs in it. , then stuffed manicotti, ham, chicken cutlets,mashed potatos, sweet potatos, broccoli and rice caserole, salad and It. bread. I know I must be forgetting something, but boy that is alot,. Didn't seem like alot until I just wrote it all down. After the dishes are all done, and a little rest, the pies come out. Ricotta pie, chocolate and banana cream. I really love Christmas and I love to cook, so I really enjoy doing all this. Of everybody brings something, except for my sister -in-law, who does not cook, but she brings the wine and soda and all kinds of snacks. Boy, now I am hungry and it is onlt 9:30 AM here. Wishing all of you here at the forum a very blessed and Merry Christmas., and Very Happy New Year.

 

[sorcer3ss (RETIRED)]

Yes it made me hungry too nikkidog, sounds so nice, so is the fish dinner a traditional italian meal for Christmas, I haven't heard of that before and have had a few Italian friends, maybe they are too Aussie...lol

Pixie please do not feel bad about posting, as you said in your post this is your family.

redfawn that is great that you are going to help in a soup kitchen this year, they probably find it difficult to find helpers then. That reminded me of my cousin's wife's dad, he held up Christmas lunch one year as he was helping a homeless man.

 

[CareyG]

A pic I took of the Rockefeller Center tree!​

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/CareyG/rockerfellercenter027.jpg">​

 

[judyb57]

WOW, that is beautiful Carey!