How Do You Holiday?

[Eli]

I started a family tradition when I was 14 and I made lasagna for Xmas dinner and some side dishes. As my cooking skills developed so did my sides, both dishes and the ones on my body

However, the last 4 years we have been spending Xmas eve dinner at G-Ma and G-Pa's house, my BIL's grandparents. She makes a delicious rib roast and the yummiest side dishes imaginable.

Our most favorite part of the day is the "White Elephant" game we play which is G-Ma's own version. We all bring a gift with a $20 or so value, it can be an awesome gift (which my sisters and I try to compete for the best gift) or a gag gift (which my BILs are so good at). Then there is the statue that resembles Xmas, it's not an ugly statue just one we all associate with as being the biggest gag gift and its brought by the person who got it last year. The game is played by rolling dice, if you get a double you get to pick up a wrapped gift, when you roll another double you get to pick up a different gift or unwrap your gift. Anytime someone rolls a double they can either steal a gift or pick one up from the pile. This repeats itself until everyone has a gift and has unwrapped their gift. Once everyone has an unwrapped gift, we start the lightning round, G-Ma sets the timer and covers it so no one knows how much time is left. Then the game proceeds where if you roll a double you get to steal a gift. As you can imagine, this part becomes approximately 15-20 minutes of utter chaos in the Eli Family home, there's plotting and planning, stealing and hiding. Until the last moment when we hear the timer bell and EVERYONE LOOKS TO SEE WHO HAS THE STATUE. Then of course we all point and laugh.

Well this year, I am going to become the proud aunty to my first Nephew on December 27, we don't want my sister in the car driving to Riverside so close to giving birth, so Xmas dinner is going to be at her house and I get to cook! I'm so excited to combine my Italian themed dinner with G-Ma's White Elephant excitement!

What's your family tradition for the holidays?

[SBS933]

Well, If the upholsterer gets done in time, I'm gonna Xmas at the river (drink) being he didn't meet the Nov. 14th deadline, It's probably not gonna happen. Looking like another Superbowl rivertrip.

[Stainless]

Never heard of anything like that, really cool tradition!


Bench race driver of the NHRA 16X Castrol GTX Mustang

[28eliminator]

We've done the white elephant gift deal before at parties, and it's a lot of fun. A little different version, but the same concept.

We're pretty traditional with turkey and fixings for Xmas dinner.. Usually Chicken Divan for Xmas eve.


Sent from somewhere on the water

[Wendi]

Xmas Eve with Dad's side of the family and we used to exchange gifts, then as the kids got older, we did elephant gift, where we would spend $20 and compete for best gift. Now everyone is getting divorced and too cheap so no gift exchange just getting together with what little family is left. Usually chili and cornbread dinner.

Xmas Day Mom's side of the family. However this year may be different as no one is talking. My brother comes out with his family and my cousin from st. Louis is coming out as well. This will be interesting to say the least how we are going to ALL get together under one roof. We usually have prime rib dinner and all the fixins! If WMC could have it his way we would ditch both sides and head to the river. But unfortunately he will not get his way this year. We are staying home and figuring out how to all get together civily.

Merry Christmas!

[FormulaZR]

We are going to do a major change this year.

For the past 30 years, we have always had a fairly quiet Christmas at home with enchiladas on Christmas Eve and a traditional meal on Christmas Day.


This year, however, my (now very small) family will be spending the Christmas holidays in Lake Tahoe. Not sure yet on the food, but the traditional meal will not be served.


Tahoe's probably not a big deal for you Cali folks....but we are all from Texas, so it's a major shift.

[nowski]

We are going to do a major change this year.

For the past 30 years, we have always had a fairly quiet Christmas at home with enchiladas on Christmas Eve and a traditional meal on Christmas Day.


This year, however, my (now very small) family will be spending the Christmas holidays in Lake Tahoe. Not sure yet on the food, but the traditional meal will not be served.


Tahoe's probably not a big deal for you Cali folks....but we are all from Texas, so it's a major shift.

Is this Holiday going to include Snow Skiing Or Snow Boarding??? Gun Barrel at Heavenly was one of my favorite runs with Lake Tahoe in the background...

[mrs.daytona]

We bring our own Santa to Christmas. This is my dad with my nephew...and that isn't a fake beard or hair...

[Napanutt]

We bring our own Santa to Christmas. This is my dad with my nephew...and that isn't a fake beard or hair...

Can we have Christmas with you guys this year?
Don't get me wrong, love my family but Christmas is usually at my step sisters house who's birthday is December 25th. She wants it to be all about her and her birthday. We were trying to plan a get a way for Christmas this year but didn't happen.

[nowski]

Me and Wife use to do a yearly Company Christmas Party here in Ontario till the recession took its toll on Santa and I was givin my walking papers. I haven't done it since. The one thing that use to amaze me about dressing up as Santa, the horny woman that would hit on me. I remember 3 woman sitting at the bar and my greeting to them Ho, HO, Ho...