The few traditions we have evolved from my family traditions as a child.

The Christmas Season began and still begins with putting up the tree and decorations.

Christmas Eve was always spent at my grandmothers.  We'd go to church, then go to her house to open the gifts she bought us.  Weather permitting, my grandmother and I would attend the 11:00 service too!

My sister and I had our own little.. ahem.. "tradition".. we would wake in the middle of the night and sneak downstairs to see what santa had left us!  We would even try to slit the tape of a few packages to see what was inside.. naughty naughty!  Yes I outgrew that!  I don't shake or try to guess the presents.. I want to be surprised!

On Christmas morning, once we were old enough, my mom insisted on breakfast before we opened presents.  Not just any breakfast, though.. we had yummy homemade by Pulaski's Market, kilbasa!  After breakfast we would clean up and then make punch.  It was finally time to gather in the living room to pass out and open presents.  I still do this, however the breakfast has changed from kilbasa to whatever we happen to decide on.  I make the same punch that I've had since I was a kid!  Hubby doesn't like waiting to open presents!  lol!

Once the presents were opened and the paper all cleared away, my mom would always arrange the presents under the tree for a picture.  This is another tradition I still do.  (Yes, I make the dogs sit next to the tree with their opened presents!)

Then it was time for dinner.   My mom began making her yummy lasagna for our Christmas dinner many years ago.  It could be prepared ahead of time and baked while opening presents.  Something that helped on a busy Christmas day!  I don't make lasagna.. cuz no one makes it like Mom does!  Our new tradition is to have Prime Rib for our Christmas dinner.

Another tradition that I left in NY included spending two days making all sorts of Christmas cookies.  They were yummy.. but oh so much work!  I remember a couple of years we were still up frosting and putting the on the finishing touches when my dad would get up for work!  WE used to make soooooo many cookies!

As a fitting end.. the shopping frenzy tradition of December 26th.  We would get up while it was still dark out and brave the cold and shoppers for the day after Christmas bargains!