My childhood Christmas tradition, I thought, was quite normal.
We'd make sure the tree looked good and stockings were hung, and we'd prepare a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa.
After that, it was time for bed. Easy to say, but hard for a kid on Christmas eve. What's that up in the sky? Did I hear sleigh bells? Eventually we'd drift off to sleep.
In the morning we'd wake up and go find our parents. Peeking under the tree, we'd get a thrill seeing that Santa had indeed come to our house. (Phew! Not naughty!) Checking the cookies we had left out and seeing crumbs, plus an empty glass of milk, was full confirmation.
We'd open our gifts in the morning and would have the day to play with everything.
...
This routine was different if we visited grandparents, but not much. The Bailey grandparents would allow us one gift each to open on Christmas eve. Our hopes were inevitably dashed when it we opened the obligatory pair of new pajamas so we'd look good for xmas photos. Ack! We fell for this "early present" over and over.
Before they moved to Florida, they'd hold us kids at the top of the stairs. Grandpa would have to go do the official inspection, You'd hear him downstairs by the tree, teasingly saying things like "Ooh, this looks nice" and "I bet someone will really like this..." - all the while making us wait at the top of the stairs. The words "eager" and "anticipation" were invented for these moments.
We'd finally be released from the suspense when he would shake the sleigh bells, giving us the all clear sound to come down to the tree.
...
Fast forward and I run into Lise, whose family does things another way entirely. Presents get opened late Christmas eve - kids would go to sleep early then be woken up closer to midnight, after Santa had come and gone. Then back to sleep after presents had been opened.
I had never heard of this way of doing things.
...
So, my question to you is: what's your routine for Christmas? Do you have a family tradition that you look forward to each year? When do you exchange gifts?
(If you celebrate one of the other December holidays, feel free to speak about those traditions as well. I grew up with Santa and the Sears wishbook - that's my limited experience.)