Another Christmas one
Every single year for as long as I can remember, Christmas morning has been the same. I love it and never want it to change.

As kids are waking up at 4am asking their parents if Santa has been, my dad is up organising the living room, sorting presents into piles until 7am when he phones us and tells us to hurry up and get to their house as the bacon is nearly ready and the tea's going cold. We all pile into the car usually still in our pyjamas half asleep and drive to my mum and dads. When we get there we dare not go near the living room door oh no that's against the law, it's straight into the kitchen for us whilst we wait for my other two sisters to arrive. Around 8am we've finished the bacon and tea and then my dad leads the kids to the living room door and says "wait here kids, I need to make sure Santa hasn't fallen asleep on the sofa again" two seconds later he comes out and says "nope, all clear, you can come in now" The kids run into the room and take up their respective seats on the floor and all the adults (8 of us) all pile in and sit in the same seats we have sat in for the past 10 or so years. Magic's christmas songs are usually blaring out on the TV and once we're all settled my dad hands each present out individually reading who it's to and from and we all watch that person open their present. and then it's the next persons turn. When there are presents for 10 people this usually takes hours, but it's the best bit of the day and I think it makes us all alot more greatful for what we get. About 11am, just as we think it's all over my dad usually springs a surprise present on us all that he's even hidden from my mum which we all open together. It can be anything from a number of little presents, one each or one big family present to share.

After this we all grab a bin bag and clear out the wrapping paper and then the men "help" the kids "set up" their gadget like toys, while the women all go in the kitchen for a sherry and a mince pie while we muck in with crossing the sprouts and peeling the potatoes. Dinner is usually around 3pm and being from a traditional family the kids get theirs dished out first, then the men and us ladies last. After that the men wash up and the ladies sit around in the kitchen drinking sherry and eating mince pies and christmas log. Then it's games and or a sleep for the older folk. Around 7pm we all settle down and watch Doctor Who and after that we set off home where the kids get their new pyjamas on, have a turkey sandwich and then snuggle up in bed, exhausted after a days play. Mr Sp@m and I usually settle down with a Baileys and watch a few Christmas specials at this point until it's time for bed.

Christmas day has been exactly the same for me the past 29 years except now I have the added bonus of watching my own childrens faces light up with each present.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
( Mrs. Spatum, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 10:20, 4 replies)

Yay Christmas!
That sounds just like every Christmas up until the age of 22 - it lost a bit when my sisters and I were all grown up, but now two of them have children "proper" Christmases are back, with a mountain of presents under the tree, everybody squeezed round the table for dinner etc. Double Yay!
(Vice Admiral Sir Charles Cockbrush KCB MBE DSO, who is finding it increasingly difficult to log into b3ta.com wants to duck your aunt and kick your puppy, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 10:55, closed)

So perfect...
...that I nearly shed a tear!

I will be making sure my childrens xmas's are *just* that way. As it should be.
(EffinDoubt is breaking glass on, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 14:38, closed)

Me too!
I love the opening presents one by one thing that an old ex brought to my family! it also gives you time to remember who gave you what, so's you can thank them properly as well..
(Beer Elf Thought this was like a campfire, anyhow, on, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 15:12, closed)

You know what?
This is exactly what my family does, minus the Britishcisms.

It's a cup of coffee and a piece of kringle instead of sherry and mince; Rudolph or Little Drummer Boy instead of Dr. Who; and Kahlua instead of Baileys. Other than that, you've been peeking in my windows!
(TDub Nunc id vides, nunc ne vides on, Wed 26 Nov 2008, 0:54, closed)