How Strict Are You with Christmas Traditions When Celebrating the Holidays?

Everyone has their own unique way of celebrating Christmas, and some are more traditional than others. For my family, we have three different families we open presents with, which means on Christmas morning, my wife, daughter, and I join a festive gathering. Christmas Eve is a time for family unity and delicious food, often spent at my mother’s house, where we enjoy a hearty meal and traditional Mexican dishes like chili tamales, rice, queso, chips, and sugar cookies known as sopapillas.

Christmas afternoon then brings us to my in-laws, where we have a traditional turkey lunch and crack open more presents. For me, I wouldn’t say that I’m exactly 'strict' about Christmas traditions. However, the core point of Christmas is tradition, so we follow the customs closely because of their cultural and familial significance. The Christmas tree is erected on Christmas Eve and taken down on the Twelfth Night, with dishes like roasted turkey, all the trimmings, and mince pies. There are also special activities like crackers and caroling, all in the name of tradition.

We hold on to some long-standing traditions but have also developed new ones as our daughter grows up. For instance, we have made it a point to stick to certain customs, like making sure the children feel the joy and excitement of the holiday season, regardless of their age. Some traditions, such as jumping on parents' beds in the morning and having Father Christmas (Dad) sneak into their bedrooms to fill their stockings, have inevitably lapsed or evolved with our changing times.

It's particularly evident when considering the experiences of my German daughter-in-law. She deeply feels the essence of Christmas without all the fancy Christmas biscuits and the tradition of giving presents on Christmas Eve. Hence, we strive to maintain as many traditions as possible, even if some of the dishes, like the Christmas pudding or mince pies, aren’t necessarily indulged in by everyone!

Nevertheless, the spirit and cultural significance of the holiday shine through, reminding us all to embrace the joy and love that fill the season. Whether you're following strict traditions or creating new ones, the key is to make the holiday special for you and your loved ones.

Keywords: Christmas traditions, holiday traditions, Christmas celebrations