When I was eleven, I couldn’t wait to open presents on Christmas morning.  I would get up early, sneak downstairs, and carefully examined every present under our Christmas tree.  That year, I had the most presents!

I woke up my 3-year-old sister to get her all wound up about the Big Day.   She squealed with joy at the sight of all the shiny wrapped gifts.  She had the biggest present.  We ran upstairs and jumped on our parents’ bed.  Reluctantly they got up and headed downstairs with us and set up the video camera.  It was 5 am.

Within 20 minutes there was yelling, arguing and crying.  The video looked green because there wasn’t enough lighting.  Everyone was getting mean.  Mom had had enough.

“That’s it!  Form now on, Christmas does not start until 9 am, and I’ve had my coffee!”

So a new tradition was born in a not so fun way.  But other traditions have continued because of love or enjoyment.  Dad still reads the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve, we all finish wrapping gifts around 2 am, the dogs get their own presents to unwrap, and stockings are always filled with pocket toys, chocolate and socks.  Everyone needs socks.

But my favorite tradition that I started when I was very young (and continue today) is eating gingersnap cookies for breakfast with a huge glass of eggnog while watching holiday cartoons.  Christmas just isn’t the same without How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

So now I ask you- What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?  Share by leaving a comment here or at www.facebook.com/thegoodtravellife.

Merry Christmas!