Here at Lifetime Creations, we all really enjoy the Christmas season and the fun holiday traditions we’ve continued with our friends and family over the years. To share the holiday spirit, here are some of our favorite traditions.

Nick

Each year my extended family has what we call the “Progressive Dinner” where throughout the day we travel to each other’s houses, eating, and celebrating Christmas. Each host provides a meal corresponding with that time of day. We start in the morning with breakfast, then travel to another house for appetizers, then to another for soup/salad, dinner and finally deserts. We typically have a white elephant exchange at the last house of the day.

I believe the tradition started in the late ‘70’s before I was born. My grandmother and her two sisters started the tradition, which carries on today even after they have all passed. It’s a fun time to remember and celebrate family.

Stephanie

Christmas Eve we'll usually have an early dinner with my side of the family and exchange gifts. The past few years we decided to change up our menu away from a traditional holiday meal since we still get to enjoy that Christmas Day. Last year we had a BBQ feast with pulled pork/chicken, homemade cornbread and mac n cheese - it was amazing! Later in the evening, Nick and I will watch It's a Wonderful Life before going to midnight mass. It's something we've done since we started dating and I look forward to every year.

Elizabeth

Making pizzelle cookies with my husband- My husband really likes my grandma's Italian waffle cookies, so a couple years ago for Christmas I bought him the cookie press to make them. Ever since then, we make them together around Christmas time, and we bring them to all of our holiday gatherings. It's special because we don't usually make those cookies any other time of the year, and we get to bond when we make them.

Decorating the house- When I lived at my parent's house, my family would put up Christmas decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving every year. Their Christmas tree is huge, and has a ton of whimsical ornaments. It's always fun to pick out my favorites, or look at the ones that bring back memories. Then, for dinner we have imported salami & cheese. Even though I moved out last year, I still go over there and help with the Christmas tree and enjoy good food. It's special because it's the transition into the Christmas season and the decorations just put me in a good mood. Plus, I love salami & cheese.

Sarah

One of my favorite things during the holidays was when I was younger playing hide and go seek in the church basement with all my cousins and second cousins while the adults made dinner.

I have very few relatives my age so it was nice the times that we did all get together and could just have fun being kids. It went on from basically the time you could walk until we were mid-teens.

Jordan

Christmas Eve - Growing up, my siblings, my mom, and I would spend Christmas Eve together. We would wrap presents, cook a large dinner usually consisting of ribs, exchange ornaments, search for the hidden pickle ornament on the tree, and get to open one gift from our mom. When we were much younger, we would finish the night reading the Polar Express and head off to sleep in someone’s room where we would draw a map and plan for the next morning.

Now that we’re older and starting families of our own, new traditions are starting. We now meet at my mom’s house early on Christmas morning. We take our time opening presents one at a time and then eat a big breakfast. Last Christmas, my brother and sister-in-law announced they were expecting their first child so this Christmas will be special as we share it with my new nephew.