Christmas Eve Family Fun and Traditions!

The excitement factor on Christmas Eve is probably unrivalled with any other night of the year!  The culmination of weeks of shopping, cooking, celebrating, wrapping and decorating has arrived, along with weary parents and hyperactive kids! Here are a few ideas to make the night fun and functional!

Treats for Santa and His Reindeer

Use a cute plate to set out cookies for Santa, along with a glass of milk and carrots for the reindeer!  (Parents, make sure that these snacks are consumed before sunrise!)  See rosenberryrooms.com for the cute Santa plate pictured at top of page.

Take Photos in Matching PJs

Take photos as each family member hangs their stocking!  Matching PJ’s are especially nice on this night!

Sprinkle Reindeer “Food” on Your Lawn

Sprinkle reindeer food on the front lawn to attract Santa’s helpers!  In our house, reindeer food is a yummy (?) combination of oatmeal, fruit loops, dried grass and glitter!

Set out a “Santa Key”

Leave a special “Santa Key” out for Santa!  This clever item will provide the answer to many questions posed by little ones, like how does Santa come inside if we don’t have a fireplace or how does Santa get into our apartment building!

Prepare for Christmas Morning

After the children have gone to bed, begin your morning preparations!  Clean up the kitchen, set the breakfast table, make my favorite breakfast casserole (French Toast Casserole) , fill the coffee maker, charge up the camera and video camera, and put a holiday CD into the CD player!

Ensure a “Surprise” in the Morning

The final step at my home is the hanging of a sheet over the living room doorway!  This way, even the earliest riser will not get a sneak peek at Santa’s gifts before everyone is ready!

Give some of these ideas a try at your home this Christmas!  Do you have any special Christmas Eve traditions?  I’d love to hear!

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