Christmas Eve "at Home"

We moved into our house in 1978, and a few years later my mother-in-law passed the torch of hosting the Christmas Eve family gathering on to me, and it's been at our house for at least the last 35 years. This year Steve asked if it was getting too much for me, but so far so good. The tradition keeps our family connected and I'm not ready for it to break off into individual family gatherings. We're making memories our children and grandchildren will remember after we are gone, and they have Christmas Day to celebrate with their individual families.

Hubby getting ready to put lights on the tree trunk this year.

Neither my daughter or daughters-in-law are asked to contribute to the meal because this is my treat to the family.  This year we had 14 for dinner and the meal began with a bacon, shrimp and corn chowder.  It was yummy and the recipe was requested.  I prepared an Italian menu even though we're not Italian - Chicken Parmesan, Italian Sausage and Peppers, Lasagna roll-ups, and Cheesy Potatoes and Corn Pudding [the grandchildren's favorite side dishes].  Rolls were Food Network Sandra Lee's semi-homemade [Rhodes frozen yeast rolls brushed with a melted butter mixture of ranch-style dressing mix, and chopped dried thyme and rosemary before baking].  Granddaughter Brooke always requests them.  Granddaughter, Brianna, is gluten free so I made glulten-free spaghetti and meatballs for her.  Dessert was two birthday cakes for Jesus - a chocolate mound cake that I made, and a decorated cassata cake from the local Italian bakery. My daughter [of her own choosing] brought two plates of decorated Christmas cookies. Beverages were hot spiced cider, coffee, and black flavored Snowflake [coconut] tea.

Knowing I'd be attending a Saturday morning Christmas Eve service at church, I began preparing the meal on Thursday and Friday.  The volume of food was more than I had room for in my refrigerator, so I used the cold garage.  The 5 degree outdoor temperatures froze everything, but but it was easily remedied by longer heating in the oven and stovetop.  

Mother Nature put us under a winter weather warning with threats of several inches of snow, but fortunately we only got a light dusting, so our gathering plans weren't thwarted.  Jeremy drives the farthest - about 67 miles.

We got home from church around 12:30 and I swung into action.  Dinner was set for 5:00 o'clock.

Our tree was almost identical to last year's except for a new angel and the addition of gold and white poinsettia flowers.  It takes so much time to decorate and has to come down so quickly.

Jerry took pics of the tables while I was busy in the kitchen.  The six grands [single and ranging in age from 10 to 33] ate at a table in the family room, while our kids and their spouses ate at the table in the dining area.

Jeremy arrived with his family first so Jerry got a picture of them by the Christmas tree.  It's the only family picture we got - the rest were taken individually when gifts were opened.

After dinner we went into the family room to hear the Christmas Story read from Luke, Chapter 2 by our youngest grandchild, Ellie. 

Then it was time for presents.  We always take turns opening gifts from the youngest to the oldest.  That way we get to see what everybody received.  I didn't get pictures of everyone opening their presents, but I got a few.  Ellie went first.

~ Brooke ~

Brianna - who got to come home from Nashville [which was colder than Michigan] and Sharon

~ Steve ~

~ Lori & Dave ~

After gifts, I read Tom Hegg's book, A Cup of Christmas Tea.

Then the grands changed into their comfy flannel pj's, and just before we were about to have our birthday cake for Jesus, the doorbell rang.  It was Tiffany, John, and the girls who decided to stop by after they left John's family.  It brought our count to 18 and our family was all together with the exception of one granddaughter. Evie and Jules brought in some of the toys they received at their paternal grandparents house, and Landon and Ellie played Hungry Hippo with Evie...

...while Izzy played princess with Jules.

It was a fun Christmas Eve celebration and everyone departed for home around midnight.  Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings to our family.