Sunday, December 16, 2012

A major holiday approaches

We never actually celebrate Christmas on the 25th. With several nurses and a policeman in the family plus in-law obligations to reconcile, it just doesn't work out. It hasn't dampened our fun however.

This year, we'll meet halfway between the two farthest points in the town where my youngest daughter lives. She has reserved the fully-equipped community room in the Assisted Living Facility where she works. This year we are having a non-traditional menu and going Mexican. We're having tacos, enchiladas, refried beans, rice and lots of accoutrements. I'm calling it our Mexicano Navidad.

I've got all my calendars bought so now I have to wrap them. When we get together for Christmas, the adults no longer trade gifts as it got to be too expensive. We each bring a $15 gift and then play a dice game. After all the gifts have been won, we continue playing so the gifts won are up for grabs. Anyone can take away your gift and give you theirs. A popular gift may change hands many times, so it gets to be lots of fun.

      All the cooking and shopping does tire a person out!

18 comments:

Buttercup said...

Sounds like a very fun way for family to be together. I love the doggies, and I feel like that some days.

Joanne Noragon said...

I love that game! You will have a great holiday.

Linda Starr said...

Been years since I celebrated, but I don't begrudge the celebration of families and children and grandchildren, and random gift giving for no reason.

Linda Myers said...

We played that gift exchange game last night with our grown children. Gifts for the grandchildren only. So much simpler!

Now we have two more small gatherings and then we're finished with the season, until the 26th when we get our 12-year-old granddaughters for a week.

Traditions change, don't they?

The Odd Essay said...

What a great way to celebrate the holidays. The gift exchange sounds like a hoot! Wonder what you'll end up with?

Linda said...

It sounds like a fun, enjoyable family gathering. Enjoy!

Sparrow chic said...

Have my 15.00 gifts bought. You'd think, 15.00 no big deal ! It's tough looking for a random gift thats appropriate and hoping it's that ONE present everyone else wants ! Love getting together with the family AND we manage to every year !
I LOVE MY FAMILY !!!!!!

Jane and Chris said...

We have a special meal on Christmas eve, relax with a buffet on Christmas day...Christmas meal on Boxing day..then Mexican on New Year's eve.
Not traditional but we like it!
Jane x

Bob said...

Sounds like a lovely holiday, just as it should be.

PS Ralphie all grown up is adorable.

Joanna Jenkins said...

A Mexican food buffet for Christmas sounds fantastic to me! YUM.

Glad your family can all gather regardless of the actual date. It's all about being together that counts.

I've played your gift exchange game before and it's a great time.

Have lots of fun and Merry Christmas. jj

Linda Starr said...

What a fun way to celebrate the holiday with family, I like the game you play too.

Crafty Green Poet said...

That sounds like a lot of fun! Feliz Navidad!

Haddock said...

That looks like an interesting game. Just imagine here comes your gift and here goes the gift :-)

Barbara Blundell said...

hello Ms Sparrow, Sounds like a wonderful Christmas.it must be lovely to spend it all together as a family. The gift idea seems great too would love to try it -perhaps next year. Maybe when you have some time to spare you could explain it a bit more please

Meggie said...

Love the "dog-tired photo". My family will also be celebrating the day after Christmas. It is the time we could all agree on and it works for me!

Kittie Howard said...

Your Christmas celebration sounds like a lot of fun. We live in Northern Virginia as that's where hub's work is.

I'm thankful we visit during the year, Ms. Sparrow. You are a wonderful person with a heart as big as the outdoors.

Susan said...

What wonderful plans. I'm flying by the seat of my pants...so sad after the tragedy and finding it hard to make any. XOXO

John Going Gently said...

Ralphie is one hot cookie!
happy christmas old bean!