Christmas Has Snuck Up On Me! (Part 1)

After putting up with Christmas music from the day after Halloween and watching the same Christmas movies for the past few weeks...we finally made it to Christmas Eve! This year I seem to not been as excited as previous years. I took the role of Santa in my house this year by wrapping all the presents. I'm sure that my Mom appreciates the break. We still have the same traditions from when I was younger and I plan to use them with my daughter. My most favorite memory of Christmas when I was younger was to open pajamas on Christmas Eve.




My Mom's pajamas and Mine


Hooray for leg warmers!


After we open our pajamas we settle down in front of the television in our new pajamas and watch A Christmas Story a couple times. Snacks are a must! We usually drink sparkling cider and eat cheese and crackers. This year we just ate grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup with soda. We are lazy this year! After looking through left over Christmas items at a craft store last year, my mom came across Christmas crackers! They were at a great discount too! ;) This is a (great) change in our traditions.


Christmas Crackers
Christmas crackers or also known as Bon-Bons were invented back in 1847 by a British man named Thomas J. Smith. Although when first invented the crackers did not make the cracking sound, but was just paper that was wrapped at either end and consisted a small treat that later turned into "fortune cookies." Once the cracking sound was added they swapped the treat inside for a small toy. Today's crackers still have the small gifts inside such as paper hats, jokes, and noise makers. In the world of Harry Potter, wizards have these crackers but with a more powerful bang. Inside their crackers they receive gifts that us muggles would never imagine receiving. A rear-admiral's hat, a 'Grow-Your-Own-Warts Kit', live white mice, non-exploding balloons, a magical chess set and other magically themed gifts.

The Small Toys We Received In Our Crackers.

Finally, we just sit around watching movies until we are ready to go bed. Once I'm in my bed all cozy and warm I lay awake for what feels like hours thinking very hard about what wonderful gifts, joy, and happiness is awaiting for the morning...