December 24th: Christmas Eve

Rebel_Hedgehog

The twinkling of the fairly lights, the baubles reflecting rays of light as they gleam proudly on the tree; the holy, the ivy, and the smells of spiced apple and cinnamon candles burning. Cookies baking in the top oven whilst the aroma from the smell of cloves from the ham roasting in the oven begins to infuse the kitchen. Shall I have a class of cider, or a glass of prosecco?; Maybe its time for a glass of mulled wine?

Meanwhile, the Michael Bubble Cd is playing in the kitchen and in the living room, Santa Claus the movie is airing on television. Presents are stacked strategically under the tree, and the final window has been opened on the advent calendar. The Veg is being prepped, although unlike normally, it is very enjoyable and relaxing.

Yes, that's right folks, its Christmas Eve; considered by many to be as magical or even more magical than the day itself.

Its 11:30am and the excitement and anticipation is building.

Anyone else love this day as much as Christmas Day? Would love to know what you do and how you spend it.

Only 15 weeks to go.:T

pinklady1985

I will be working and its my eldests 10th birthday x

kayester

I LOVE christmas eve, I aswel get all excited as I have children age 4 and 2.

Last few years we have made it a tradition to take my eldest to the cinema to see a christmassy film and a macdonalds (so no pots to wash!!) and get excited on the drive home pointing in the skiy to find santa!.
my youngest will be joining us this year

most of my evening whilst kids are in bed are making everything look nice, and all veg prepped for the next day. Then maybe a glass of wine and a nice film with the other half, as an early night is out of the question!!

noodles86

Yep I love it too though I think I love them equally as I love seeing the kids playing with the toys.

We have an elf come to visit us through out advent & he leaves a Christmas Eve hamper. This year will consist of;

PJ's
Slippers
Dressing gowns
Xmas activity book for dd1
Peg puzzle for dd2
The snowman & the snowdog dvd
The empty stocking by Richard Curtis for dd1
That's not my snowman for dd2
Pop corn
Lush bar for bathtime
!!!!!! Whittington book & tickets for the panto (same) on 28th Dec
Reindeer food
Santa plate
Santa key

Have a nice breakfast, see what has been circled in the tv guide (which only gets bought at xmas:rotfl:) to watch or watch a film. Make sure any last minute chores are done & the house is nice and tidy. Tea for the children, sprinkle the reindeer dust and put out a cookie & milkshake for santa. Children bathed & into bed then a take away for the grown ups & put out the santa sacks & fill the stockings & then lay the table with the best cutlery & dinner ware. We don't do any veg prep etc the night before & the bird is fresh.

This year we're going to my in-laws xmas eve, I think for some food, no its def food just not sure what if its lunch or dinner lots of food, snack & drinks but it was a compromise from going over xmas day!! We like to spend that at home.

freespirit66

Hi, i absolutely love xmas eve, even more than xmas day itself i think, i love xmas day but there is a lot of pressure for it to be perfect, i always want it to be like the films, the americans do it so well :rotfl:i spend xmas eve morning just tidying and cleaning the last bits, i cook the turkey xmas eve (i picked that tip up from someone i worked with 27 years ago), we watch a film with snacks, then we always have a maccy ds early evening, last year i did my first xmas eve hamper and the kids (early 20s) :rotfl:loved it so thats a new tradition, we watch a dvd with choccies and hot choc (all from the hamper) its all very relaxed and cosy

Spamtastic

Rebel_Hedgehog wrote: »

The twinkling of the fairly lights, the baubles reflecting rays of light as they gleam proudly on the tree; the holy, the ivy, and the smells of spiced apple and cinnamon candles burning. Cookies baking in the top oven whilst the aroma from the smell of cloves from the ham roasting in the oven begins to infuse the kitchen. Shall I have a class of cider, or a glass of prosecco?; Maybe its time for a glass of mulled wine?

Meanwhile, the Michael Bubble Cd is playing in the kitchen and in the living room, Santa Claus the movie is airing on television. Presents are stacked strategically under the tree, and the final window has been opened on the advent calendar. The Veg is being prepped, although unlike normally, it is very enjoyable and relaxing.

Yes, that's right folks, its Christmas Eve; considered by many to be as magical or even more magical than the day itself.

Its 11:30am and the excitement and anticipation is building.

Anyone else love this day as much as Christmas Day? Would love to know what you do and how you spend it.

Only 15 weeks to go.:T

What a lovely, evocative post! Magical. Thank you.

ciderwithrosie_2

I usually have a few days off from work leading up to Christmas, so I can get the house looking how I want it, get in all my fresh food etc.

I don't want to have to go anywhere on Christmas Eve, hubby finishes work (nights) and I set about doing baking in the morning. Mince pies with homemade mincemeat, a dessert for the next day as no one wants Christmas pudding, last two years I've made a white chocolate and ginger cheesecake with ginger toffee sauce (like the one in Wagamamas). Last year I was making DS3 a mushroom and walnut loaf as he's now a herbivore. Cook the ham in cola. I don't prep veg as OH and I do it between us on Christmas morning.

Afternoon/early evening is open house time for friends and family to drop in for a drink and nibbles. If the boys' friends are round we usually end up playing something competitive on the games console. We usually get a takeaway as I've done enough cooking for one day. Then just relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with the family.

Now the boys are grown up, I've given up trying to sneak into their room in the early hours with their pillow case presents. Now I just leave them downstairs under the tree.

sarahj1986

I finish work on Friday 20th this year (cant face working 23rd AND 24th all day)

Its my cousins birthday so probably see him and have some lunch, prep what I can for xmas lunch (veg, sometimes do a trifle) and chill out

quidsy

Work day for me but my DS will be at my mums so I know she will make it magical for him.

Once I get home (around 5pm) we have dinner, he finds his christmas eve hamper & then bath, movie (ELF, this year), sweet treats, hot choc & marshmallows & early to bed.

He is usually by this point so excited that it takes a while to go off to sleep. Once he is down I then have a clear up, do any food prep for the next day, bring down presents, fill stockings & then crash for an hour before getting to bed early too, cause the boy will be up at the crack of dawn

noodles86

ciderwithrosie wrote: »

I usually have a few days off from work leading up to Christmas, so I can get the house looking how I want it, get in all my fresh food etc.

I don't want to have to go anywhere on Christmas Eve, hubby finishes work (nights) and I set about doing baking in the morning. Mince pies with homemade mincemeat, a dessert for the next day as no one wants Christmas pudding, last two years I've made a white chocolate and ginger cheesecake with ginger toffee sauce (like the one in Wagamamas). Last year I was making DS3 a mushroom and walnut loaf as he's now a herbivore. Cook the ham in cola. I don't prep veg as OH and I do it between us on Christmas morning.

Afternoon/early evening is open house time for friends and family to drop in for a drink and nibbles. If the boys' friends are round we usually end up playing something competitive on the games console. We usually get a takeaway as I've done enough cooking for one day. Then just relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with the family.

Now the boys are grown up, I've given up trying to sneak into their room in the early hours with their pillow case presents. Now I just leave them downstairs under the tree.

Could I have your cheesecake recipe please? Is it hard to make? I have made cheesecake before but a lemon with ginger base

Snugglebunny8

Im the same, Christmas Eve is the most magical day of the year for me! I especially love the part where it starts to get dark and I imagine all the kids looking up at the sky to see the lights on the sleigh mine are teenagers now (13 + 16) but still get into the spirit of it in a big way.

DH and I always make sure we arent at work on 24th, one of us may pop out for last minute fresh veg, bread etc first thing, then I spend the morning pottering, getting the turkey out the freezer (we have a crown from M&S as its the 4 of us) and delivering any last minute cards.

My DS makes breakfast and takes everyone's orders of breakfast muffin and OH will fetch us Starbucks lattes

We have a glass of wine at lunchtime and then choose between us what Christmas movies we are going to watch - usually Polar Express, Fred Claus, Arthur Christmas, and I also started the Christmas Eve hamper tradition last year for DH, DD and DS, they all loved it so am doing it again this year - in it are new pj's, hot chocolate, favourite sweets and a few nice fun bits and pieces.

In the afternoon we play Rudolf Monopoly

As it starts to get dark the kids hang their stockings (sacks) on the fireplace and we have our traditional CE buffet tea, the children choose what they would like from M&S and I save vouchers and cash throughout the year for it. DH opens a bottle of champagne and we bring up Norad Tracks Santa on the pc and Ipad so we can keep track of where he is.

We watch Caroles From Kings usually, then we watch Christmas movies until bed time.

Since it has been going Ive made a tradition of taking a screenshot of Norad Tracks Santa at whatever point he is at when I go to bed on Christmas Eve and keep them

I remember Christmas Eve's when the children were small putting out reindeer food, looking at the stars for signs of the sleigh, and several times it being foggy and the children wondering if Rudolf will be deployed

Its still magical now they are older and Im determined to keep it that way, we put our tree and decorations up late November and the children have advent boxes and calendars.

Love hearing all your wonderful Christmas Eve plans!

xxxx