This year we tried out a number of new Christmas Traditions. Here's a list of things I'd do again:
-We burned the last of our advent candles down while saying a family rosary on Christmas Eve. In the morning I traded the purple & pink candles for fresh white candles.
-The kids & I made cupcakes for Jesus' birthday and blew up balloons.
-I sang at Midnight Mass. Jon stayed home with the kids and watched Mass with our beloved Pope.
-In the morning we opened only the stockings. Then we got dressed for church.
-We attended Christmas Morning Mass, instead of Christmas Eve. What a happy difference.
-We opened presents after we got home for church.
-I got the large shrimp tray. Thank goodness because I ended skipping cooking the main meal. (Or duck a'la orange is happily frozen for New Years Day.)
Things I didn't get done, but wish I did:
-Family Picture Christmas Cards
-Baking Christmas Cookies
-Finished Maria's needlepoint stocking before she learns how to read (this year she had to use her Dad's stocking)
-Praying the Antiphons all seven nights, not just for five.
Things I never want to do again:
-Go to five stores looking for the right size of rechargable batteries