Christmas Eve is a day that I look forward to ALL year long! There are so many fun traditions and there is absolutely NOWHERE else I would rather be, than with my family! As you are planning your events for that special evening, I thought I would help you out a bit with a list of my TOP TEN CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS.
1. Act Out the Nativity – This is a tradition that has been passed down from when I was a little girl. Every year all of the grandkids dress up and act out the Nativity. Mary wears a pink or blue sheet draped over her head holding baby Jesus (a baby doll). She comes into the room riding on a donkey (dressed up in a full blown donkey outfit, but you can just make some paper ears and tail). Joseph walks next to Mary, wearing a brown robe. The wise men hold gifts and wear crowns. The angel wears all white with wings and a halo. I am excited for Laila to participate for the FIRST time this year!
2. Sing Christmas Carols and Hymns – My family LOVES music! We love gathering around together and singing Christmas songs and hymns. I LOVED spending Christmas at my Grandma’s house growing up and singing around the piano with all of my cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles. Those are probably some of my greatest memories! Music just makes me feel good!
3. The Night Before Christmas is Read – My Grandpa always puts on a Santa Hat and reads the book The Night Before Christmas. He doesn’t just read it though – he has a little jam and beat to go with it. We LOVE it and it is so cute!
4. The Elves bring matching pajamas – My in-laws have a fun tradition that I love to be a part of. During the Christmas Eve program the doorbell rings and all of the kids run to the door. Nobody is there, but gifts are left on the doorstep. “Elves” drop off matching pajamas for everyone to put on and wear the rest of the night.
5. Set up a table with milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for the Reindeer – I always LOVED leaving treats out for Santa. I remember Santa sometimes even left me a thank you note. It meant the WORLD to me!
6. Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus – My in-laws started this tradition a few years ago. We make a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. After all, we are celebrating His birth.
7. Open up ONE gift under the tree – Growing up we got to choose ONE gift to open. I remember it was always the hardest decision! It is fun to be able to open a gift and play with it that night before bed.
8. Have a Christmas Talent Show – We started this tradition last year and literally laughed our heads off! We had our very own Davis Family Talent Show. The talents were hilarious and creative. The winner even got a trophy! I can’t wait to see everyone’s talents next year.
9. Eat a YUMMY dinner – It is always fun to gather the whole family together and eat good food! Make it simple! Pizza or sandwiches are always a winner!
10. The FIRST Gift of the Season Tradition – Last, but certainly not least I wanted to share a very special tradition with you. My family places a small, plain box under the Christmas tree each year. It is the most priceless box that we own. Every Christmas Eve, after family prayer, each family member places in this humble box an intended gift to the Savior. No one reads them and no one tells of their gift. It is a personal and sacred promise. When everyone is finished writing, the box is closed and put in its special place under the tree. This simple box with its contents becomes the first gift of the season and it goes to the one who gave us EVERYTHING. What a wonderful way to show our love to our elder brother and friend! The papers stay in the box all year long and the following year you open it up to see what your gift was and how you did that year.
ENJOY planning your Christmas Eve! I hope you all get to spend it with your family and loved ones! Make it the BEST day!
Do you love Christmas Eve? Don’t forget to share these ideas to celebrate! –
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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Chelsea
December 24, 2013 at 1:47 am (11 years ago)I absolutely love the First Gift tradition! What a beautiful way to put the focus on Christ and remind everyone why we give gifts. We’ll definitely be starting that tradition in our family! Thanks for the ideas 🙂
Danielle Davis
December 24, 2013 at 2:09 am (11 years ago)Thanks Chelsea!! I LOVE that tradition and I am SO glad that you like it too! Start it with your family and let me know what they think! Merry Christmas!