Christmas Eve Gift

We have a tradition in our family for Christmas Eve. If you say the words "Christmas Eve Gift" to someone first, then they are required to give you a gift on Christmas Eve. Once you Christmas Eve Gift someone, then you are safe from being Christmas Eve gifted back. I am not sure how this tradition started or why but it has been a source of fun and games to "outwit, outplay, and outlast" the other family members throughout the years. I can remember before caller ID answering the phone everytime it rang with "CHIRSTMAS EVE GIFT!" to someone's complete surprise and bewilderment. But eventually, after explaining the tradtion several times, one of my parents would unwittingly call and before they could get the words out, I would have them cornered. Another gift! HA!!!

So, this morning at 6:00 a.m., Bibianna with some covert help from her father, Christmas Eve Gifted me before I was even completely conscious. Carolyn, on the other hand, had to be coached to get out of bed and come see her Christmas Eve gift! Bibianna got a Wonka Gingerbread House kit so that she and her father can revive another tradtion that we haven't done in about 3 years. We used to bake all our own gingerbread and Joey would spend hours on just the right design, but as adulthood and careers have consumed more of our free time and energy, I thought that a pre-made, ready to assemble kit would do the trick. Joey still spent some time on ideas to "modify" the kit and he and Bibianna went to the store bright and early to purchase more candy. They also made their own fondant for the roof to make it look like a snow covered cottage.

Carolyn, my vegetarian child that lives on smoothies and milkshakes, received a wave station for her Christmas Eve gift. No more ice chunks, the box promises, and the decanter has a cool spicket at the bottom perfect for dispensing those frozen concoctions.

Bibianna also got in on the action, (although technically, according the rules, she is safe because she Christmas Eve Gifted all of us first), and gave Carolyn and I christmas PJ pants. YAY!!!

So, movies yesterday and Monday were "Fred Claus" and "Horton Hears a Who." Not sure yet quite what is on tap for tonight, other than midnight mass at 11:00 p.m. (?) but I am enjoying the lineup that has been playing on Turner Classic Movies.