In our family we celebrate our main present opening in the German/Austrian style of Christmas Eve. The kids go for a walk around the neighborhood and when they come back to the front door they hear the "Christkind"(Christchild) ring a bell, signaling that they can come inside. It is dark, except for some real candles lit on the tree. While they were out for their walk the Christkind brought the presents. We ALWAYS sing a verse of O Tannenbaum and Stille Nacht. Singing Stille Nacht always makes me think of my Grossvati Immo Luschin and of my dad. We open a present and then have our traditional dinner: peas in a cream sauce, rice and ham. When my dad was growing up peas and rice were expensive and a treat, therefore it was special to have them on Christmas Eve. That's what we always ate growing up and I've continued to do, too. It is nice because it is simple and reminds me of my childhood. We had the pleasure of Philipp and Fred's company this year. It was our first married Christmas without one of the sets of our parents. Having Phil and Fred come made it feel more festive!
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| Singing the carols |
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| New hats! |
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| Joseph's present to Theo-a dollar store sword. It was a big hit! |
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| "New" bikes (courtesy of a neighborhood family whose kids were getting new bikes) |
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| The main attraction-a fire station/police station- Thanks Grandma Julie and Opa Hanno! |
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