What are some frugal holiday traditions that you've kept going in your family?  I think it would be neat to talk about what other's traditions are, and maybe some of us might choose to adopt one or two and start our own family traditions.

Just two off the top of my head, the most frugal being burning the bayberry candle for good luck.  Here's a website that sells them, but explains the tradition: http://www.alleghenycandles.com/bayberry_candles.html

We used to do the Peppermint Pig in our family, but I haven't since I moved.  I think I might do it this year because it will be something new for DB.   The pig gift packs aren't cheap (between $13 - $20 for the pig, velvet bag, and hammer to break it), but its a fun tradition. 

I wonder if I could find a mold and make the big myself? Hmmm...

We gather at my younger sister's on Christmas Eve to have a meal of sausage sandwiches and other holiday goodies, and after we do presents.  We have played "Dirty Bingo" as a gift exchange.  Then dbil reads Night Before Christmas, and his children read their kids that this year, tradition passed down at least four generations now.  Then disburse to your own churches.

In the last few years our family has done what we call "Chinese Christmas"..(don't know where the name came from, so sorry if that may be offensive to anyone..it's just what we've heard it refered to)...it's a fun gift exchange game... I'm sure all of you have probably heard of it, or of the same concept, maybe by a different name, but here is a link that describes it. This is a fun and frugal way to handle exchanging gifts. http://www.amazing-christmas-ideas.com/chinese-christmas-gift-exchange.html 

We read the Christmas story out of Luke and Matthew before opening presents. This was torment when I was a child, but now is my favorite part about Christmas. As a teen, I began asking for more and more sections to be added to the reading. Now there's a well-established ritual - I beg for Isaiah 9 to be read, my parents protest, my siblings and husband join in my begging, and Dad gives in.

We always open one present on Christmas Eve after we have dinner.

When we were younger, there was a small stone church near-by that did candlelight services for Christmas.  We went on Christmas Eve several years and it was always moving and beautiful.  There was no electricity, just a big pot-bellied woodstove in the middle of the sanctuary, and candles everywhere.  The carols were ethereal and the only sermon that I can remember all of vividly was at that church on Christmas Eve about 10 years ago.  I can still remember it like I listened to it this morning.  I believe my folks and brother still go there every Christmas Eve.  If we lived closer we'd probably go too.

Our holiday season starts off with looking for light displays to drive thru. The city water and power company does a long drive-thru in a park near here.  My grandson really loves it.  There are other neighborhood displays that we go thru also.  Edey

My SiL had always bought new pajamas, robes and slippers every year for the kids to put on when they went to bed Christmas eve. That way when they got up for opening presents they would look good in the pictures they would take. The grandchildren now get the same thing.  Edey 

 

I wish my now-husband had thought of that. He proposed to me at the Christmas tree; I was ambushed in my pajamas, and all the pictures prove it! I said to my mother later (the shutterbug for the event), "Why did you keep it a secret? If you had *really* loved me, you would have told me to change my clothes!"

My family also does the "gift exchange game", after a pot luck dinner at my house.The little kids get small stuff, (I make gift bags with coloring books,crayons,small toys I pick up through the year.)They enjoy watching the adults laughing and having a good time. We do 5.00 gifts, and the most popular ones are usually candy tins, chocolate, or silly games. I have lots of wonderful memories of these get togethers over the years, watching all our kids grow up.                                                                                                                                  Donna

Donna, I think it adds to the family time because it brings everyone together to focus on one thing. It's the highlight of Christmas Eve for us all. That, and watching the kids open their gifts.