Every year our sons have had the same Christmas Eve traditions. Candlelight service at church. New last year was Older Son as Joseph. Then at home they would spread reindeer food on the lawn, get in their PJs, sit on the couch with Hubby and listen to “A Visit with Saint Nicholas”. Then, they’d put out cookies and milk on the “Santa china”. Finally, pictures were taken next to their empty stockings and they’d scurry down the hall to bed.
Younger Son had his last Christmas knowing Santa the first way one knows Santa. Both boys moved to the next level of knowing Santa at the age of eleven. The key was the fact that Santa brought presents and the tree. When they were quite young there were no questions. As they got older and heard the rumors at school, they figured there was no way we could hide a tree.
But they are 14 and 12. Older Son embraced the new way of knowing Santa at 11 and helped his brother get to 11 too.
This year our sons began new Christmas Eve traditions. Candlelight service at church. Again this year Older Son was Joseph. Then at home they helped decorate the tree while watching A Christmas Story, then sat on the couch with Hubby and listened to “A Visit with Saint Nicholas”. They put out cookies and milk on the “Santa china”. Each opened one present. Finally, pictures were taken next to their empty stockings. And pictures next to Krampus, another new tradition.
Older Son walked down the hall to bed. Younger Son walked downstairs to bed.
These changes are why I keep Christmas past, present, and future in my heart.
Happy Christmas to y’all and to y’all a good night.
ohbloodyhell8 
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