Gitzen Girl - Latest Comments in http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

nancygrayce — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:04:00 -0000

Growing up in a family of 6 children, we got only one big present from Santa which we always got on Christmas morning since it WAS from Santa! But every Christmas eve, we got to pick one present from our parents to open....mama always managed to have us open the one with new pj's so we would look nice on Christmas morning for pictures.

I followed the same tradition in my own family...we always had Santa on Christmas morning. I loved Santa because he NEVER had to wrap presents. We too, let our boys open one gift on Christmas eve.

One tradition my mother had that I wish I had carried on, is that she baked a birthday cake for Jesus and we celebrated His birthday before any presents. So we had cake before Sunday School!

I'm new to reading your blog and I love the canvasses. Do you sell them?

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

The Alberts — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:54:00 -0000

Growing up, we always opened one present on Christmas Eve after church. It was always our calendar for the next year. Since getting married, I don't get a calendar from my husband, so we just open everything Christmas morning. The only compromise we've had to make is the manor in which we open gifts. Growing up my brother and I had a free for all. Now with 3 girls, my husband insists on doling out gifts one at a time. Kind of drives me nuts because it takes forever, but we get to appreciate everyone's reactions to their new stuff.

Just found your blog last week. Really enjoying it!

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Dena — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:43:00 -0000

We did not have to compromise when we got married, both families celebrated different days, so it always was very easy.
We open presents on Christmas Eve from family, after attending a church service and then Santa comes on Christmas morning and leaves unwrapped gifts. I told my children once they started having children of their own, Santa would only come for the grandchildren, but it didn't work out that way. My kids just can't let Santa go, so now Santa comes for kids and our beautiful granddaughter. My concern is as we get older, how are we going to stay up till everyone has gone to sleep, in order for Santa to come?? We may have to go to bed and set the alarm!!
Hope everyone has a blessed Christmas!!

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Tom and Nancy — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:37:00 -0000

We both grew up opening gifts on Christmas morning so never thought about doing it differently with our own kids. Now, one son and his family come to our house each Christmas while the other son and his family alternate years between us and her family. So far, they are all still willing to travel for Christmas. And when that changes, I hope we will remember to gracefully change with the times.

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

mbs and j — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:04:00 -0000

We open our gifts on Christmas morning and no change there after I got married. Once we had the kiddos, we all open one gift Christmas Eve - and it's always new pajamas! Last year we got my son red "Cars" pjs and discovered later on Christmas day, that they had rubbed off red all pver his new stuffed beagle pup AND his bed covers! No more red pj's that aren't washed first!
Hugs to you for your constant inspiration to us all and a blessed and merry holiday to you!!
Beth Ann

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

sue — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:56:00 -0000

Christmas morning. though Mom and Dad allowed us to choose one gift on Christmas Eve, I think it was just to get us to "shut up." LOL

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

LADY JANES' EMPORIUM — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:56:00 -0000

I came here to you from Coloradolady,and what beautiful memories have I found....and your things are beautiful...and oh your pup...it would be an honor to win a canvas from you...and share a memory!
Noni's Birthday was Christmas Eve...so we would gather for the birthday party first...our All Italia family was large then...and such sweet memories of the "Birthday" tablecloth being removed...the Christmas Tablecloth going on...the chesnuts going in the oven,the Tom and Jerry bowl arriving to the buffet...and the presents coming down from Noni's Secret Closet....
Our Poppa gleamed with delight as we all opened our gifts...he was ESPECIALLY fond of seeing his first great-great grandchild (my daughter Jen) open her gift. Poppa at 92 was like a kid again with my Jen...what I would not give to have one more Christmas at Noni and Poppas! And still to this day...at my house on Christmas Eve as our family is that of few we sing happy birthday to Noni..send Poppa a hug....Drink Eggnog with a "saluta" to him...and tear into those christmas gifts....
I am single but have dated the same wonderful man for 15 years...he thank God is willing to do whatever my little heart desires...

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Denise — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:23:00 -0000

For the last several years, we've been all over the place for the holidays. We lived 2 hours away from family, so would usually spend the 24th-26th visiting both sides of the family. We always did our family Christmas on the
23rd, and then left Santa a note to meet us at grandma's.
This year we still live 2 hours away, but we are making two separate trips to visit our families on Christmas Eve and then again on Christmas Day . . . because we SO WANT TO BE AT OUR OWN HOUSE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING!! My children are 5,3, and 1, and I just want to have the memory of waking up at home Christmas morning, coming down the stairs, having time to open and play and eat breakfast, going to church with our own family, etc. etc. They're young for such a short time that, to us, it's worth the extra driving that we'll have to endure : )

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Mary Grace McNamara — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:08:00 -0000

Christmas birthing stories are just the best! That one was certainly worth a prize!

We open our gifts on Christmas morning, and in my family when we were children, we did the same. There were 8 children in my family and as the older ones grew up, we would open our gifts after the little ones went to bed on Christmas Eve and leave the morning fun for the little ones.

For a while I talked my husband into opening one gift on Christmas Eve, but we now all wait until Christmas morning.

MGM

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

His Mom — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:48:00 -0000

It really has worked out well for us. His side always celebrated Christmas eve. That was their big day, opening presents that night. Mine was Christmas day.

We decided to open "our" presents Christmas morning, together, in our home. However, we spend Christmas eve night with his side, Christmas afternoon with mine...and Christmas morning as the (now) three of us.

Each moment is special.

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Heidi L. — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:43:00 -0000

We open our presents on Christmas day.

I had to laugh at your comment about friends thinking divorce was an option when trying to work out all the kinks in traditions. Our big marriage compromise, however, was "to wrap" or "not to wrap" Santa presents. It was a very big, heated discussion each year before having children, and for some crazy reason I actually gave in. Our santa gifts come wrapped. Emma's all in plain red paper. Ian's all in plain green. And the funny thing is, now I wouldn't have it any other way...because that is now OUR tradition.

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Coloradolady — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:36:00 -0000

Well, that was a bit of a problem when we first got married. My husbands side of the family celebrated Christmas day as did my own. The first year we were married we had Christmas with his family. I said that was it. So we started a new tradition the next Christmas. Christmas eve with his family, Christmas day with mine. We open presents with our immediate family on Christmas morning usually....however, the last couple of years....it is Christmas eve. I don't know what we will do this year.

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Sherri — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:36:00 -0000

Growing up, we were permitted one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest were for Christmas morning...but mom and dad didn't fuss if "morning" mean 4AM. LOL

My first marriage resulted in two beautiful children as did my husband's first. We ended up celebrating whenever we could get all four kids together...and sometimes that was only an hour or two on Christmas Day. We ran the roads picking up one set and dropping off the other later in the day. 50 miles to my ex-wife-in-law's place and back and then 90 miles to my ex-husband's parents and back.

As a result of this, when our kids had kids we insisted that their children be allowed to celebrate Christmas together in their own homes. And we managed our schedule accordingly.

And through the years, it developed that we would have everyone at our place on Christmas Eve.

This year, my daughter will take over the Christmas Eve tradition and I am looking forward to that.

But, you know, it doesn't matter when or where as long as you're together.

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

mandy — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:09:00 -0000

DANG I MISSED THE FUN!!!

I'm the brat who wants to open presents WAY before Christmas ever arrives.

My husband is the brat who INSISTS on following the rules. All the time. With EVERYTHING. So, no early openings.

Help. I think I married a pharisee.

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Vicky — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:48:00 -0000

Both! But santa doesn't wrap, he shoves as much as he can in the sock or next to it :)

Since I actually had a relationship end over where we would spend Christmas : ) I was willing to compromise and do 1 day here and 1 day there... but his mother was not having it and I told him to honor her request. I guess a part of me already knew...

Anyways, hubby and I had this talk way before we even talked about marriage and we happily agreed to our current arrangement.

Plus, we've discovered Christmas is wherever your family is and now the "how" we do it isn't as important.

Congrats Neas! Thank you Sara for the chance to share about ourselves!

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

jamie — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:45:00 -0000

We always open our gifts Christmas morning after reading the Christmas story together as a family. jamie

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Breezy's Mom — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:03:00 -0000

Growing up my sister & I would open one gift on Christmas Eve after reading about Jesus's birth in Luke. Once we were grown, we started opening on Christmas morning since my sister would be at her in-laws Christmas Eve.

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Sommer L — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:38:00 -0000

We always got to open one gift, of our choosing, on Christmas Eve. It was always a big production because we'd debate FOR-EVER about which gift we wanted to open! Now that I'm about to get married my fiance' and I are sticking with the one gift on Christmas Eve tradition but instead of us picking which one we want to open, the person gets to open the one we give them!

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LV — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:27:00 -0000

On my other comment, I forgot to answer the qustion. That is what happens when you get old. It was always a family tradition that Santa came on Christmas eve and we opened gifts on Christmas day. I still save one for that time.

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

LV — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:23:00 -0000

I would love to win this gift especially since it was made by a very nice person. You have to be very nice or you could not write all the good stuff you do. Have a very blessed holiday season.

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TheHamFamily — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:53:00 -0000

We generally open our immediate family gifts on Christmas Eve but always save stockings for Christmas morning. Then we open gifts with our extended family on Christmas day so we get to spread it out. I really don't ever remember this being an issue in our early marriage but since we are celebrating our 36th Christmas together maybe I have just forgotten! As my mother mentioned above, when we go to Houston to my daughter's we go to the beach at Galveston and open a package. The two dogs absolutely love running on the empty beach. Gay

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

marisa — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:43:00 -0000

We usually open our gifts on Christmas Eve after we get home from my hubby's parents home. We have a drink and relax and open gifts... We dont have kids yet, so its really quite romantic.
It's never really been an issue for us as to what day we open them, we just do whatever we feel like it. :)

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Neas Nuttiness — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:25:00 -0000

Wow - I'm so excited. Thank you so very much. I will hang it proudly. I still would like to buy a canvas from you. You need to go into business!!!
As for todays question:
We have always opened our gifts from the grandparents on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas morning we opened gifts at home with the kids.
Since there are soooooooooo many of us. For several years we had our Christmas Dinner (and gift exchanges) at our church. The last year that we all got together, there were about 45 of us!
This year there will just be me, my husband and child #10. The house will be so quiet, we won't know what to do with ourselves.
BUT, that's the way it's supposed to be...raise your children, so that they can go on to live their own lives - but it still makes me a little sad:(
Thank you Sara, for being a bright part of my day!

Re: http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/canvas-for-christmas-day-2.html

Elizabeth — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:45:00 -0000

When I was growing up we always opened one gift on Christmas Eve (usually pajamas) and the rest of the gifts first thing the next morning. My husband's family stayed up late and opened everything at midnight on Christmas Eve.

Our first Christmas as a married couple was also our daughter's first Christmas and I wanted things done my family's way, even though we were with my husband's family. Needless to say, we fought, things went my way, and that's how we do it now. He compromised more than me in this particular area!

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Tamsen — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:32:00 -0000

Both -- the adults open in the evening and the kids open one or two. Then Christmas morning is for the children. That is until the children become adults. Then It's Christmas eve. And nope, we never had to negotiate. My husband knows what's worth arguing about and doesn't think much is worth it.