One of my favorite traditions while growing up was our Christmas Eve celebration.  It always started with the children's mass at church, even when we did not have any children with us.  Then we would all go back to the house and Santa would visit us each and every Christmas Eve.   It was my most favorite part of the holiday season.  Each and every one of us, young and old, sat on Santa's knee, gave him a kiss, and got a gift in return.  We would take a group shot before Santa left. Next, we opened all our gifts followed by snacks and card games late into the night.   While Christmas Eve's now are different than they were, we still try to incorporate Santa's visit in my immediate family when we can.

This tradition didn't just start in my generation, Santa even came when my Mom was young.

When my Mom was young, it was her Dad, my Grandpa, that always dressed up as Santa.  This photo is of my Mom and 3 of her siblings.  When my Mom sent me the photo, the resemblance between her and I as young girls was uncanny.  She is on the far left in the photo.


When my Grandpa passed away it was a tradition that the family wanted to continue in his honor, the question was, who was going to be Santa?

You see, my Mom comes from a family of women.  My Grandma has 5 daughters and 2 sons.  Of the 2 sons, neither was home for Christmas on a regular basis.  In the end, my mom volunteered.  Thirty years later and my Mom still dresses up as Santa Claus every year we come home for the holidays.

In the early days, my mom would go downstairs with my Grandma to put on the outfit and have a shot of whiskey to tame the nerves.  For real.

Each year, every person got a photo with Santa.  This is my brother sporting a mullet and a perm.  For a boy, he had more hairstyles then I care to remember.



This is me at about 20 years old.  Notice the very high slit in my skirt in this photo. This was shortly after I lost all my weight and my clothes got a little tighter and shorter.  I sure hope Santa gave me a few fashion tips before giving me my gift!


Notice Santa's glasses in this photo.  'He' always came from outside so the younger kids could watch from the window.  It must have been particularly cold this winter as his glasses were all foggy.

Each year we also snapped a photo with the group that was celebrating Christmas with us that year.  It varied from year to year with the exception of a core group.  Santa always made us sing a Christmas carol before he left.  Usually We wish you a Merry Christmas.


Some years Santa would even dress up in crazy hats and glasses.  The look of my Grandma's face is priceless.  Maybe that was the year that Santa had his mustache over his nose instead of under.  Maybe too many shots of whiskey?


When we added new family members, they got to take part in the new tradition as well.  I think the first time a grown man has to sit on Santa's knee since childhood is somewhat priceless.  This is the first time James came home for Christmas with me and got to sit on his MILs lap and give her a kiss on the cheek....


For Grady's first Christmas, Santa made a special visit to our house.


And for Cooper's as well.  He was only 7 weeks old for his first Christmas.


This may be one of my favorite Santa photos: