Christmas is truly right around the corner and despite my very best efforts I am SO not ready. It never fails! No matter how hard I try I end up doing a mad scramble for those last minute gifts, the crazy house clean and the purchase of new outfits for Christmas Eve. Yes, even though my girls object, we still get dressed up around here for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner. I think it is so important to have family traditions, and I hope my girls will one day look back at their “Mama’s crazy” with huge smiles on their faces and warmth in their hearts. We don’t have a ton of traditions in our family, but the one’s we do have, well I protect them! Here is what my family will be doing this holiday season:
*Every Christmas Eve the children in our house are each allowed to open one gift from under the tree before heading off to dream land. I love that not only does this help build the excitement for Christmas morning, but also helps to prolong the magic! After all, Christmas Day goes by in a flash!
*Christmas Eve also means new PJs for everyone!! From the youngest in the house to the oldest, whether it’s new cozy flannels or a new coveted robe, everyone gets some new pyjama’s for Christmas Eve. *note to self, must buy new jammies.
*Christmas morning of course brings the opening of gifts, but not until the coffee pot is turned on and Cinnamon Rolls are thrown in the oven. We open gifts while indulging in some warm pastries, hot coffee, orange juice and even Christmas Cookies!! Delish!
*Turkey! After Christmas gifts have been opened and hugs and thanks have been exchanged, it’s time to get that big Turkey out and prep it for the oven. Traditionally this falls to the Hubby while I take both pictures and guff for buying the BIGGEST Butterball Turkey I can get my hands on! Our Turkey gets it’s traditional rub down with butter and is popped in the oven. Is there any better smell in the world on Christmas Day then a roasted turkey with all the fixings?
Oh my word!! Have you seen this? Butterball has a recipe posted right now that includes a Cranberry Orange Glaze! Are you looking for a twist on tradition?
This is all you would need:
Roast Turkey with Cranberry Orange Glaze
- 3/4 cup orange marmalade
- 3/4 cup frozen cranberry juice concentrate, thawed
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (14 pound) Butterball® Frozen Whole Turkey , thawed
- no-stick cooking spray
Complete details for this recipe and so many more are available on the Butterball Canada website. Contests, inspiration and turkey talk can always be found on their Facebook Page.
How ever you are celebrating this holiday season, I wish you much peace, love and of course loads of Turkey!!
From my house to yours, Merry Christmas!
This post is sponsored by Butterball Canada. In exchange this review, I have received special perks in the form of products and monetary compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.
I should consider myself lucky. I’ve never had to cook a turkey myself. We always go to my mother’s and mother-in-law’s for some good ol’ oven-roasted turkey!
My girls always get new Christmas jammies too…this is something my brother and I had as kids too.
I hope your Christmas is magical and not ‘crazy’ this year. XOXO
I love your Christmas traditions. Why do I feel like I’m just surviving here? We have none – NONE! Except for decorating a tree and opening presents. I always thought I would have tons of traditions. Maybe it’s not too late to start.
Yummy cinnamon rolls, coffee and then turkey! sounds like Christmas already:-)
Yummy cinnamon rolls, coffee and then turkey! sounds like Christmas already:-)
I love traditions. Your Christmas sounds perfect. I still need to wrap presents but not until I clean the house. With my travels and getting ready for Christmas it is in pretty bad shape. Have a very Merry Christmas….
We always got new pajamas for Christmas! That was the one present we got to open Christmas Eve! I am going to do a post about that sometime!
I still have baking to do and that crazy house cleaning!
We do the new pj’s for Christmas Eve, too. And also coffee int he morning with orange rolls. Love those traditions!
Merry Christmas Stephanie sounds like it is going to be wonderful; ready or not. Enjoy! B
We open one present the night before too! Sounds like you have a great tradition there! Merry Christmas.
I’m all for family traditions cause they create wonderful and unique memories! We also open gifts after coffee is ready and we have a “sweet breakfast”!
We’ve always done the one gift on Christmas Eve too – and it’s always pajamas! And – yikes! – I just realized I haven’t bought them yet!
nice…the pajama tradition sounds really cool actually….we might need to steal that one…ha…we have always traveled but a few years ago we started being home for christmas then traveling…we usually will play games like hide & seek and stuff in the house to wear the boys down…no presents til the day though…blame that on my mom who never let us…merry christmas to your family
Your special moments sound just like mine. Definitely the one gift on x-mas eve before bed, and then fun x-mas jammies all day long on Christmas!! I love it, and can’t wait. A big Merry Christmas to you!
Don’t worry you are not the only one … still so far way from ready I could do with another two weeks i/o a couple of days!
Hope you have a lovely Christmas!