[sharlibird]

The couple of weeks before Christmas are spent making cinnamon spice ornaments and homemade Christmas cookies (3 different kinds).

Christmas Eve day, I usually try to play Christmas movies and music all day instead of just letting kids watch cartoons and play video games. Christmas Eve dinner is just "whatever", depending on what kind of day we've had. After dinner, we allow the children to open 2 presents (with 5 children, we allow 2 small gifts - 1 from the girls & 1 from the boys).

Christmas morning, we do "Santa" stuff first; then Mom & Dad presents. Thank goodness my kids are not real "big" breakfast eaters...with all 7 of us opening presents, it takes quite a while! Then I make waffles/pancakes, hash browns, eggs and bacon for a brunch about 11:00am.

Then we spend about an hour on the phone with my mom, dad and sisters talking about what everyone got for Christmas. And, of course, the kids are playing with their toys and/or trying on clothes.

The main Christmas meal is usually served between 4:30 and 5:30pm (what with eating late brunch and snacks from the stocking and traditional Christmas cookies, who needs more than 2 large meals in one day?). I cook a large turkey (about 20 lbs), candied yams, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, rolls or homemade bread, corn pudding, sweet potato pie, chocolate pie. And of course, I can't forget to serve cranberry sauce with the meal.

Merry Christmas to everyone!