Christmas Eve is the time our family gets together to celebrate. It has always been a tradition, something that I did when I was living at home with my parents and we have carried it on in our home. Our family gathers for a special dinner and once dinner is cleared away and the dishes are cleaned we sit around the Christmas tree and open gifts. One person starts and then after they open their gift they go and pick out a gift for someone else - each present is opened one at a time. This was started in our home because it was a mad dash to open gifts and this way it slows it down and everyone can see what the other person was given and acknowledge who gave it to them. It does take some time but after all who wants to rush - it's a nice time to be together.
