Christmas Rituals

When our lad was small and grandparents we still with us, we extended his Christmas over the three families. Christmas day at my mum's with all the grandparents presents, then boxing day at home with the presents from P and I, then on the next day or so over to P's parents with all their presents. He was the envy of all his pals having three xmas days.

Night Before Christmas was a tradition at ours as well. These days it's the food that's a tradition rather than actions. Must have dozens of mince pies made to grandma's special recipe. She used to make masses, and I seem to have adopted the mince pie mantle. Son and DiL usually spend the day helping make them but not this year. Asparagus rolls for Xmas tea are a must, although sourcing tinned asparagus was quite a chore this year, it's obviously out of fashion. In years gone by I would make and decorate Christmas cakes, perhaps at least a dozen, now I haven't make a cake at all. P has a passion for home made cheese crisps, which get rolled out the week before Christmas. My treat is butter.