Christmas Eve

Gracie Smith
MSMU Class of 2027

(12/2024) Christmas Eve is one of the most memorable nights for children around the world. As for my family, Christmas Eve is not only the most memorable night, but the most traditional. Since before I was born, my family would host a big Christmas Eve party. Everyone would gather at my grandparent’s house and celebrate the night before Christmas. There would be food and appetizers galore, drinks for everyone’s fancy, and sweets to satisfy even the pickiest eater. Let’s just say, no one ever left hungry. The house is filled with the brightest spirits, the warmest smiles, and the happiest of hearts.

This tradition goes as far back as my grandparents hosting Christmas Eve when my mother was little. My mother always says how she would watch Rudolf and other Christmas entertainment all day just to stay out of my grandmother’s way, and to attempt to make the time go by faster. Several years later when my mother had grown up, on Christmas Eve of 2003, my parents had announced their engagement; my father had proposed the day before so they could share in the excitement with their family. Little did everyone know that that was going to be one of the last Christmas Eve’s at my grandparent's house before my mother took over the tradition upon welcoming me into the world.

Christmas Eve of 2005, my first Christmas, and my parent’s first time hosting the infamous Christmas Eve party, with a baby nonetheless, was certainly one for the books. Despite my lack of attention to it all, I do believe it was a success; surely I would’ve heard otherwise by either my mother or grandmother. Christmas Eve of 2007 was my little brother’s first Christmas and our first Christmas in our newly built home. With tons of new space for decorations and food, my mother did not miss out on the opportunity to be festive.

Over the years my parents really began to hold our Christmas Eve tradition close to their hearts. So much so, that we have special dishes we use strictly on Christmas Eve. This might not sound so abnormal for some but I do find it amusing. The Christmas Eve plates are used one time a year and remain in our basement for the other 364 days of the year. However, my mom has been very particular about what she likes for Christmas Eve, it all has to be perfect. So much so, that one of my mother’s Christmas presents one year was a hotplate for some of the appetizers we have on Christmas Eve. Add that to the list of things that are seen once a year on Christmas Eve.

As my brother Jack and I grew older, we became easily more restless on Christmas Eve. Watching our parents run around the house cleaning and cooking, we learned quickly that it was best to stay out of the way; as my mother did when she was a child. Then, at 6 o’clock sharp our friends and family would arrive. As the night goes on, the more excited each of us gets.

I remember one year that my dad absolutely blew my mind. Since we do have picky eaters in our family, my parents always go to McDonald’s and get 40 nuggets for the kids. I have to admit, I was one of those picky eaters who ate McDonald’s on Christmas Eve and I was perfectly okay with that. However, a few years ago I caught my dad putting my mom’s homemade crab dip on a McDonald's nugget and he replied simply, "I made Chicken Chesapeake". He continues to enjoy his "Chicken Chesapeake" every Christmas Eve now.

Another more recent story of Christmas Eve takes place in 2019. My cousin Sabrina, a United States Marine, was not supposed to be home for Christmas. That year, my aunt, uncle, and cousin joined us for Christmas Eve. My mother, continuing to work her Christmas magic, was able to help Sabrina surprise her family and be home for Christmas. That year we actually had our biggest turnout, that is, before COVID-19 hit in 2020.

Christmas Eve of 2020 was certainly very different. The only people in attendance were my family of 4, my grandparents, and my uncle’s family from my mom’s side. Instead of mingling with people we didn’t have the opportunity to see very often, we played Christmas games. Off the top of my head, the only two I remember playing are Christmas charades and Christmas trivia. Despite not having nearly as many people there, my parents still had all their usual dishes; ham, crab dip, meatballs, nuggets, chips and dip, cookies, chocolates, fudge, black bottoms, and more that I know I’m forgetting (sorry, Mom).

At the end of the evening, me, my brother, and all of our cousins sit on our couch, and my grandfather sits in the middle to read us all T'was the Night Before Christmas. This is sort of a tradition inside of a tradition if you will, and this tradition goes way back to when my great-grandfather would read to my mother on Christmas Eve. At one point, all of us could fit on the couch because we were so little, but now we’re sitting on top of each other for the sake of tradition. Nevertheless, my grandfather puts on his Santa hat and his Santa beard I made him when I was little, and reads to us all. As the years go by, I find myself not listening to the story anymore and instead listening to my grandfather; his passion, his excitement, and his pure love for our family are some things that get me emotional every year. When he reads the story, everyone goes silent and listens; hearing not his words, but him. One day, it will be me who hosts Christmas Eve, and it will be my father who reads the story to my kids and my brother’s kids. But, for now, I cherish every Christmas Eve when my poppy reads to us.