A few traditions of my inner family got messed up a bit when my parents divorced, but on each side of the family there are still a few:

Mom's Side
They make Brandy slushies. There are always Brandy slushies and you better damn well have one!
They draw names- the "adults" or people over thirty draw names for eachother and then the young'ns draw names for each other.
They talk and stay up until they can't talk or happily drink anymore.

Dad's Side
Always eat dinner before opening presents.
We designate someone as "Santa" for that year and they're in charge of searching around the Christmas tree and handing out presents. Santa gives out presents one by one and the family watches every present get opened one by one. That way we spend more quality time and well...it just is really special! It takes a while, but we all appreciate and now we have "half time" for ice cream.
Speaking of ice cream, every year we place a special order to get black licorice ice cream. It sounds nasty, but OMG it is delicious- and I don't even like black licorice.


I go to church too, but I go to the evening service. Every year I alternate which family I spend Eve with and which family I spend day with, so it just depends! Although this year because of my studying abroad, I'll be spending Christmas Eve with my mother in LA. :3 The marina is soooo pretty when all the boats decorate themselves with pretty lights!