My husband and I always open our gifts on Christmas eve.  My grandmother always hosted a Christmas party on Christmas eve so opening the gifts on that day reminds me of her.

My mother has a top secret recipe for dinner rolls that she makes that are a highlight of the holiday season.

My kids adopted an elf on the shelf a few years ago and it still makes an appearance

I did some holiday crafts on campus this year that I am giving as gifts.

​@pamelalbeck elf on a shelf - I’ve got a deep love/hate relationship with ours, but at the end of every season it is a definite highlight at our house too!

Ah yes, I feel the same.  This kids love it though!

Growing up my mom’s side of the family all lived in the same city.  Every Christmas Eve we would participate in a progressive dinner followed by presents (one had appetizers, one had dinner, and one had dessert) at each family’s house.  Then we would conclude the night with the midnight candlelit church service.  It was always a beautiful night!

Now with my kids, this is the first year they are old enough to really understand “Elf on the Shelf” but also still fully believe.  The magic that they held December 1st for its first visit really was awesome to experience!!!

Every Christmas as a child, my late great-grandmother taught us the art of candy-making—mints, cordial cherries, turtles, caramels, and more. Now, I only have a few hours to spare, so we stick to making mints to bring to family gatherings. But this year, I’m taking a few days off to go all out. The kids and I are making the full spread, and everyone will receive a special Christmas box filled with homemade treats as gifts. 

December has brought a slew of new moments in my life as I’ve aged. Celebrating the night I met my future wife, first night in my first purchased home, adopted our first pet, news of our first child! Even more so, all of those things happened on a Dec. 31st.

We always wake up in our home on Christmas day (even if that means leaving somewhere very late Christmas Eve). We open stockings and I force my family to wait until breakfast is made and eaten to open presents and we watch the Christmas parade.  I also try to get in at least one Christmas movie a day in December (White Christmas and Elf are my top picks but Halmark channel is always my go to).

When we go to my extended family’s home we have a saran wrap ball for all the cousins (and now their significant others) and a white elephant gift exchange. We play board games most of the day. This year we are playing an Ugly Christmas Sweater murder mystery so we’ll see how it turns out.

Over the past 3 years, my boyfriend and I have developed a lovely tradition of visiting Christmas markets. It has become a cherished ritual that allows us to explore numerous talented artisans, purchase unique gifts, and support local businesses

Additionally, watching the movie The Grinch is what truly gets me into the holiday spirit, as it remains my all-time favorite holiday movie. 

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story playing while we decorate the house and Chinese carryout on Christmas Eve. Not sure when it started, but I can remember a paper grocery bag of carryout and many days of leftovers as far back as middle school (late 1980’s).

Wear cozy clothes and enjoy pizza while watching “Home Alone” series.

Diwali for sure is my best holiday. I love home-made Gulab-Jamun, that’s why it counts as my best holiday food.

Greetings of the festive season to friends across the world!

Diwali is best time here in India, where we have holidays, spend beautiful time with family that starts with decorating our houses, prepare special snacks and meals at home, buying gifts, we do Lashmi ji pooja and the next day we meet our relatives to wish them Diwali and happy first day of Hindu New Year.

For me it's more special now because of my son. He likes the lights, fireworks and sweets OfCourse!!! . 

What else you want than your little munchkin’s smile!

This year will be special in that regard for us. We moved countries and it will be the first holydays completely away from family, close or extended, and friends and a lot of the traditions we used to have won’t be possible.

We’ll get to create new ones!

Whenever December hits, my memory goes back to my school life. In India, December is when your exams are over and holidays begin. Only at this time of the year, school students will enjoy the most. All schools will be holiday, you will be getting new friends in neighbourhood. Christmas Eve, Cakes, New Year eve, etc...

I'm starting with the naughty elf for the first time this year. I hope this becomes our new tradition. Happy holidays

As mentioned by a few of the Indian team members, December is a very special time for everyone, especially for children, who get to enjoy Christmas and New Year's vacations. This month is quite cold in India, resulting in very pleasant and beautiful weather.

Many of us feel very positive during this month, as it marks the end of the year. We take the time to reflect on all the beautiful memories and moments we've experienced throughout the year and prepare ourselves for the upcoming one. Over the past few years, Christmas celebrations in India have become increasingly popular, and people are enjoying and participating in them with full enthusiasm.

Below are a few pictures to capture the spirit.
 

One of my favorite December traditions to make as a family is to make tamales.

I like to sit in sunlight with family in December and eat peanuts :)

I am so excited for the Holiday season. Especially, Christmas because the entire vibe is crazy. The good food, family time, secret santa, etc. I’m sure I will feel blue once it is over. 

agreed ​@Chhavi_Ch . Hope you had wonderful Diwali :)

​@kgillis, good description of the Elf on the Shelf. My husband and I have held out on taking on this herculean task of thinking up/setting up new things nightly for the elf and instead just hide two other Christmassy stuffie things around the house for the kids to find. Phew.

My favorite tradition is definitely the Christmas tree and it has to be a real one. It smells so good in the house and it instantly put a Holiday vibe at home with all the lights on!

I don’t like winter much but I do enjoy decorating for Christmas inside and outside.  My daughter and I have had a tradition of making cookies together the week before Christmas since she was a little girl.  We have made some great memories.  The picture is an old metal milk can I decorated.

I love celebrating Christmas with my family, especially enjoying the cozy traditions of decorating the tree, exchanging thoughtful gifts, and savoring holiday meals together. It's a special time to reflect on kindness, joy, and gratitude.

Both my husband and daughter have birthdays in early December so we usually hold off on decorating for Christmas until after the streamers are down and cake has been consumed! Our traditions include finding and cutting a pine tree (you can’t beat that scent) from Lunenburg County (the Christmas Tree capital of the world!) and making specific treats that are only made at Christmas time like sugar plums, shortbread cookies, and beer cheese spread. Can’t wait for the holidays!