[deezelpope]

We always opened gifts on Christmas Eve when I was growing up, so I passed that tradition on to my kids.

I totally agree with Dean.:up: Since I got remarried 2 years ago, my husband and I decided to be more practical about gifting: only our kids, get gifts. This year, since we've got two "adopted" daughters along with my biological kids, we're giving hand-made gifts, fleece knot blankets for the 4 kids, which I've made myself. That's it. Seeing and spending time with family is what's important on Christmas.

I LOVE having a real tree with that smell. But I hate cleaning up the needles, even though I love that you can smell that Christmas smell whenever you turn on your vacuum thereafter until you replace the bag. This year, however, we'll be putting up our fake little tree...we've got no space for a real tree, sadly.