Do you have a tradition for the Winter Solstice or Christmas Eve?

[Mairte]

I mentioned solstice but Christmas Eve/Day is when we get together with family out at my parents place in the country. The house is filled to the brim with family. And thats no lie since the family is HUGE! Seems all of December is one thing or another.(This past weekend was my fathers 70th birthday party and next weekend is making gingerbread men/caroling/going back to the house for hot chocolate and cider. Then Christmas...then the family New Years Eve party...)
Christmas Eve, again is lighting luminaries, a meal of clam chower, and then opening presents for whoever is there. The next day is when everyone who wasnt there the night before shows up, a big family dinner, opening more presents.
But the best part is being with the people I love. There is a lot of laughter and excitement but also tears, memories of those that are no longer with us.
Eek. By the time the holidays are over I am emotioned OUT.

[Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia]

Yip... Molden makes one fyne reporter... what he said! 

[DonaCatalina]

well so much for meat pies....the butcher shop where I have ordered stuff for years has been sold and they no longer do custom orders. So unless Central Market comes through for me, no pork roast meat pies.