There are three things that I require. All are completely non-optional.
{ Something To Wear }
The first is a new pair of pajamas. I ask for new pjs ever year – oversized and cozy and old man-ish and zero sexy, please and thanks – and every year I try to manipulate the present-opening process so that I can get my hands on the box that I suspect holds said pajamas first. And then I change into them, and wander around in my brand-new pajamas all day long. It is wonderful.
(This year it’s even more wonderful because we spent this past weekend celebrating an early Christmas with my parents, who were visiting. And so now, thanks to my mom and dad, I already own these, and they are at this very moment sitting neatly folded on my dresser, waiting for their inaugural Christmas morning wear. No manipulation necessary.)
{ Something To Eat }
Oh god, this bacon sandwich. This has been happening every single Christmas Day for years now (immediately following the stocking-opening), because it is CRAZY good and especially good when paired with a mimosa and a fireplace and the promise of toys in the near future. (You have to follow these highly specific instructions, though. I swear, it’s worth the extra effort.)
{ Something To Do }
The final thing I require: either a puzzle that the whole family can do together (so much more fun than it sounds like it would be), or a cookbook/cooking-type memoir that I can spend the afternoon curled up with while the turkey roasts. Now, I obviously haven’t engaged in the latter activity in a good four years, because there is no “sitting on the couch all afternoon and reading” when there are two overstimulated, oversugared children in residence, but I guess you never know; maybe I’ll get myself a Christmas miracle this year and have the chance to hang out with my new Ruth Reichl for an hour or two. And if not: already ordered one of these.
So: will you tell me your Christmas morning traditions?? (That’s not a blogger-y “So what are your thoughts?!”-type question – I’m feeling mushy and Christmassy and really want to know.)
