Christmas Doesn't Have to End

First let me point out that I grew up with the wrong information about the holiday stretch of Christmas. Christmas brings with it many variations of customs and beliefs. But in the end, we all strive to celebrate Christ's birth in our own way. For some, the day after Christmas, is when the fun really begins. But let me lay some groundwork.

When I was growing up, we all learned the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I always thought the first day began 12 days prior to Christmas Day, and the 12th day fell on December 25. This misnomer I think I can blame on my school teachers. But that's water under the bridge. I since found out that as tradition has it, the first day of Christmas actually begins the evening of December 24, Christmas Eve. The last, or 12th day of Christmas falls on January 6, which is known as Epiphany or Christmastide.

Now the day after Christmas, December 26, is also known Boxing Day. This is a holiday generally celebrated in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and its Commonwealth countries, including the Bahamas and some Caribbean Islands. Boxing Day holds many traditions depending on the country or region celebrating it. Everything from extended Christmas feasts, to extra gift exchanges, sporting events and giant after-Christmas shopping. Now matter how you slice it, the day after Christmas is a great way to extend the holiday when you just haven't had enough!

If you can brave the long return lines, you'll very likely find great deals. Some families wait until the day after Christmas to buy gifts because of this, saving a lot of money and stretching their hard earned dollars. I personally never buy gift wrap, bows or cards until after Christmas. I buy them for the following year so I am ready to wrap well before I've begun shopping. This saves me a lot of money and that translates to more gift spending dollars.

Since the kids are home from school anyway, this is a great time to sleep in, cook a hearty breakfast and send them out to play in the snow. If you have snow! If not, send them out anyway. They'll be busy enough playing with their new toys. Some families leave the kids at Grandma's, and Mom and Dad can sneak out and buy next year's gifts and bargain prices. Then instead of cooking, again, you can take the clan out for a nice evening at your favorite restaurant. Let someone else do the cooking for a change.

We like to play games and eat more pie! Since I always make extra goodies, there is always plenty of leftover calories just waiting to be consumed. Seems we've been eating ever since Thanksgiving anyway! Time enough for that diet and exercise come January 2nd!

Try taking your family to the movies. This time of year is usually when the last group of blockbusters come out before the new year. If the kids are arguing over which one to see, go to two or better yet, make a contest out of it. Challenge the kids: the first one to clean their room or finish the chores for Mom, gets to choose. Everyone wins.

Christmas is surely not over on December 26. It should live in our hearts 365 days a year. If we celebrate it with thankfulness to the One who came to earth to redeem us, our gift to that baby Jesus should be having the Christmas spirit all the year through.