Oh Linda....I thought our family was the only one who still did this. I waited until midnite last nite and e-mailed all my kids a "Christmas Eve Gift" and we always answer the phone that way this morning. Wonder where this tradition started? It's been in my family as long as I can remember. Where do you live? I am in OKLAHOMA. As our kids married we had to initiate the new inlaw with this tradition. Most of them had the blankest look on their face when we shouted "Christmas Eve Gift". We have surely got to be cousins! Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas....it looks like we have an ice storm headed our way. Mary Marler Winham ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda Haas Davenport <lhaasdav@mindspring.com> To: <ARMARION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2000 6:57 AM Subject: Christmas Eve Gift!! > "Christmas Eve Gift" Everyone <g> > > Don't understand? Well, in our family we have a long Christmas Tradition > that goes like this. > > The idea is to be the first person to say to another person "Christmas Eve > Gift" on Christmas Eve. The "loser" then gives the "winner" a small token > gift. When the kids are little it's a real gift. A single piece of candy, a > penny, a walnut or a pecan wrapped in foil - it doesn't matter what it is as > long as it's small and shinny. For the adults it's simply the fun of the > game although the "loser" usually gives the "winner" a big hug. > > Early morning phone calls are the rule for family members who are not > actually in the house on Christmas Eve. A sleepy "Christmas Eve Gift" rather > than a "hello" is usually greeted with groans and lots of laughter from the > caller. Or loud cheers and "gotcha" from the caller if the phone is answered > with a "Hello". It's all great fun and everyone looks forward to this > Christmas Eve game in my family. > > The kids especially enjoy this and even the shyest child will soon run to > the door to greet the person on the doorstep with shouts of "Christmas Eve > Gift"! It is necessary for all adults to have a pocket full of "gifts" and > it is required that grandparents always be the "loser"! > > GOTCHA! <LOL> .... I'm the winner this Christmas Eve so I expect lots of > hugs and well wishes!! And to all of you "losers" here is my Christmas Eve > gift to you .... > > A huge hug and my wish that you have a wonderful, happy and joyful > Christmas! > > Linda > > lhaasdav@mindspring.com > Home.page http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~haas > Marion.Co.AR http://www.rootsweb.com/~armarion > List hostess for -h.a.a.s/l.e.w.a.l.l.e.n/w.a.s.h.i.n.g.t.o.n n.c > Interested in Construction? Check out my new book - "The Scopes of Work" at > http://www.builderbooks.com/bbstore/index.icl >