A Come As You Are Christmas

Christmas in our family has always been very traditional.  Twelve layer chocolate cake, chicken and dressing, greens and corn bread, spiral cut ham.  My entire life, Christmas Eve was spent at mama and daddy's house.  They passed away and things changed.  The food stayed the same but things changed.  It just never was the same again without mama and daddy.  My sister quickly stepped up and started having Christmas at her house and for many years now it's been a new tradition to spend Christmas Eve with her and her family.  It's probably my husband's most favorite night of the year.  He loves going to her house and we love being there together. 

I've always wanted to do something fun at our house but could never quite come up with a good idea.  Then, this past Christmas it hit me.  "Let's do a Come as You are Christmas Breakfast!" When I told my husband, he said, "Now you know that no one is going to drive out here in the country with their pajamas on and no make up.  As a matter of fact, I'll bet you that no one will do that..."  Well, the bet was on and I emailed all the ladies in my family and secretly told them what he'd said.  I knew they wouldn't let me down and sure enough, Christmas Eve morning they arrived with pajamas on, rollers in their hair and no makeup.  As a matter of fact, even all the men wore their pajamas!  Sweetie was the ONLY one that didn't have his pajamas on!  I could collect on his bet!

And what fun we had!  We ate a wonderful homemade country breakfast, complete with rotel and cream cheese grits, biscuits, smoked sausage, hash brown casserole and lots of other breakfast goodies.  Then, we had the "Jammie Awards".  You know, like the Grammy Awards, but without the famous Red Carpet.  Each girl that showed up in her pajamas received a special award, had to give their award winning speech and received a little gift. 

In addition to going to sister's house, it was apparent we had started a new Christmas tradition and I'll be counting the days until we can do it again next Christmas.  Have you ever had something make you happy on the inside?  This was one of those times for me and every time I look at our picture, I smile again.  The older I get, the more fun life is thanks to my crazy family!