Old Fashioned Christmas

By Rachel, 14, USA

Deck the halls with shiny balls.
String the popcorn, brew the cocoa.
It's my old fashioned Christmas.
Snuggle with family by the warm fireside.
It's my old fashioned Christmas.
Children anticipate the gifts galore.
Elders in bed begin to snore.
Visions of sugar plums, fairies, and snowflakes.
Striped candy canes, fresh wintergreen trees.
Harmonious carols, freshly baked cookies.
Giving and receiving gifts.
It's my old fashioned Christmas.
Gingerbread pop out of the oven, snow begins to fall.
Children make snow angels in the mounds of snow.
Tree branches embedded in glistening white flakes.
Not an animal in sight.
It's my old fashioned Christmas.
(December 2004)

Christmas Traditions

By Kaylea, 14, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Christmas is my favourite time of the year. Around the end of November or the first of December, We put up our outside lights. My dad goes crazy, with lights all round the windows, garage, and roofing. He puts a red neon tree on the roof, and hangs a star way up high. We also have a 12 foot tall snowman on our front yard. Next, we do the inside of the house. We have our tree downstairs by the fireplace. We put A LOT of lights on that too and several large cartons of ornaments. We have a very large mantel, and on that we make a village using a roll of bating as the snow, and my mom collects those light up houses to make the village. We even have a small skating rink! All through December, I am in charge of the Chrismas tunes. We play them when we make out our cards to family and friends and while we cook fancy meals and bake yummy cookies. Finally, Christmas eve comes. Sometimes my grandparents stay for Christmas, sometimes not. We all stay up late, and when my sister and I have to go to bed, we are so tired we don't care that my parents are staying up later than we are. When everyone is asleep, I carry out my tradition all my own. I quietly go downstairs and look at the beautiful tree, all lighted and with dozens of gifts gleaming underneath it. I stare at the stockings, plump with the smallet of all the gifts, and I look at the tiny village on the mantel, all gleaming, the little people frozen in their happy Christmas time forever. I never touch anything, just stare at all the glamour and sigh. Then I go up to bed and sleep untill early next morning, and I wake up my sister. We are only allowed to go downstairs and open our stockings untill we are all up. The day is filled with laughter and cheer and we all drink coacoa and Dad uses the snowblower on the driveway. It's the happiest day of the year and I certainly could'nt be happier! (October 2004)

What I do at christmas

By Leanne, 14, UK

Hi everybody! I would like to tell you what I do for Christmas. I am writing so before Christmas because I am so excited! It's all I can talk about! On Christmas Eve we go to a pantomime with friends and then out to a restaurant, then after we visit relatives and other friends houses. When we get home we watch tv then when we go upstairs me and my brother find a present on our pillow! We open it and it is Pyjamas so that we look nice for when Santa comes! We go to bed early so Christmas comes quickly. We wake up at 7 'o' clock and we go into mam and dad's room so they can take us downstairs. We see lots of presents in our stocking and under our tree so firstly we open our stocking presents first. Then we move onto the bigger presents, once we have opened all our presents relatives come over for christmas dinner. We play/use our presents and then we eat a traditional dinner of turkey, brussels sprouts, pigs in a blanket, gravy and lots more vegetables! Afterwards I watch many Christmas films and then it's time for bed! I fall asleep thinking of how I can't wait till next year! (October 2004)

Winter

By Michelle, 6, Dayton, OH, USA

Snow is falling from the sky.
Angels singing by and by.
The tree is lit.
What time of year is it?
(December 2003)

Christmas Time

By Ashraf, 13, Darlaston, UK

On Christmas Day I wake up and open my Christmas Presents then watch all the great programmes on Television. Later on we have our Christmas Dinner which is (Halal) Turkey, (Halal) Gravy, Chips, Sprouts and Christmas Puddings. Then we watch Eastenders and other Soaps on Christmas Day. Then we sing Christmas Carols.

Christmas Time
Mistletoe and Wine. (Cliff Richard)
(December 2003)

What do you do in YOUR home at Christmas time?

By Logica, 13, East Sussex, England

On Christmas Eve night we set out the beer and apple pie for Santa. Santa doesn't like mince pies at our house. We also put out carrots for the reindeer. Then we each pin up our stockings up as we go to bed in order, youngest to oldest (there are six children at my home). I put my one up last, as I am the oldest. Then we go to bed early, so that Christmas will come quickly.

On Christmas day we get up early and wait for our mum to say we can go downstairs. We are allowed to open one present from our stockings before breakfast. For breakfast we have cooked breakfast, croissants, or those little cereal selection boxes. Then we open the rest of our stocking presents. Then guests come, like my dad and grandma. Then we open our gifts from under the tree. We are lucky to get lots of presents, as we have many relatives. We put the presents in boxes and carry them up to our bedrooms. Then we have Christmas dinner with Roast turkey, roast potatoes, yorkshire puddings, vegetables, crackling, bacon, sausages, and crackers with hats, toys, and jokes inside them. We all wear our hats. It's a rule. We sometimes have icecream or cake for dessert. Yum yum! Then we go upstairs and play with our toys (when we have cleaned up after the dinner). Soon we are very tired and go to bed. I can't wait till Christmas!

(October 2003)

My Christmas Song

By Kyle, Year 6, Marion Vian Primary School, Kent, England

Decorate the window sills,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.
Santa Claus’s stocking fills,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.
Fill the bowl with Christmas treats,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.
Chocolates, presents, drinks and sweets,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.
Go to all the Christmas parties,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.
Come and see the Christmas dancers,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.
Join us in our Christmas dinner,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.
Then we can eat all together,
Christmas is here so let’s all cheer.

What I do on Christmas

By Jessica, age 12, Stanwood Middle School, Stanwood, Washington, USA

Hi my name is Jessica and I would like to tell you what I do for Christmas. One thing I do for Christmas is on Christmas Eve we get in the car and go look at lights at other people's houses: we go through towns, neighborhoods, and other places. When we get back we get our nightgowns on and we have cocoa. After that my mom tells us a Christmas story and after a story we put the snacks out for santa. We put our stockings up for them to be filled. Then mom tucks us in and we go to bed and in the morning we wake up and there is presents under our tree.We look in our stockings and there are filled stockings. WOW. So thats what we do on Christmas.

Christmas is here

By Vanessa, age 10, 5th grade, Ps.73 School, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Christmas Is Here
Christmas is near
too bad it's once a year
People giving presents and clothes
Christmas Is Here
Christmas Is Here
Family is all together laughing and smiling
People making Christmas cookies cover with crystals covering
Colored in red and green
People going to church and families staying home and eating together
Christmas Is Here
Christmas Is Here

Why I love Christmas!

By Alex, age 6, Class 1, High Beech Primary School, High Beech, Essex, UK

I like Christmas because it is Jesus's Birthday and my daddy's birthday too and we get lots of lovely presents and go to my nanny's house to see my nanny and grandad and aunty and uncle and cousins Charlotte and Emma and we have more presents there. My mummy helps me decorate our Christmas tree which is so lovely and we have moon lights up at the window. We have stockings that hang from the fireside and I make presents for my teachers. I love Christmas so much.

What Special Thing Do You Do At Christmas?

By Miranda, age 9, Victoria Public School, Goderich, Ontario, Canada

The week of Christmas is a busy one for me. I am in a choir and we go from one old folks home to another, singing carols. It gives me a funny feeling inside knowing that I am bringing joy into someone's heart. On Christmas Day, me and my little sister go to the help centre and help serve food. Then we get to open our presents. I wish that everyone could have wonderful Christmas like I do.

Christmas Traditions

By Erika, age 12, French Ford Middle School, Winnemucca, Nevada, USA

Hi! My name is Erika. I am twelve years old. This is what we do for Christmas. we put our Christmas tree up in the house and decorate it. Then we decorate trees outside our house with lights. We buy presents and wrapping paper and Mom and I wrap the presents up. We invite family members to come to my house for Christmas. Mom and I buy grocerites at the store to make our tamales and pasole for Christmas dinner.

Christmas Traditions

By David, age 12, French Ford Middle School School, Winnemucca, Nevada, USA

Before Christmas, my mom puts up the Christmas tree. Then, we put up the lights and ornaments. We put a star at the top. We decorate the inside of the house, too. My grandpa comes for Christmas. We all go to sleep on Christmas Eve. We get up and open presents. Then we have a big Christmas dinner.

Christmas Traditions

By Francisco, age 12, 6th. grade, French Ford Middle School, Winnemucca, Nevada

This is what my family does to get ready for Christmas. We put up the tree and then put on the ornaments. They buy presents for us and we buy presents for them. We wrap them up and put them under the Christmas tree until it is time to open them. Then, we put them away in our room until we play with them again.

Christmas Traditions

By Sean, age 12, 6th. grade, French Ford Middle School, Winnemucca, Nevada

We put up our Christmas tree when we get home from my grandma's after Thanksgiving. We put lights up every day until they are done. On Christmas Eve, we go to church. May grandma, grandpa, and I dress up like Mrs. Claus, Santa, and an elf. My brothers and I open gifts from my great-grandma and my grandparents. On Christmas morning, we open our stockings and go out to breakfast. When we come home,we start the fireplace and then open the rest of our presents. We put the wrappings in a bucket, so we can burn them in the fireplace later.

Christmas Traditions

By Bryson, age 12, 6th. grade, French Ford Middle School, Winnemucca, Nevada

On Christmas, my brothers and I get up at three in the morning. We see our stockings. We wait for my mom and Todd. When my whole family is in the front room, we open presents. We go to church. There is a Christmas party, there, after church. After the party, we go home and open more presents. We say our prayers and we each say what we are thankful for. I say, "I am thankful for my family and friends." Then, we eat dinner. I stay up after everyone goes to bed and play video games on the computer. I sure hope that I get a scooter for Christmas this year with wheels that light up!

From 3rd Grade, Dwight Grade School, Dwight, IL, USA

What do you do in your home at Christmastime?

Every year at my home,I put up my Christmas tree and then I put the ornament on. After I rip my presents open, I play with them. On Christmas Day, I take my tree down.

By Sammy, age 8

What do you do in your home at Christmastime?

When I wake up Christmas Day, I go downstairs and open my presents. then I play with them for 20 minutes and go to church for one hour. Then I go home and play some more . Next, I eat breakfast and go to my grandma's for the play for the weekend, I open more presents and play for the weekend.

By Jamie, 8

Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way?

I do. I go down to Edwardsville, and the whole family comes with gifts. By the time we leave, all the gifts are passed out and of course, you know, opened. Kids love presents!

By Brittany, age 8

What do you do in your home at Christmastime?

At Christmastime we go to a place to get a Christmas tree. Then we go get the ornamants out of the basement. Then we go in the basement and get our little Christmas trees. Then we put our ornaments on our trees. Next, we go to put up our stockings. Then we leave cookies and milk for Santa. Then we write a letter to Santa. Last, we go to bed. The next day, we get up and look to see if Santa wrote back Then we go look in our stockings. Next my family relatives come. Then we open up presents. Then we eat something. Last we go to bed.

By Yale, age 9

Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way in your home?

I celebrate Christmas in a special way at home. My sister and I wake up and then we go wake up my mom and dad. Then we have to wait at the top of the stairs. Until my mom and dad say we can come downstairs. Then we can open our presents. We have to wait because my dad has to get the videocamera ready so he can tape us. Then after we open our presents,we get to choose what we want for breakfast. Then we can play with our toys. After we play with our toys, we have to pick up the wrapping paper Then after 12:00 we get more presents from my my Grandpa, Aunts, and Uncles and cousins. That is how celebrate Christmas.

By Jared, aged 8

How do you celebrate at Christmas time in your home?

First of all we have to get the Christmas tree one week before Christmas! My mom Lavon always has to go Christmas shopping after Thanksgiving day. Last year I got the biggest present! It was my new bike! We open our present big to small
I'm always 2nd.

By Lissacate, age 8

What do you do in your home at Christmastime?

At Christmastime, my family gets our carpet cleaned, changes our furniture around, gets out the tree, and we decorate our house and the tree. I really like Christmas. After we are done inside our house, my family goes outside, and we have a snowball fight. Then we shovel our driveway. Then my family goes inside for hot chocolate. Then my mom sweeps the living room. Next our relatives come over and we have a party! We stay up until 12:00pm. Then we sing Christmas songs and party a little more. Then everyone goes home. That's what my family does at our house for Christmas Eve.

By Rachel, age 9

What do you do in your home for Christmas time?

First my family puts up all the lights in our house. Next we put up all the deckarchions in our house. Then we put up all the deckarchions outside. Next we put up our little Christmas tree and then we put the lights and the Christmas tree ornaments on it.Then finally we put up the big Christmas tree and put its lights on. Then we put on its Christmas tree ornaments.Then after all that we watch our house glow.

By Loren, 9

What do you do in your home for Christmas time?

I like to spend time with my family at home.I like open presents with my family. My family and I like having big dinners at Christmas time. We are going to Missouri and Kansas City this year. So I will have fun! The End!

By Sheila, 8

What do you do in your home for Christmas time?

After Santa Claus comes, I go open my presents in the night. I play in the snow and build snowmans. I build igloos and I play on ice. I decorate the Christmas tree.

By Cody, 8

What do you do in your home for Christmas time?

I wake up. Then I wake up my brothers and sister. Then we go downstairs to see what we got. Then we wake up my mom and dad and we get in a line and open my presents. There are usually presents everywhere! After we open our presents and get dressed, we go to my Grandma`s house and I Get to see my Aunt Marilyn. She lives in Pennsylvania. I get to see my cousins too!
When everybody gets to my Grandma's house, we open some more presents. Then when we are done, we go and eat a big lunch! Then we stay there all day, and play with our new stuff, and I Play on the piano for a while.
I
LOVE
Christmas!

By Chloe, 8

What do you do in your home for Christmas time?

I open my presents, and then my mom takes a picture of us with our toys. Last Christmas, my sister and I played with our toys after we opened them! We got up and had a little fun for one Christmas! Here I will explain how it should go.
1.We open our presents.
2.We get a picture.
3.We play with our toys.
4.Have a good Christmas.

By Samantha, 8

Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way?

Every year I go to my grandma's house,and we go to church with all my family members. Then we come home and eat a really good meal! Then we open presents. We always start with the youngest and go to the oldest.

By Dan, age 8

What do you do in your home at Christmastime?

I get the stuff down from the attic. Then I put the outside stuff up. After that, I dust the inside stuff off. then,I put our tree up.When I am done with that,I put the light`s on it.then the ornaments. After I am done I put my mini tree up in my room. Next,I go shovel snow. Last I wait for santa.

By Blake, age 8

Christmas Tradition

Every Christmas I wake up in the morning, eat breakfast ready for church service. We go to Church to celebrate the birth of our lord Jesus Christ. And because it is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ after Church service we go home and celebrate his birthday by eating different types of dishes that my mother prepares or out to hotels and restaurants just to eat and enjoy the day. We go and visit more friends after that we go to Paster Ndovie's home. They tell us to go and play while my mum and dad and Mrs Ndovie and Paster Ndovie are watching the television. After that we pray and go home. My dad is a Paster too.

By Lissah, aged 9, who recently joined class 3 at Southwold Primary School, Nottingham, UK, after arriving in the UK from Malawi.

What do you do in your home at Christmastime?

I run downstairs and open up my presents. Then I play with my toys. Then when my parents wake up, I put down my toys and fake like I'm sleeping!

By Mark, age 8, Dwight Grade School School, Dwight, Il., USA

The night before Christmas

In my family on Christmas eve we always have 'The night before Christmas' story read to us in candlelight.

When I was smaller we used to have stories such as 'The bear who didn't believe in Christmas' or 'The snow shoe bunnies' from a book my mum received from Canada when she was small.

On Christmas morning we used to line up outside the door to the living room, everyone had to be there before we could go in, and of course eaten a bowl of cereal. My mum and dad used to let me and my sisters put out a glass of sherry and a mince pie for Santa and a bowl of water and a carrot for the reindeer. When we woke up the sherry was gone and the mince pie had a bite out of it, the carrot was just a few slithers and some water was spilt.

One Christmas my older sister took my green toy rabbit and shoved it up the chimney, when quizzed about this she replied 'To see Father Christmas.'

I know it's getting close to Christmas when I can smell the central heating and the tinsel together.

By Stephanie, Year 11, Trinity Upper School, Northampton, England

Hi, I'm Dave

At 6.00 am we have a full English fry-up. At 9.00 am we go to church until 10.00 or 11.00. Then we go to my Auntie's for the rest of the day. We eventually get back at midnight and drop into bed straight to sleep!

By David, Year 9, Christ the King School Arnold, Nottingham, UK

Four versions of Christmas
from the children in class 3 at Southwold Primary School, Nottingham

At Christmas we put up our decorations and we put up the trimmings on the ceiling. Then we put some sweets in a tub under the tree. At night Santa comes up the stairs and puts the sweets in our stockings. When we go downstairs my dad says Santa has not been and when we go into the living room there is a big pile of presents for me and my sisters and brother. It is special because there is food and loads of presents and we play all day with our toys.

We go to my grandads at Christmas. There are lots of food and sweets on the table. We have a party and we sing on the Karaoke.

My grandads dogs have to stay in the cage because they will tip our new toys up and then we would cry.

I think that it is fabulous because it is Gods birthday and we all have our dinner together. Then we go out in the snow and play snow ball fights.

By Esther, aged 9

At Christmas we put up decorations. We put up the Christmas tree. I put lovely decorations on the tree. I like Christmas. I have to make the house lovely. I put the lights on. I put the fairy on the top of the tree. I celebrate Christmas too.

By Katie, aged 8

At Eid we can get anything I want but we have to fast for a month. It is really hard. You cannot eat until 12.00 ( midnight ) but when it is Eid it is really good. For Eid I want a Nintendo 64 game or I might get a playstation and Crash Bandicoot 3.

By Mohammad, aged 9

At Christmas I go to visit my grandma and grandad to tell and show them what I got for Christmas. We stay at my grandmas house for a bit of dinner.

We all have a cracker each to pull with someone. Me and my sister help my grandma decorate the tree. It is a little tree but it is good fun to decorate. On Christmas Eve I can never get to sleep because I cannot wait until Christmas Day. On Christmas Day I rush downstairs and open my
presents. I always open the small presents first. Christmas is good fun. I like Christmas.

By Bianca, aged 8

What do you do in YOUR home at Christmas time?

Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way?

Do you celebrate Hanukkah or another festival at the end of the year?

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