Christmas Eve Gift

My family has a crazy tradition -- crazy fun that is. My great-grandma made it up. On Christmas Eve, you try to say the words, "Christmas Eve Gift" to everyone in your family first. If you succeed in this quest, they are supposed to give you a small, inexpensive gift. We all loved this tradition when we were kids. My very fingers would tingle in excitement as I'd creep out of bed, way before sunrise and wait to jump upon the rest of the family as they all awoke. "Christmas Eve Gift!" I'd exclaim as each one emerged, exultant but not too loud so as not to awaken the others and therefore give them the upper hand. I was not always successful in surprising everyone, and my grandma has always been the best at it, almost never getting caught.

As technology advanced and we scattered to the four winds, the tradition almost died. It was too easy to email or text right before going to bed in the wee smas of the Eve. This made me incredibly sad, as it's such a fun thing to do, building the excitement for Christmas all the more. (All of this excitement never aided in my falling asleep any faster Christmas Eve night. I was always awake way past my bedtime, much to the despair of my early-rising mom.) But this year, I decided that you don't let something die because of changes in the world, you let it evolve. So utilizing Facebook as my tool, I tagged my family in a note that said only, "Christmas Eve Gift." After posting it, I jumped up and down, fist pumping, screaming, "I did it!" and laughing maniacally. (Yes, I am a geek. I cheerfully admit it.) Hopefully, they'll take it in good fun and the tradition will continue, evolving to our ever-changing communication techniques.

Christmas Eve Gift everyone! I hope you have a good one, and a glorious Christmas Day after that. 

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