Twelve Days of Christmas at our House

Although The Twelve Days of Christmas is a popular carol in the USA, few seem to realize that those "twelve days" actually span the period between December 25 and January 6, which is celebrated as Día de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Magi Kings) as is the custom in Uruguay where I grew up...

It occurred to me on Sunday, December 27, that we'd been doing something Christmas-related every day, starting on December 24 when we went to the Carol Sing at our church. I therefore decided to try to do something Christmas-y (albeit simple) every day until January 6.

Here's how it went...

December 24, Christmas Eve

We weren't sure how we'd be feeling after our bout with the stomach flu earlier in the week... Thankfully we were able to attend the (now annual) Carol Sing at church – everybody is invited to bring instruments! John Mark took his accordion this year. We also had harmonicas and bells, in addition to the more traditional instruments like organ, piano, flutes, and trumpets.

December 25, Christmas Day

Aunt Shannah and Aunt Ruth and Miss Amy joined us for the day and helped to prepare a delicious meal of ham – with three accompanying potato dishes! – and other trimmings. We also helped los Abu in Uruguay install Skype on their laptop! All of the family present in Greenville (both sides) got to talk to and see all family members abroad! Technology can be such a blessing! Another highlight for me was John Mark's reading the Christmas accounts from a Harmony of the Gospels, a great way to read the whole Story – including the Deity of Christ (John 1) – in the words of Scripture!

December 26

At the last minute, we decided to take a tour of the Roper Mountain Holiday Lights. Tío Alfonso, who had just stopped by, joined us along with Aunt Shannah and Aunt Ruth.

December 27

We visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. (We're still "cashing in" on the great deal we got last January during the tíos' and primas' visit!) The weather was beautiful – in the 60s with a pleasant breeze – and the air was (uncharacteristically) clear! Of course, the Christmas lights and decorations were spectacular – but the sunset was unrivaled by all of the above!

December 28, Sunday

John Mark preached for the morning Spanish service, and I led the children's Sunday School class in a study of some of the names and titles of Jesus found in the Christmas accounts.

December 29

I shopped some Christmas clearance sales at CVS and Walgreens!

December 30

I shopped even more Christmas clearance sales – and finally found a tree at Target! An added bonus was the Advent Calendar (no UPC or price tag) that they gave me for $2.99!

December 31, New Year's Eve

We were supposed to be on our way to Great-Gramma's, but car ailments changed our plans. Aunt Shannah and newly-dubbed "Aunt" Amy joined Elizabeth and me at Chick-Fil-A for a late morning breakfast (using coupons that would otherwise have expired), and then Elizabeth and I shopped the Wal*Mart Christmas clearance sales – finding her gift from PaPa and Grandma as well as bargains for celebrations yet to come. On our way to church that evening, we took pictures with Christmas lights. It was cold and windy, so we didn't stay out very long!

January 1, New Year's Day

Tío Esteban, Tía Esther, Jonatán, and Marcos joined us for a combined Christmas/New Year's celebration. Our meal was a combination of Southern-style with a taste of Uruguayan cuisine: turnip greens and black-eyed peas with roast leg of lamb (Hurrah for Publix!) and scalloped potatoes, and then Friendship Bread and panettone for dessert!

January 2

I found "Pumpkin Spice" Jell-O pudding on clearance at Publix (2 large boxes [3.4 oz] for $1.00 – expiration date: June 2010), so I stocked up for next year's Friendship Bread baking marathon! And Elizabeth "helped" me bake Christmas cookies!

January 3

Elizabeth and I decorated Christmas cookies! I'm pleased with the recipe from the Publix FamilyStyle (Winter 2008) magazine I used this year. I think I can say that I finally found THE recipe that turns out "just like mom's" – Christmas cookies decorated with colored sugar bring back very special memories...

January 4

I researched ideas for our Advent Calendar (for next year). At this point, I'm planning to include a combination of verses from Matthew, Luke, John, and Isaiah – written on cardstock and tied with ribbon (like little scrolls) – interspersed with miniature nativity ornaments (which I'm hoping to find on clearance and/or make)...

January 5

Wrapped presents for our January 6 celebration...

January 6

We opened our gifts for Día de los Reyes. Spreading out the opening of gifts has made this an exceptionally exciting year – especially for Elizabeth!

And we still have one more Christmas celebration with family who were out of town during the holidays...