Every family has their own holiday traditions; some wake up bright and early for church, some throw big Christmas parties, and some spend hours in the kitchen cooking huge meals.
My family? We wake each other up, open our gifts, eat breakfast… and immediately go back to bed.
Yes, that’s our tradition. And if I’m being honest, I think it’s the best one ever.
On Christmas Eve, my family does the traditional “nice” dinner, but even that is a pretty casual day. We are all just too excited to go to bed and wake up for Christmas to actually be concerned about anything crazy on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas morning, my house always starts RIDICULOUSLY early. I mean the kind of early where the sun isn’t out yet, and the only light is from the fireplace and the lights from the tree.
We shuffle into the living room half-asleep (most of us with a big mug of coffee), wrapped in blankets, hair unbrushed, and eyes barely open. But somehow just wide enough awake to rip open presents and laugh together through it all.
There’s something so sweet within these quiet moments. Everyone is still sleepy, all together, and filled with excitement in their own beautiful, grateful way. No chaos, no rushing, no worrying about a busy day ahead. Just a peaceful morning with the people we all love most.
After presents, we make breakfast. Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Usually, pancakes, waffles, if we are feeling extravagant, maybe cinnamon rolls or bacon. Almost always with a mountain of toast on the side. Anything warm, sweet-smelling thing we can throw in the oven or on the stove with the smallest effort.
The house is extra cozy at this time, like the mix of Christmas lights, winter air, and fresh (unhealthy) breakfast somehow makes the world seem softer for just a moment.
And then… we sleep again.
It’s kind of funny, honestly. Most families go straight into hosting or rushing mode. My family takes no time to say, “Okay, that was enough emotional energy. Goodnight!” And we head right back to bed for round two of sleep.
The rest of the day is unapologetic laziness. Movies, snacks, blankets, new comfy clothes, more naps, leftovers, and more movies. Basically, 24 hours of just one long, cozy reset day.
But that’s why I love it so much.
Christmas, for us, isn’t about being busy or scheduled every which way. It’s about slowing down. It’s about giving such a crazy, constantly busy family just one day of permission to do absolutely nothing but appreciate each other’s presence, which we don’t get to do very often.
No pressure about having to perform or impress. It’s simple. It’s lazy.
It’s absolutely perfect for us.
And I wouldn’t trade our sleepy little Christmas for anything.