Christmas Eve Traditions - Old and New

This year our little family of four spent Christmas Eve together, all by ourselves.  We did all our "old" traditions but also started some "new" traditions.

First off, we decided to join in an "old" Chicago tradition, but since this was our first time, it was "new" to us.  For over 100 years, families have been celebrating the Christmas season with a meal in the Walnut Room at Marshall Field's--now Macy's, on State Street in downtown Chicago.  The restaurant is located on the 7th floor, is paneled in dark walnut wood and in the center stands a 45 ft. Great Christmas Tree.  The large Christmas tree is surrounded by 14 smaller designer Christmas trees.  The prime seats in the house are of course, the tables under the tree.  And we were very fortunate to get one of those tables!!

I was very worried about trying to eat at the Walnut Room on Christmas Eve.  I didn't want to show up and find unmangeable crowds and unreasonable wait time.  It definitely, had the potential to be a disaster.  The other side of me kept thinking, "you never know until you try."  We went back and forth for a few days trying to decide whether it would be worth it to try and go, until Saturday morning we woke up and said, "let's do it."  We figured that there were lots of other places to go if we found Macy's was too crazy.

To our happy surprise, it wasn't too crowded.  We had to wait two hours for a seat (no reservations taken) but you get a pager so you don't have to wait in a line.  While we were waiting we went outside and looked at all the animated store windows.  Then we went back inside to Santa Land to visit Santa.  After a little refreshment and enjoying the Christmas decorations, our wait was over.



In Santa Land



Outside looking at the animated store windows



We were seated in the main room not too far from the big tree.  We also got a visit from one of the Walnut Room "fairies" who sprinkled each of us with glitter while we made wishes.  We had nice meal with dessert.  I wouldn't necessarily rave about the food.  It's good but not amazing.  Wait, I take that back.  My dessert was amazing.  It was Todd English's white chocolate bread pudding with warm caramel.  This was one of those desserts you think about eating long after it is gone.  We all had our own desserts, but hands down mine was the best, Paige couldn't keep her spoon out of it.  So good, it was more custard than bread, just the way I like it and if you don't know who Todd English is then your not enough of a foodie to appreciate it, - ha-ha!  We all agreed that it was a very fun experience.  We will definitely do it again.




We then came home and did some of our "old" traditions. 

We drove through the Aurora Holiday Festival of Lights. 

We frosted cookies for Santa.

Opened our Christmas pjs and read a Christmas storybook.

Sang some Christmas carols (the "new" part is that both girls can now accompany on the piano, yeah!)

Read from the Scriptures including Luke 2 and marveled at the humble birth of the King of Kings, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Then off to bed to dream....