Cake for breakfast on birthdays are big as well as notes in lunch boxes etc. . .
Putting up my parent's Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving is something I've done since I was baby and now passed down to my children, their grandchildren, throughout the years. Even now that four of the six grandchildren in college, they all come home to put up granny and granddaddy's tree!
There is a tradition that my mama and I do that I look forward to every year!
ROCK OPERA!!!
Huh??
Everyone and their brother knows the famous Christmas songs of the Trans Siberian Orchesta (TSO for short).
BUT they aren't just a Christmas song band. They are actually considered ROCK OPERA. They are so awesome! I mean flames and fireworks awesome!
Every year my mama and I go. I love it when people have no idea the rock and roll part of the three hour program and kinda freak out because they had no idea it was a real rock show.
TSO now does the whole Christmas show part (which is a nice story for children to go along with the music along with falling snow.) for the first hour and a half while they do the other rock stuff for the last hour and a half.
Mama and I make a night of it. We go out to supper and go to the show. We have the best time! I love it!
Do you have a favorite holiday tradition? Or have you gone to see TSO? Leave a comment and be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card!
Enjoy~
Our holiday traditions center on gathering the family- a dinner (or lunch depending on the adult children's schedules) to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas eve with my in-laws. Yup, we do Hanukkah, Christmas and all three children's birthdays in a very short time.
ReplyDeleteOur favorite holiday tradition is going as a family to see the town Christmas tree be lit, the grandkids love it 😍 kathambre@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI had no idea what I was getting into the first time we went to a TSO concert. It was 2003 when they came to Reno NV. Hubby and I have been hooked ever since!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to see them but I love them. I have one of their CDs. One of my favorites! One of my favorite traditions is to decorate the tree with my grandsons! So much fun! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteGoing to a Christmas parade. Thanks for the chance. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHave never been to it. No traditions here anymore family has moved away. I am now the "older one". But was great when we did get together.
ReplyDeleteHave never been to it. No traditions here anymore family has moved away. I am now the "older one". But was great when we did get together.
ReplyDeleteWe get together for either Christmas or Christmas Eve, me and my 3 brothers and our families. My sister lives in VA and she always calls and talks to everyone. We do a big dinner, everyone brings something, and then we have a Yankee Swap. This is most likely my last one as we are moving to FL early next year.
ReplyDeleteI love your traditions! I have several "foodie" things that we had growing up during Christmas so to keep the memory of my parents alive I always make our traditional things. Now, since it is just Scott and I here in NC we have started our own traditions here that involve our little small town of Swansboro. Every year on the second Saturday of November the town does it's Candlelight Christmas nights tradition where dancers perform the Nutcracker and they do the lighting of the tree. Then on the Friday after Thanksgiving we always go to the Christmas Flotilla. I LOVE seeing all of the boats all lit up ... the reflection of them just make the water glisten. So pretty! Those two things really kick off the holidays!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see TSO someday.
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to see TSO for Christmas but they are only here for one day doing 2 shows. Our traditions is going as a family, minus mom, to cut down our tree. It's always been that way. Dad took us kids every year and now all of us kids go with the grandkids. After we cut it down, we set up a day where we all get together and decorate it as family. Then we have a Christmas Eve party and then back to the house Christmas morning for breakfast and presents. We will either go home or stay until it's time for Christmas dinner. It's a good thing we all live close.
ReplyDeleteI've not done the TSO before but I want to. I had friends go last year with their moms and I was so jealous. Maybe oneday! My tradition every year is going to ICE- (In Orlando Florida, it is 9 degrees and we see everything made from ice. This years theme was Charile Brown Christmas. It's my 8th year in a row now and will keep going. It's the only 9 degrees Florida will ever see. It puts me in the mood for Christmas.)
ReplyDeleteSpending time with family is our tradition. I do enjoy a good performance of the Nutcracker.
ReplyDeleteNo TSO. No special tradition any more.Children and their families do their own thing.
ReplyDeletejudytucker1947@gmail.com
I've seen TSO several times. It's always a good show. Their albums are in constant rotation during the Christmas season at our house. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Daniele! You won and your gift card is on the way!
DeleteI've never seen TSO, altho I have listened to, & enjoy, some of their music.
ReplyDeleteAbout the only tradition we have retained over the years is trying to be the first to say "Christmas Eve Gift" on Christmas Eve morning. My maternal grandfather couldn't wait for Christmas and I think this may have come from his family. Anyway I've said it all my life, and now my daughter & granddaughter carries it on [at least with me.] My sister & female cousin also have continued it, but don't know about my male cousin, or my son. Maybe males aren't prone to that :) .
I have seen TSO twice. My husband and I went the first time I saw it. We weren't sure what to expect but both agreed it was well worth going to see. The second time our daughter went with us. She was blown away but all the dramatic items that were included in the show. If I had the funds to buy the tickets every year I would attend every year.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to see them yet but want to. They did a Christmas special one year, quite a few years ago and I loved that. Some day we will get there. I can't say that we have a special tradition. We do try to take one evening and all of us watch White Christmas together, the way we all work though it is getting harder every year.
ReplyDeletemomzillasteel at gmail dot com
We love to go to our town's tree lighting. The high school band leads Santa to the park on a fire truck. After the tree is lit, everyone goes to the community center for cookies and hot chocolate. Love small town U.S.A.
ReplyDeleteThe only traditions we have are putting the tree up together and my favorite is driving around looking at Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteBefore my grandmother died we always got together on Christmas day to exchange gifts, eat dinner, and spend the day playing games. I would love to see TSO perform live in Kansas City.
ReplyDeleteBefore my grandmother died we always got together on Christmas day to exchange gifts, eat dinner, and spend the day playing games. I would love to see TSO perform live in Kansas City.
ReplyDeletewould love to see them. i have several of the CD's; and enjoy listening to them.
ReplyDeleteTSO has been to our area twice. I would love to see them the next time
ReplyDeleteTSO has been to our area twice. I would love to see them the next time
ReplyDeleteTSO has been to our area twice. I would love to see them the next time
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas Eve tradition is to watch A Christmas Story and Home Alone while waiting for the volunteer fire dept to drive Santa through the area on the back of a fire truck. The reindeer get a break and Santa gets to see where the good kids live.
ReplyDeleteI love TSO. Saw them once. (mommatoodle at msn dot com)
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't seen them But I REALLY WANT To. Whenever I get asked My Fav Christmas Song they are what I always say. I really Like Christmas Eve Sarajevo. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteWe have seen the west group of TSO 20 times now. They are a must for us every holiday season. We'll be seeing them again this Saturday in St. Paul, MN!
ReplyDeleteTSO has been to our area twice. I would love to see them the next time
ReplyDeleteTSO has been to our area twice. I would love to see them the next time
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of traditions. They are important I feel. Gathering to decorate is a great favorite.
ReplyDeleteWe open 1 present Christmas Eve, which holds pajamas for everyone, a dvd, popcorn, hot chocolate and snacks. Then we all put our new jammies on and watch a movie together. The kids love it!
ReplyDeleteBack from when I managed the photrait studio we put up our Christmas Tree on Thanksgiving day while watching Holiday Inn. My mom lived 3 blocks away and she would have Thanksgiving at her house because I would be so busy with work. My busy season would start on November 1 and go to final picture pickup on Christmas eve. Thanksgiving was the one day that I knew that I wouldn't get a call. My Christamad Cards would get mailed on Black Friday. My friends all joked that they knew my card would be their first.
ReplyDeleteBack as far as I can remember my mom would spend about two weeks making Christmas candy, as soon as I could help I did she always had me making peanut butter balls she said she always hated making them, as I got older and faster I got to do more, now I look forward to making candy with my girls every year. Thank you for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteOur favorite tradition is driving around the neighborhood on Christmas Eve to admire all the lights and decorations.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your story about your Aunt Ann. I've never seen TSO but would love to do so. Unfortunately, the nearest they come is a 3 hr drive from here. Favorite holiday tradition is just simply spending time with family. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteThey do my favorite rendition of Carol of the Bells and I would love to see them in concert, you are so lucky!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove TSO, although I've never been to one of their concerts. Our only tradition these days is a big dinner on Christmas Eve with my husband and and our son and daughter-in-law. choirlady27(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas so much, my fav is the giving! Especially picking an angel from the angel tree at the store, I challenge others to do the same!
ReplyDeleteYes! I have seen them, thankfully! I would love to go again though. Christmas Eve Sarajevo is my daughter's favorite Christmas song.
ReplyDeleteineedadietcoke at aol dot com
I'm traditional.. so just getting the tree up .. baking holiday treats and having the house all decorated with Christmas music gets our home in the holiday mood! It's all about the senses.. sights, smells and sounds! :) I have not been to see TSO.. but I do love them. Seems like you all had a wonderful time!!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any traditions anymore. Since my son got married, he and is wife pretty much do their own thing and I am left on my own. He hands me a gift and says Merry Christmas and that's about it. I've gotten used to it by now. I guess that happens with a small family.
ReplyDeleteWe switched to an artificial tree when my oldest child went to college so that she could help put it up on her Thanksgiving break. We continue that tradition to this day even though it has been several years since both she and my youngest child graduated from college. Both of my children have gone to a TSO performance and I hope to as well one day. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteSince it's just my husband and me now, we make a "date" to watch White Christmas. 🎄 I love TSO's music, but I've never seen them.
ReplyDeleteOne of our traditions has been for the children to make a decoration for the tree. Through the years we have had some very unique items they thought would decorate the tree. Like a bird nest that had fallen out of the tree in our back yard to a handmade felt ornament. Always fun to see what is next.
ReplyDeletejwisley(at)aol(dot)com
When we moved to NWFL 16 yrs ago we wanted to get into the coastal Christmas spirit so attended Annual Boat Parade. It was so much fun, we make it an annual event! Number of boats vary each year, from as few as 22 or as many as 45!A theme is annaounced, but boat owners have great creativity so decorate their boats with lights & laser decor, play music, & some even have their "crew" in costume! Temps in NWFL in early Dec range from 75 (today's temp) to 39 (last year's temps on night of Boat Parade). Can't wait to attend the 2016 Boat Parade Dec 10! bhkey76(at)gmail (dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite holiday tradition we have is the night of Christmas Eve - the youngest child in the family that can read - reads the Bible versus of when Jesus was born.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. we gather on christmas eve for fun,food and gifts
ReplyDeleteI have a few favorite holiday traditions, some new and some old. My dad and I go to the NC mountains on Black Friday and get a fresh tree. My mom and I decorate it while listening to carols on the first weekend of December. We all go to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Mom and I watch the Nutcracker every year. We have a special Christmas breakfast after everyone opens their gifts. So many good memories!
ReplyDeleteFor years we always put up a tree on the day after Thanksgiving---then when we got 2 beagle puppies and a kitten all in one year we decided that a tree was just too dangerous for them. This year we put up a tree again---a few days late but a tree. I think we'll be back to our day after Thanksgiving tradition next year.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
We get together one week-end to do all the Christmas baking using family recipes. Everyone goes home with an assortment for their family. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy sisters and I go to see TSO or Mannheim Steamroller every year. It depends on which band is in town. We have a nice dinner before and then go to the concert. We also have another tradition of going shopping (for a day) at one of the Outlet Malls. We rarely buy any gifts there. It's usually shopping for US! It doesn't get any better than family time!
ReplyDeleteEvery Christmas Eve my husband and I have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Afterwards we grab a hot cocoa and drive around Christmas Tree Lane. The neighbors go all out with decorations, a wandering Mr. and Mrs. Claus, live music, and often someone is selling Christmas cookies for the local high school (my alma mater). It is a tradition I always look forward to.
ReplyDeletekat8762@aol.com
My sweet ol' Hubby and I just love TSO! Their show is one of the most exciting things about the holidays.
ReplyDeleteSince there is just me, I go to my children's home to open gifts on Christmas morning.
ReplyDeleteWe do right after Thanksgiving my husband and I go to the store and buy 12 Advent Calenders that have chocolate in each day then we mail them out to grandkids, newphews and friends kids . They just love them and they get one till they are 18 then they drop off the list but if they are family they get a christmas stocking stuffed with anything i find with their initial and also a christmas ornament is enclosed so by the time they are married they have lots of stocking and also lots of ornaments for their own tree!
ReplyDeleteWe always go out to a tree farm and cut our own Christmas tree..... Our kids are grown with kids of their own, and we still do the tree cutting as a family!! It's a "right of passage" to get to cut the tree, my husband passed it on to our son when he was old enough.... then we added our Son In Law.... now the grandkids are growing, they will soon be able to cut a tree also.
ReplyDeleteTSO -- that's the beginning of the Christmas season for us !!! They've always been in our area the Sunday after Thanksgiving - perfect timing !!! What a way to ring in the Christmas season -- Spectacular Show!!!!! (this year they aren't coming until Dec 30th -- so disappointed !!!!)
TSO was in Tulsa last week and I really wanted to go to the show but couldn't do it. I didn't realize the light show was part of it, but have always really like their music--knew that they had to do something besides really good Christmas music.
ReplyDeleteWe put a little tree up every year
ReplyDeleteEating homemade coffee cake and opening gifts with my family on Christmas morning.
ReplyDeleteOur tradition is to read the Christmas from Luke chapter 2 in the Bible aloud on Christmas Eve
ReplyDeleteWe play holiday music and spend time together as a family.
ReplyDeleteOur holiday tradition is to decorate inside the house early in Dec. and then decorate the Christmas tree so everything is done by my brother's birthday.
ReplyDeletehaven't seen TSO. We like to leave cookies for Santa.
ReplyDeletedenise
I have not seen TSO yet. I'd like to! My favorite holiday tradition is opening presents together on Christmas morning.
ReplyDeleteI love TSO, the best concert ever
ReplyDeleteWe go to the Huntsville, AL Botanical Gardens Christmas lights. The light scenes are amazing and I've took the kids since my oldest 2 were little and they are now 20 and 21. I still have 3 pre-teens at home and they are already exited about this year's visit. My oldest daughters still go and now each take my grandkids. It's something we do as a family that they all look forward to.
ReplyDeleteWe go to the Huntsville, AL Botanical Gardens Christmas lights. The light scenes are amazing and I've took the kids since my oldest 2 were little and they are now 20 and 21. I still have 3 pre-teens at home and they are already exited about this year's visit. My oldest daughters still go and now each take my grandkids. It's something we do as a family that they all look forward to.
ReplyDeleteOne of my traditions is to buy my immediate family and best friend a Christmas ornament. It is a way to remember the year past. We always put up our tree after thanksgiving and watch the classic Christmas movies together each weekend through the new year.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoy driving through the neighborhood on Christmas Eve to look at all the lights and decorations. Kuzlin at aol.com
ReplyDeleteI love to listen to TSO! My favorite part of Christmas is watching children's faces as they open presents!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love TSO! I have introduced both my girls to them and they love them as much as I do. I strongly encouraged anyone who hasn't experienced them to make it a point to go see them. You absolutely will not regret it.
ReplyDeleteTonya! I love, love, love the TSO! And so does my cat, she didn't take her eyes off the screen the whole time I had the video playing!
ReplyDeletewe like making lot's of cookies this time of year and giving them out to love one.
ReplyDelete