Christmas Eve is about a day away, and it's got me thinking about traditions that I really need to start with my little family! This is the first year that my Hayden is really in to the whole Christmas/Santa deal, which means that we need to go out of our way to make a big deal about everything.

Which kind of puts fear in my eyes, because I so desperately want to make it special for him without going over the top. Is this possible? Can it be modestly memorable, especially for a three year old? I also don't want to mess up and scar the poor child for life.

On Christmas Eve we are going to my parents house for dinner, and apparently this Irish-American family will be having a traditional Latin inspired Christmas. My Mom's housekeeper of twenty years is making tamales for us, as well as her super hot death salsa that is capable of burning the lining of your intestines if consumed in mass quantities. Should be fun, nonetheless... and entertaining to see certain individuals try to convince themselves that the salsa isn't that hot and sweat isn't beading on their forehead!

I've already made it quite clear that we will be heading out around 7:00 PM to get the kiddos ready for bed. I've been thinking about the Santa preparations to make before Hayden goes to bed, because honestly... it's either going to make or break his holiday! I was thinking that we could leave out a plate full of cookies made by us in the morning of Christmas Eve for Santa, and a carrot for Rudolph. Then, Hayden and I could write a letter to Santa saying that he's been such a good boy this year, and so has his brother. Then leave the letter, cookies, carrot and of course the MILK out for Santa to have when he visits our house to drop off presents.

It sounds so lame, really. But I guess it's the best I can think of doing.

The plan was for Santa (aka Daddy) to write a letter back to Hayden (and Trevor) thanking him for the cookies, as well as for being a good boy. I'll make Kyler take bites out of the cookies, drink the milk, and I'll eat a bunch of the carrot and be sure to not leave any MAC Lip Glass behind on it!

Does anyone have any more exciting ideas? I distinctly remember my Dad giving us NyQuil on Christmas Eve (I'm dead serious about this, by the way...) and that's definitely not a tradition I'm planning on continuing with my children. Any bright ideas that you have are very welcome! Please, comments, tweets, etc... I'll take any and all ideas. I'm feeling like a lame Mommy!