This is without a doubt my favorite time of the year. I just love Christmas for so many reasons including the family traditions that we have done for years. I look forward to it all year long. We have just a few traditions. If you are a new family or maybe just want to add some new fun to the season, it is never too late to start a new tradition and have it live for years to come. Maybe you could cut your own tree every year or have the same food or something. Here are some of ours.

Every Christmas gets started by me putting out the old red Santa that my mom gave me. I used to play with this guy every single year when I was a kid and a couple of years ago she gave it to me to put in my home knowing how much I loved him. Christmas season starts when my little red Santa is looking over our living room.

When Christmas Eve rolls around, I like to go the early candlelight service and sing "Silent Night" while tears stream down my face. I can't help it. It happens every year. I had an old friend tell me that when he was in the service defending our country that on Christmas, he and the other soldiers would drop everything and gather, wherever on God's Earth they were, and sing "Silent Night". I can never get the image of men and women in uniform gathered together and singing while far from home in the most hellish conditions imaginable, out of my head.

U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Spencer Platt, Getty Images
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For Christmas Eve dinner I have always made lasagna. It has been that way for as long as I can remember and it will not change. I so look forward to that yearly feast.

Lasagna
Brian Gary, TSM
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When dinner is done, the kids are all anxiously awaiting to open presents but in our family we always had to wait until all the kids put on a program. This started as a child with my brother and my cousins Janelle, Darin and Bradley. We would have to come up with a show and perform it and then we could have our presents. I now have 3 and soon 4, grandchildren and I am looking forward to a good show this year. The tradition continues.

Brian Gary, TSM
Brian Gary, TSM
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After the kids perform...it's present opening time. This is how Christmas always has been for me and I plan on keeping it that way. I am feeling the season and I hope you get infused with it as well. I wish you happiness and joy this holiday season. Spread some love.

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