Every year we make it a point to go to the Holidazzle Parade. It does not matter that it is basically the same parade every year.
— David Smith, Richfield
We love to go to the Seasons Dinner Theater in Coon Rapids. We have gone for over 20 years. My parents still go with us but we have added spouses and grandkids. The more the merrier!
— Kathy Blake, Elk River
Christmas Eve starts off with the display on the 8th floor of Macy’s (when it opens) and then a hearty breakfast in downtown Minneapolis. We have been doing this for over five years and our group has grown to include other family members. Everyone looks forward to it every year and there are no complaints about the early start.
— Patty Schwob, Minneapolis
We go snowshoeing at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
— Jane Schmitz, Eden Prairie
We play dreidel — and thus win, lose, and eat lots of Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins).
— Davida Alperin, St. Paul
We take advantage of time off and slow down.
— Amelie Collins, Minneapolis
We go ice skating with Santa at the Veterans Memorial Community Center. It is a lot of fun and the kids get exercise and see Santa.
— Jodi Taylor, Cannon Falls
Our family goes shopping together and we buy toys for Toys for Tots: one girl toy and one boy toy. We let our daughter pick out the toys for children that are her age and to tell us why she thinks they would be good gifts and to think about the people receiving them. We all go together and bring the toys to the Marines at KARE-11. We talk with the Marines, have hot cocoa and look at all of the wonderful gifts people have donated.
— Connie Simon, Crystal
My entire family (my parents, seven siblings, dozens of nieces and nephews) makes 1,000 homemade ravioli and other Italian specialties to honor the Italian traditions of our ancestors. We all enjoy the special day one to two weeks before Christmas when we gather and prepare the meal that we eat on Christmas Day.
— Barbara Hahn, Minneapolis
We put together the train set that circles the tree. My son loves the hands on tradition.
— Steve Carnicorn, Minneapolis
Every year I ask my son (now 6) to create a piece of art/craft to give to his grandparents as a gift. I also go shopping with my sister early on Black Friday.
— Julie Friedman, Golden Valley
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