Christmas Eve Traditions in Texas

Christmas Eve in Texas includes many traditions. In today's post, I compiled a list of Texas Christmas Eve traditions.  

1. Tamales.
Whether you buy them at a restaurant or make them on your own, many families enjoy tamales on Christmas Eve in Texas. 

2. Pecan Pie.
Pecan pies and chocolate pecan pies are a traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas dessert in Texas.

3. Donate gifts through Angel Trees, Toys for Tots, and other Holiday Gift Drives.
You will find toy donation drop-offs at many schools, stores, churches, restaurants, and attractions. 

4. Red Trees.

When I moved to Texas a decade ago, I quickly learned that red Christmas lights on trees are popular.  Red Christmas lights are a Texas tradition.

5. Luminaries. (Luminarias.)
Luminaries are popular on Christmas Eve. Many people use them to light the front sidewalk at their home or to line driveways such as the ones at churches.

6. Open a gift on Christmas Eve.
A Texas Christmas Eve tradition is to let children open a gift on Christmas Eve.  Let me share a peak at the Christmas Eve gifts for my children.

Bob the Train Learning Adventures Train is available on Amazon. Encourage little ones to learn the ABCs and 123s with the Bob Learning Adventures Train. Press Bob's roof to play “The Alphabet Song," and press Bob's hat to hear phrases from the show. Includes Bob the Train vehicle, a wagon car with 6 flipping tiles with numbers and more, and a wagon car with removable letter blocks. This is a nice educational toy.

Bob the Train Around the Town Playset is available on Amazon. The Bob the Train Around the Town Playset features exciting textures, fidget spinners, removable shapes, and sounds to discover! Includes the Around the Town Playset, Bob the Train vehicle, wagon car, and numbers 1, 2, and 3. Compatible with Alphabet Adventures Train Cars and Train Family Adventure Pack (each sold separately). This is a fun educational toy that encourages little ones to use their imaginations.

7. Christmas Light Drive-through Experiences.
Everything really is bigger in Texas. Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, TX and many other drive-through Christmas light parks are spread throughout the state.  It's something that everyone should experience at least once, but many families make it an annual Christmas Eve tradition in Texas.

8. Santa Photos. Family Photos. Lots of Photos.
Texans love photos. They take photos with Santa. They take family photos. They take photos at school. They take photos with holiday decorations. They seem to take photos everywhere throughout the state of Texas during the holiday season.

9. Christmas Eve Church Services.
Of course, Christmas Eve Church services are popular in Texas. Many churches are closed on Christmas Day and everyone enjoys time at home with their families.

10. White Elephant Parties.
White Elephant parties are big in Texas. Some extended families get together on Christmas Eve for White Elephant parties. 

I hope that you enjoyed this list of Texas Christmas Eve traditions!