It seems like every Iowan family has their own Christmas traditions. Some are related to food, others come from the family’s culture, and some are just weird habits that a family adopts because it feels right.
Here are ten Iowa Christmas traditions. See if some of them are familiar. These are the traditions most frequently mentioned in a number of informal polls from around the state.
- The early gift
Jennifer C./Flickr Families that traditionally open gifts on Christmas morning sometimes let the kids choose one small gift to open on Christmas Eve. This inevitably ends up causing a great debate as to why they can’t just open one more gift…and then one more….
- Christmas at the movies
Naoya Fujii/Flickr Many families spend the afternoon or evening of Christmas Day at the movie theater. Popcorn, candy, and one more chance to show off that festive Christmas hat is irresistible.
- Christmas-themed clothing
mbtrama/Flickr As if you aren’t already radiating Christmas cheer, you are also wearing a bright red sweater to go with that ear-to-ear smile.
- Putting up the tree on the day after Thanksgiving
Tom Ipri/Flickr For many Iowa families, it’s not Black Friday. It’s Deck-The-Halls Friday! We all know someone who just can’t wait to put up their tree and set the timer on their Christmas lights.
- White Elephant gift exchange
Not Margaret/Flickr With all of the pressure of finding the “right” gift for your family and friends, heading out to a White Elephant Gift Exchange offers a refreshing break. Regifting, carefully wrapping something horrendous, checking your liquor cabinet for that awful bottle of something you’ll never drink, and building a grab bag of random items from your home are all encouraged.
- The Christmas drive
Andrew Dallos/Flickr How often do you drive around your town, wearing pajamas, blasting Christmas music, and drinking hot chocolate so you can check out your fellow citizens’ light displays? For many Iowans, this is a several-times-per-season event.
- Oyster Stew
Daniel Krook/Flickr Do you do Oyster Stew at Christmastime?
- Lutefisk!
Karl Baron/Flickr It’s a Scandinavian tradition that many Iowans hold near and dear. There’s just something magical about the lye-cured salted gelatinous fish…
- Christmas Eve Chili
goblinbox/Flickr Curling up with a warm bowl of chili on Christmas Eve? Yes, please!
- Christmas Pickle
Jamie Anderson/Flickr This German tradition has made its way into many Iowa homes. The person who finds the pickle opens the first present.
What are some of your weirdest family traditions at Christmas? Tell us about it in the comments.
Jennifer C./Flickr
Families that traditionally open gifts on Christmas morning sometimes let the kids choose one small gift to open on Christmas Eve. This inevitably ends up causing a great debate as to why they can’t just open one more gift…and then one more….
Naoya Fujii/Flickr
Many families spend the afternoon or evening of Christmas Day at the movie theater. Popcorn, candy, and one more chance to show off that festive Christmas hat is irresistible.
mbtrama/Flickr
As if you aren’t already radiating Christmas cheer, you are also wearing a bright red sweater to go with that ear-to-ear smile.
Tom Ipri/Flickr
For many Iowa families, it’s not Black Friday. It’s Deck-The-Halls Friday! We all know someone who just can’t wait to put up their tree and set the timer on their Christmas lights.
Not Margaret/Flickr
With all of the pressure of finding the “right” gift for your family and friends, heading out to a White Elephant Gift Exchange offers a refreshing break. Regifting, carefully wrapping something horrendous, checking your liquor cabinet for that awful bottle of something you’ll never drink, and building a grab bag of random items from your home are all encouraged.
Andrew Dallos/Flickr
How often do you drive around your town, wearing pajamas, blasting Christmas music, and drinking hot chocolate so you can check out your fellow citizens’ light displays? For many Iowans, this is a several-times-per-season event.
Daniel Krook/Flickr
Do you do Oyster Stew at Christmastime?
Karl Baron/Flickr
It’s a Scandinavian tradition that many Iowans hold near and dear. There’s just something magical about the lye-cured salted gelatinous fish…
goblinbox/Flickr
Curling up with a warm bowl of chili on Christmas Eve? Yes, please!
Jamie Anderson/Flickr
This German tradition has made its way into many Iowa homes. The person who finds the pickle opens the first present.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
