Presents, pinatas, family and food

These students are fourth-graders in Mary Jane Poulin's class at Clinton Elementary School in South Elgin.

Doggone fun

My favorite Christmas was with my 14-year-old dog named MacKenzie Underwood. This Christmas was the funniest I can remember. I was 7 and very excited.

It was Christmas Eve and my sister and I convinced my parents to let us each open 1 present. My family gave MacKenzie dog treats.

He tried to open it, but he couldn't, so my sister had to open it for him! When she opened it, he ignored the dog treats and went straight for the wrapping paper. He ended up completely tearing up all the wrapping paper and didn't eat the dog treats until Christmas morning when we gave them to him.

This is a good Christmas memory because I can remember the good times my family had with him. In November he wouldn't eat or drink, so we put him to a peaceful rest forever.

Delaney Underwood

A Disney Christmas

In 2003, my dad, my mom, my grandmas and I went to Disney World for Christmas. We got to see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and a lot of other Disney characters. On Christmas Eve, my dad, mom and grandma took me to a BBQ. We had a lot of fun.

The main reason we went to Disney World was to see my Uncle Phil. I got to stay at his house over Christmas break and Christmas. He is really nice. I'm glad I got to go there.

Alexis Santana

Christmas in Mexico

When I had my best Christmas I was only nine. This is the way my family in Mexico celebrates it.

We have a big party called a Posada, which is mostly outside. Everybody that is invited brings presents for the rest of the family. In the beginning we all get a candle. The reason why we get candles is because we sing a special song about when Joseph and Mary were looking for a house to have Jesus. So the way we do it is that we walk around the neighborhood and sing the song. It's really fun because we get to invite anyone who would like to see how the tradition goes.

The next thing is that we all go inside and open presents. Most of the presents are for kids.

Now we do the best thing and that's braking the pinyatas! But there's only one worst thing, and that's that there is no candy in one of the pinyatas, there's only tangareans (tangerines), peanuts and oranges. But the next pinyata is filled with candy. When we are done we go outside and light sparklers.

This is my favorite Christmas memory because I do it with family and friends both in South Elgin and Mexico.

Jasmin Duncan

Pinata and swimming

My family was having a party for Christmas at my house. Just about all of my family members were there. I can't remember all of the party. I was only about three at the time. Some of the family I didn't even recognize. It was my first time meeting some of them because they lived far from where we did.

The kids were lined up to hit a pinata. We had to put a cloth over our eyes so we couldn't see what we were going to hit. My uncle, who was handling the pinata, put it high from my reach so I couldn't hit the pinata. I took off the cloth, then hit the pinata. I hit the candy out. I ran to get some candy. I got some candy, enough that I even had to get a bag to put it in! Then, the rest of the family and I had dinner and the adults played cards, while in the garage with a heater, the other kids and I swam in a little swimming pool! That was the coolest thing ever!

I remember that Christmas better than any other one so far! That is one day of my life I will never forget!

Mark Weber

Grabby game

My favorite Christmas memory is the food. On Christmas Eve my family has a big party. They have lots of food like turkey, ham, mashed potatoes. We also play a game called "Grabby" where you pass presents around. When someone yells "stop!" then we open that present. This is fun when we are all together.

Travis Jones

Timber!

My favorite Christmas was on Christmas morning when the tree fell over and caught on my pants and I was the embarrassing Christmas ever! I was so embarrassed, and I cried and ran straight to my room.

On Christmas Day all my family and close friends came. We brought presents for all of them and they got things for us. We thank one another for them. And it was the greatist Christmas ever!

Sabrina O'Farrell

Snowball fight

My favorite Christmas memory was when I woke up and my whole family was at my house to celebrate Christmas. When everyone woke up it was time to open presents. I was happy.

Then we all went outside to play. We had a snowball fight! We split in two teams, boys against girls. We all had a lot of fun together that day.

Dion Acosta

Christmas cruise

My favorite Christmas memory was when my family and I went on a Disney cruise. The cruise went through the Bahamas, and we stayed at its own island called Castaway Cay.

My family and I were so happy that we booked a cruise, and we might book another one in two years.

Rachael Lawson

Real men wear … perfume?

My favorite Christmas moment was on last year's Christmas Eve. All the relatives came on my dad's side except the ones in Canada.

Everyone got a nametag with their name and a number on it. The nametag is for a game we play every year. I call it the present game.

After all, my two boy cousins got a kit with lotion, makeup and perfume in it. One of them is a football player in high school. And the other one used to be a Marine of the U.S.A.

Jacob Amrhein

Mall holiday

My favorite Christmas memory was when I went to Minnesota on Christmas break. I went to Mall of America. I went on a lot of rides. Then in the mall I ate at Pizza Hut. Then we went back to the hotel and I went swimming and went on a lot of water rides. That was my favorite Christmas memory so far.

Justin Nutof

Snowballs, sleepover

Every year for Christmas my cousins and me have snowball fights. We keep missing each other until Tommy threw a snowball at Billy, his brother. Then it didn't stop! Billy threw one at Olivia and they all got mad!

We had a great time after me and Olivia had a sleepover but she got sick and went over and never forgot it.

I hope this year is great!

Juliana Keaty

Presents at midnight

Every year my whole family puts everyone's name in a cup. You stick your hand in and whatever name you get you have to give them a present.

Last year, I got my cousin Brenda. My sister Jessica got my cousin Alexa. My sister Karina got my cousin Daniel. That Christmas was fun and exciting.

I will never forget that Christmas. It was the most exciting Christmas ever because we stayed up till midnight to open our presents.

David Hernandez

Acting out people

I like when we go to other people's houses on Christmas Eve.

One year, we went to my aunt's house in Chicago. I like when she has board games out for us. It was really fun when we acted out famous people or actions. And we all cooked and we made different stuff. We have fun. We play.

Travis Emery

Time with Uncle Brian

My favorite Christmas memory is when my Uncle Brian came all the way from California just to visit my family and the rest of my family for Christmas.

It was very special because he just came to see the family and I haven't seen him for a real long time.

The best part was when he took me to see "Saw II." It was a very special time because I could spend a lot of time with him.

That's my favorite Christmas memory.

Jaryd Heath

A/C on with hot cocoa

One year -- in fact, it was last year -- I remember that my family and me were driving to my aunt's house because she was having a Christmas party. My aunt invited almost everybody she knew. One hour later my uncle started to say ok, everybody, time to open your presents. He said only adults could open their gifts. I ran up to him and convinced him to let the kids go first. He said all right, the kids go first.

After we left, my family and I went to get hot cocoa. It was great! It was so warm that I had to tell my mom to turn on the air while we were in the car.

When my family and I got home, we were so tired. My sister, little brother and I ran into our rooms and put on our pj's and jumped into bed. But my little brother didn't make it into bed so he fell asleep on the floor.

Thalia Morales

Exciting sledding

My favorite holiday memory I have is from last year. My big brother and I got to play in the snow. We barely could go fast because there was some water where we were sledding. It was exciting because we had to be careful where we went because the water was there.

Ryan Peters

Cousins and a snow fort

On Dec. 24, I had a great time because my whole family goes to my gramma's house. When we got there, a giant pile of snow was bigger than my mom's car. When we got out of the car, I saw my cousins working on a big snow pile.

After I got my snowsuit on, I went back outside to help my cousins with the snow fort. Then we went inside to eat dinner. Right after dinner, we went back outside to go snowboarding on my grandmother's big hill. After we were done, our family went back inside to open presents. My family and I started playing around with everything we got. I was very excited with all the new toys I got that day.

Kyle Bauer

Stacking up presents

Every Christmas Eve, my family gets cookies and milk for Santa. In the morning, my brother David, my sister Amber and me would stack our presents with our name on them. But our mom and dad were asleep. When my mom and dad got up, we opened our presents and then ate all the candy in our stocking.

The next day, we played outside in the snow. Then we had a snowball fight and made snowmen. We also slide down the big hill.

Ashley Clay

Deviled egg mishap

One of my Christmas memories is a Christmas party where my mom made deviled eggs. We were waiting until the party started.

When it was the middle of the party, the deviled eggs were on the table with the other food. My brother accidentally made the deviled eggs go on the floor. Everybody gave him a mad glare.

I don't know how they fell because I had to go to bed because it was Christmas Eve.

Amber Clay

Whole family gathered

Every year, we have a Christmas party at my house. Last year was my favorite Christmas memory because my dad's side of the family and my mom's side of the family came over and I got to see all my cousins.

The best part was when we passed out all the presents to my cousins, aunts and uncles. That is my favorite Christmas memory.

Janessa Rios

Give the dog a hug

It was Christmas Day that we got our dog. Our family gathering happened so we had fun. Every year we have a family gathering to keep our tradition. When all of us are together, we eat. Then we play outside. After we are finished we drink hot chocolate and roast marshmallows around the fire.

Then everybody says goodbye till next year and they give our dog a hug. Christmas is our favorite time of year.

Diana Pierce

Dizzy while sledding

It was when we lived in Genoa four years ago. My cousin and me were jumping on the bed and listening to a CD called "Kimpossible." Then we got called down for dinner. After dinner, my cousin and I got in sledding tubes. Then my brother Michael picked up the tubes by the handles and turned, and turned, and turned until he got dizzy.

Kimberly Jareczek

Pictures of the food

My memory is when I had a party with a lot of food. All of the family members were full. Then my cousin and I played video games. After that we went to church. The party is always held at my aunt's house in Summit. Everybody in my family comes to the party.

I help clean the house even if it is my aunt's house. I help by cooking too. Before we eat my sister takes pictures of the food. After that my cousin and I played in the snow and play for 20-30 minutes -- then we go inside.

Jonathan Calara

Fake bells ring songs

One Christmas night, my family comes over. Uncle Chris, Uncle Myron, Uncle Pat, Aunt Linda, mom, dad, Terra, Sky, J.J. and me. We do have animals. Chelsey is a dog, Shadow and Lucky are cats.

The decorations are pretty. We have fake bells that ring songs and lit up. Colored tinsel is everywhere in our basement. I can't forget about the Christmas tree. It has so many things on it. It is the most prettiest sight I see.

For dinner, we have pie, vegetables, potatoes, ham, corn and cranberry sauce. I love the ham! It is a great dinner. We first pray, then I say "Dig in!"

Then it is time for presents. I won't brag about what I got. I was very happy for presents. I did not stop playing with my toys I got until I was 9 years old.

Lee Anne Driscoll

They visit Juniper Lane

At my grandma and grandpa's house every year, we play, eat dinner and open presents in the basement. At the very end, Santa comes! And every kid gets to sit on his lap and we all get a present. All of us also have a stocking that my grandma and grandpa put stuff in. After all the gifting is finished people leave.

After we say all our good-byes, my mom, my brother Ryan and I go get hot chocolate and we go to Juniper Lane (in South Elgin). If you've never heard of Juniper Lane before, it's a lane that has a whole bunch of decorations, and every house has a whole bunch of lights. Then when we are at the end of Juniper Lane, my brother and I run back toward the beginning. And we both race in our pj's and slippers.

After we do all of that, we go home and brush our teeth. I brush my hair and we go to sleep so that Santa will come. In the morning, of course, we open our presents like every other child. Then at 11 a.m., my dad comes and picks me up so I can open presents at his house.

Now you've heard what my favorite Christmas tradition is!

Rachel Weiss