When we were kids, we would waken at dawn and pile onto our parents bed til they agreed to get up.  We would then be told to wait on the stairs, one kid on each step in order of age.  (me the youngest on the bottom step)  My parents would get the tree lit, the music on as well as the coffee perculator while we would just be itching to get opening presents.   When my parents were settled in their chairs, we would be called in and it was a free for all with bigger kids catching up to the little kids (there were 7 of us with 10 years difference in age)

When we tumbled into the living room, there would be huge separate piles of presents for each of us.  To my eyes they were like mountains!!  I remember opening a box with a picture of roller skates on the lid and I didn't even bother to open the box because I was so disappointed in Santa:  I already had roller skates - what was he thinking??  My Mother asked me to open the box and there was a hand made pair of seal skin mukluks that my Dad had made for me when he was on tour in Alert - the North Pole where Santa lived!!!!!   I LOVED those little boots with all my heart because my DAD was a close personal friend of Santa!

We used to put our shoe into the window a few times before Christmas and, if we had been good, there were goodies to eat in it in the morning. That was in Germany where I grew up. I think my mom stretched out this method of keeping us "good" for the better part of December.

As a child:

Celebrating Christmas Eve at my grandparents' home and then spending the night to have Christmas morning there too. Santa was always more extravagant at PaPa & Grandma's

As an adult:

My first Christmas with my son Wyatt. He was only 2.5 months old and the center of attention as the only male grandchild out of 6 of us with kids.

I have always enjoyed the games we play on Hanukkah.

Going to church Christmas eve and all lighting candles singing Silent Night..was so magical!!

Santa came to our house and visited my sister and me plus some other neighborhood children --- he was my parents' friend and insurance agent.   

It was the year I got a Flexible Flyer sled - it was really a surprise, and we lived on a golf course that had a fabulous hill for sledding.  And I still have the sled!

Rose,

Looking at all the holday store windows.  They wer magnificent.  A

I remember trying, but never making it, to stay awake late enough to see Santa. We would "hide" behind the couch and wait. Always woke up in our beds...

Waiting to see what was under the tree on Christmas morning.

Santa claus

Since my dad told me that Santa had traded in his sleigh for a brown Chevrolet, we went out looking for him, and when I got home he had delivered his presents and Mom said you just missed him.

I don't have any stories that can compare to the ones I've read.  Mine was getting my first computer at Christmas.  Definitely set my life on a particular path.

Laying under the Christmas tree in the evening with the twinkling lights above me...

Rose Mary Justice I also had an Uncle who played Santa every year. Good childhood memories.

Going to Christmas Carol service, followed by a quiet family meal, followed by opening presents. We always celebrated in the German way on Christmas Eve. We also actually had real candles on the tree that were lit on Christmas Eve... such a special glow and I've never forgotten it.

I remember hating to go see Santa and crying every year, then I became Santa for forty years. Go figure!

I really love your Chrisitmas Memory . . .  that is very special, and what a great uncle Rose Mary Justice!  My best Christmas Memory is of sitting in a large chair in the living room at night, that I could curl up in, and enjoy admiring our Christmas tree with the lights on . . .  to me, it was magical, and it always reminds me of my Mom and Dad . . .

Oh, definitely arriving at my grandparents' home on Christmas Eve and playing in the snow (which we never had a lot of wherever we were living when I was a child [Air Force dad]) until our fingers were numb!  My grandparents each had at least 10 siblings so, I had SO much fun with all of my cousins who lived where my grandparents did!

When I got my first shotgun which allowed me to practice shooting preparing for my first deer hunt.

Santas village in Jordan Marsh in downtown Boston

Gee I really don't know about a single best memory... I did always love it when Waking up on Christmas morning had snow on the ground when there was none the day before seemed very magical when it happened.

My mom invited everyone that did not have a place to go for Christmas Eve, and our home was always full and presents for all.   Then she played Christmas songs and we all sung.

Your uncle sounds like a special person.

Rose Mary Justice - we celebrate Diwali - and remember waiting to visit neighbors and friends to eat sweets...lol!

Being with my Grandfather and Grandmother on Christmas morning.

There was one Christmas when Santa visited on Christmas Eve. I do have a lot of great memories. My holiday was filled with good food (made by my grandmother) and spending time with family. 

I am speechless after reading Ken Jones comment. 

I would have to say getting my first drum set atthe age of 6 then 10 also.  

My earliest memory is waiting for Santa to come down the chimney. I swear my parents must have added Nicol to my warm milk.

I can't get past the idea that Ken Jones story would make a good Hallmark movie!

Santa is real

I'm an only child and I loved having my cousins there for Christmas..... 

There were many that provide fond memories!

My parents wrote clues on our presents, which we had to try to figure out (if possible because sometimes they were hard) before we opened our gifts. It made the Christmas present opening time last quite a while since there were three girls, plus two parents (who also had clues from us). It was a family time with lots of laughing.

I also liked riding in the back of the pick up truck with my mom and some girl scouts singing Christmas carols around town.

Many interesting answers here!