PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked people to share some of their Christmas holiday traditions.

Linda Hamilton: "I set my alarm clock for 4 a.m. on Christmas. When I wake up, I go around the house and knock on everyone's door yelling Merry Christmas and singing Christmas songs, making sure that everyone gets up and goes to the Christmas tree to open gifts together.

Brad Amrhein: "Our family has an annual award called the `Fork-U-Lator' award that goes to the person who has pulled the biggest bonehead stunt of the year. It will be the 12th year for it. The previous year's winner picks the new winner. It's a kind of traveling trophy."

Allan Maki: "We enjoy going to a Christmas tree farm and picking out our tree. We take pictures every year of all of the kids in front of the tree before we cut it down. Also, we make some ornaments for the tree. We'll hang some preserved 10-year-old cookies on the tree."

Elaine Michelson: "We always gather at my husband's home on Christmas Eve. His mother always makes oyster stew. My husband and I have started a tradition. We go to our back yard on our farm and cut down a cedar Christmas tree for the house. I guess we will until we run out."

Aleene Warden: "Most of the time about 55 of our family get together at my parent's house the weekend before Christmas. My father decorates with lighted displays he has made. We sing Christmas carols outside and people come to look and sing along."

Teresa Haubold: "I started a Christmas tree skirt when by daughter Kelly was born in 1978. Each year I trace around Kelly's and Heather's right hand on red felt and sew the hand prints on the skirt. The prints now go all around the tree skirt, and I'm starting a second time around."