It’s a night when carols play softly in the background, sung by artists who actually know what a melody is. Ahem, that means you, Mr. Bublé.

Now, the Boomer generation does Christmas Eve with a flair that’s lost on younger folks. First off, there’s the tree. Not for us the minimalist chic of “less is more.” No, sir. Our trees are adorned with every ornament from the first baby’s first Christmas to the latest craft our grandkids glued together. It’s topped, of course, with a star that’s been slightly crooked since 1976.

Then, there are the stockings, hung by the chimney with…a variety of hardware because no one’s quite sure where the original hooks went. Each stocking is a testament to practicality. Why stuff it with trinkets when you can fill it with socks and underwear? Festive and resourceful!

Out on the lawn, there might be a plastic reindeer or two from a bygone era when Rudolph’s nose was still red and not faded from the relentless sun. Flashy inflatable Santa’s need not apply – the boomers draw the Yuletide line at lawn decor that requires a power supply.

Now, a Boomer Christmas Eve isn’t complete without an age-old ritual – the last-minute gift wrapping. We’re not fooled by those pre-wrapped boxes at the store. Oh no, we’re going to wrap those presents ourselves, even if the tape refuses to come off the roll, and our scissors lost their edge sometime during the Carter administration.

As the evening wears on, we tell tales of how we once used phone books to prop up the Christmas table. And remember when holiday TV specials were an event, not something to DVR? When the only binge-watching was the snow falling outside?

Of course, there’s also the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, which inevitably includes a casserole dish that’s been in the family longer than most of the guests. Jell-O molds shimmer on the sideboard beside it, their mystery ingredients a closely guarded secret passed down through the generations in whispers.

As midnight approaches, boomers might find themselves a tad nostalgic as we reminisce about simpler times – when all it took was the jingle of sleigh bells to brighten our eyes, not the jangle of push notifications.

And as another Boomer Christmas Eve comes to a close, we give a wink and a nod to traditions old and new, remembering that despite the advances in technology, some things, like our fond memories and family quirks, are timeless.

So, to all the boomers out there settling in for a long winter’s nap, may your Christmas Eve be merry, bright, and just a touch off-center. Just the way we like it.