About 20 years ago, I invented a fun holiday tradition to play with my grandparents, parents, aunt, and cousins: Noel Games.

The tradition went on for many, many years. Then, however, I switched holidays and started spending a week at the beach with my family at Thanksgiving instead of Christmas break.

I’ve been missing this sweet tradition! Especially now that the boys are older, I think it’s time to resurrect the tradition. Here’s how it goes:

Noel Games Preparation

1. Purchase and wrap small gifts (approximately $5 each—things like lottery tickets are fun!). You will need one gift per participant (although you will be buying generic gifts—not particular gifts for particular