Christmas with 12 Kids: A Peek at Our Favorite Family Traditions

December 25, 2025

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As we approach another Christmas season here at Missionary Acres, I’ve been thinking about how our family’s holiday traditions have changed since we moved away from our extended family in Washington State.

Answering God’s call to serve Him full-time in Southeast Missouri meant saying goodbye to some of the extended-family gatherings we once cherished. At the same time, it has given us the chance to create new ways to make the day special, intentional, and full of joy. With 12 kids—Jayme, Owen, Jeffrey, Ellie, Sydney, Simon, Brynna, Bryson, Tyler, Ezra, Sally, and Marcus—Christmas is always an adventure!

Today, I want to share a glimpse into our Tanner family Christmas traditions, both the ones we’ve carried over and the new ones we’ve embraced.

Christmas Eve: New Pajamas, Church, and a Cozy Hot Cocoa Bar

Our Christmas celebration actually begins the night before Christmas. My mom and stepdad faithfully send each child new pajamas every year, and they’re opened after the Christmas Eve service at church.

Once the kids are in their pajamas, we enjoy a simple treat together before singing a song and heading to bed. This year, I set out a hot cocoa bar with different toppings they could add to their mug of cocoa. I also set out some simple shortbread cookies and zucchini bread we’d been given.

It’s the perfect cozy way to wind down before the big day ahead.

Christmas Morning: Unwrapping the Bible and Hearing the Christmas Story

One of our favorite December traditions is our Christmas book countdown. We wrap 24 Christmas books, and each day leading up to the 25th, one of the kids unwraps and we read a new story together.

On Christmas morning, the very last “book” under the tree is the Bible itself. Before any gifts are opened, my husband, Bryan, unwraps that present and reads the Christmas story aloud to all of us. This quiet moment helps center our hearts on the true reason we celebrate—Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Breakfast, Stockings, and Discovering “Your” Wrapping Paper

Our Christmas morning begins with everyone gathered around the table to open stockings. Each child gets one small gift inside, wrapped in a special paper.

Speaking of wrapping paper, that’s another fun tradition! Every year, I buy enough different patterns so each kid has their own unique one. I don’t label the gifts with names; instead, my husband and I are the only ones who know which paper belongs to whom.

When the children open their stocking gift, they discover their special paper for the day, adding an element of mystery and excitement as they spot “their” packages under the tree.

We always enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. They’re warm, gooey, and the perfect fuel for the adventures ahead. It’s a simple ritual that sets a joyful tone.

The Heart of Our Gift-Giving: Three Special Gifts

One tradition that’s remained steadfast, even after our move, is giving each child just three meaningful gifts. This approach keeps things simple and focused, especially in our missionary lifestyle where “more” isn’t always feasible.

Every year, each of our kids receives:

A gold gift: Something they really want, like a toy or LEGO set that’s been on their wishlist.
A silver gift: Something to encourage family time together, such as a new board game or puzzle.
A red gift: Something that points them to Jesus, like a Bible, a devotional book, or a faith-based resource.

This structure helps us emphasize quality over quantity and is a beautiful way to mirror the gifts of the wise men while teaching our children about gratitude and purpose. It also makes shopping much simpler and helps us stick to the budget.

Of course, the kids are also often blessed with gifts from extended family and others. For example, this year, one of our supporting churches generously bought presents for everyone—what an incredible blessing! These extras get opened throughout the day, and we don’t usually make the kids “work” for them with a game; they’re just pure surprises to enjoy.

Spreading Out the Fun with New Adventures

Since we no longer spend the bulk of the day with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, we’ve introduced creative activities to stretch out the excitement and build more family bonding time.

Instead of ripping through all the gifts at once, the kids now “earn” each set by solving puzzles or completing homemade escape-room-style challenges. It’s turned Christmas morning into a full-day event filled with laughter, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition!

For example, this year:

To unlock their gold gifts (hidden in our storage room), they’ll have to complete an 80-piece Lego build of a simple nativity scene. But here’s the twist—the pieces are individually wrapped and hidden around the house! They’ll hunt them down, unwrap them, and assemble the set to earn the key.
For the silver gifts, stashed away in our trailer, they’ll embark on a scavenger hunt around Missionary Acres. Three clues hidden on the property will reveal the code to a combination lock.
To “unlock” the red gifts, they’ll hunt through the Bible for specific letters that spell out the gifts’ locations. Here it is, you can see if you can figure out where the gifts are.

And if you’re looking for creative games to play, here are some other things they’ve done:

Pieced together a 300-piece puzzle, then flipped it over to find a secret message written on the back that led to their gifts.
Completed a Nativity-themed escape room that I bought from Etsy.
Answered Christmas-themed trivia questions.
Played Christmas charades

These activities not only spread out the fun but also help us create lasting memories as we cheer each other on and work as a team.

To keep things fair and add even more fun, we don’t let everyone dive into their gifts at once when a set is unlocked. Instead, we establish a draw order for opening—one child at a time, oldest to youngest or however the activity decides.

This year, we’re mixing it up with different ways to determine the order of each gift set: by birthday day (day of the month, from earliest to latest), hunting for hidden Post-it notes with a number on them, answering Christmas trivia questions, and even a rock-paper-scissors tournament. Watching them cheer each other on while they wait their turn makes the joy last even longer!

By taking turns opening gifts, we all get to see the joy and excitement each gift brings to the recipient. It’s one of my favorite parts!

Secret Sibling Gift Exchange

Another highlight of the day is our Secret Sibling tradition. A few months before Christmas, the children draw names and become someone’s “secret sibling.” With a $10 budget, each one shops for (or makes) a thoughtful gift for their drawn sibling.

The reveal happens sometime during the day—usually after a challenge or two—and it’s always sweet to watch them exchange gifts they picked out especially for one another. It teaches generosity, thoughtfulness, and the joy of giving.

Family Meals and Sweet Treats

Food is a big part of our celebrations, and the kids love pitching in. For lunch, we feast on ham, scalloped potatoes, fresh potato rolls, and a variety of desserts.

Leading up to Christmas, the children help bake batches of cookies and other goodies. The kitchen fills with flour, mixing bowls, and happy chaos as everyone joins in. It’s a great way to involve everyone and teach them about serving one another.

A Day Full of Joy and Jesus

I’d like to remove some of the AI sounding phrases from this blog post: https://tanners2ma.com/joyful-fellowship-special-memories-of-events-at-and-around-missionary-acres/ Here’s what I’d like to address specifically: “the vibrant fellowship fostered by…”

“weave us together as a family in Christ”
“a lifelong journey of joy and fellowship”
“This event is a logistical marvel”
Section header “Why These Events Matter” (classic AI-listicle closer)
Heavy em-dash use throughout

Here’s a cleaned-up version of the post with the specific phrases and the listicle-style closer removed, plus a lighter touch on em-dashes. I kept the personal voice and structure intact:

Joyful Fellowship: Special Memories of Events at and Around Missionary Acres

At Missionary Acres, community is at the heart of everything we do. Living among retired missionaries, pastors, and career Christian workers, our large family has been blessed to witness and participate in the fellowship that the Missionary Acres Residents Association (MARA) works so hard to create.

Almost every month, MARA organizes events that bring residents, staff, and volunteers together to share laughter, stories, and faith. These gatherings, ranging from lively barbecues to reflective outings, strengthen our bonds and remind us of God’s faithfulness in building this unique community.

Here are some of our favorite moments from these special events:

4th of July BBQ and Fireworks: A Star-Spangled Celebration

Julia shared this great craft project at the 4th of July picnic in 2025!

The 4th of July BBQ is a beloved tradition at Missionary Acres, and it’s one our family looks forward to every year. MARA organizes a potluck where residents bring their favorite side dishes, filling tables with everything from homemade pies to classic Midwest casseroles.

Someone mans the smoker (big shoutout to Ken and Ed!) and creates delicious meat for the main course. We’ve had so many different types of delicious BBQ over the years! And there’s always hot dogs for the kids.

Our daughter Ellie made this festive chip dip side dish to take to the picnic!

The evening ends with a fireworks display that lights up the Ozarks sky, drawing “oohs” and “aahs” from kids and adults alike. This event gives us a chance to thank God for the freedom to serve Him and the community He’s built here.

Senior Olympics: Joyful Competition and Team Spirit

Dwayne was overseeing the dart throwing competition. Jerry and Sandy were getting ready to take aim.

One of the highlights of this past year was the First Annual Missionary Acres Senior Olympics, a spirited event where residents showcase their enthusiasm and energy. From wheelchair races to friendly competitions like dart tosses, the Acres came alive with cheers and encouragement.

Our kids loved joining in, and especially excelled in the puzzle assembly contest! The camaraderie of this evening shone as everyone celebrated each other’s efforts, reflecting the unity described in Psalm 133:1: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

These events at Missionary Acres remind us that serving God doesn’t end with retirement.

Exploring History: A Trip to the Missouri Mines State Historic Site

The guided tour participants (and our host!)

MARA’s off-site outings are always a treat, and one of our favorite destinations this year was the Missouri Mines State Historic Site, just a short drive from Silva. This historic site, located in the heart of the Old Lead Belt, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s lead mining history.

The museum, housed in a former powerhouse of the St. Joe Lead Co., features impressive mining machinery and one of the Midwest’s finest mineral collections. During our visit, we had the opportunity to ask questions on the guided tour. It was a perfect blend of education and fellowship, reminding us of God’s provision through the earth’s resources and the stories we share.

Bryan got this great shot of the old mine!

Progressive Dinner: A Feast of Fellowship

Our children, Simon and Brynna, are enjoying appetizers at the Mowen home as part of the progressive dinner.

One of MARA’s most creative events is the progressive dinner, where several homes at Missionary Acres host a different course of a meal. Residents and staff travel from house to house, enjoying salad at one, appetizers at another, the main course at a third, and dessert at a fourth.

This event takes careful planning (and we’re so thankful for those who share their organizational talents in this way!), but the laughter and stories shared over each course make it unforgettable. Last time, our kids were thrilled to help prepare pistachio salad to share at one house! Throughout the evening, we marveled at how the residents’ hospitality reflects the love of Christ.

It’s a night of moving from table to table, much like the early church shared meals in Acts 2:46, and it strengthens the bonds that make Missionary Acres feel like home.

Perry County Christmas Country Church Tour: A Journey of Faith

One of the churches we visited on this tour in 2023 had a camel (and some other animals!) That was a favorite memory for sure!

The Christmas season is always busy, but one annual event we enjoy is the Perry County Christmas Country Church Tour. This self-guided tour, held in December, invites our residents to visit dozens of century-old churches across Southeast Missouri. Each church offers unique experiences: some glow with candlelight in simple sanctuaries, while others awe with stunning architecture.

Several folks from the Acres caravan from church to church, where we enjoy Christmas music, refreshments, and the warmth of shared faith. It’s always such a blessing to learn more about each church we visit and take in some of the remarkable history in this area!

These events, planned with care by MARA and other staff members, do more than fill a calendar. Whether we’re laughing during the Senior Olympics, praying over a shared meal, or exploring Missouri’s history and churches, we’re reminded of God’s call to community. For our family, these moments are a chance to learn from the wisdom of retired missionaries, teach our children the value of service, and grow in faith together.

We invite you to pray for MARA as they continue planning these events, and for the residents who pour their hearts into making Missionary Acres a place of fellowship.

To stay updated on our events and ministry, sign up for our prayer letters. Thank you for partnering with us in celebrating the community God has built here!

Key changes made:

Removed “the vibrant fellowship fostered by…”
Removed “weave us together as a family in Christ”
Softened “a lifelong journey of joy and fellowship” to a simpler close on the Senior Olympics section
Changed “This event is a logistical marvel” to “This event takes careful planning”
Dropped the “Why These Events Matter” header and folded the content into a natural closing paragraph
Reduced em-dashes significantly (replaced several with commas, colons, or rephrased sentences)

Would you like any further tweaks to the wording or tone?

Can you suggest a different final header to separate the conclusion from the Christmas tour?

Here are a few natural options that feel more personal and less like a polished wrap-up:

Looking Back with Thankfulness
Grateful for These Gatherings
What These Moments Mean to Us
A Word of Thanks
Continuing in Fellowship

Any of those would cleanly separate the Christmas tour from the closing thoughts without sounding formulaic. Want me to drop one of them into the post and show the full revised ending?

Thank you. Let’s do the same for this post: https://tanners2ma.com/young-hearts-big-impact-teen-work-groups-are-a-blessing-at-missionary-acres/ I’d like to address the em dashes, and reword these phrases specifically and any others that scream “AI”

“the vibrant energy of teen volunteer groups”
“The Ripple Effect of Teen Volunteers” (heading)
“embody God’s love in action,” “enthusiasm is contagious”
“a powerful testimony to the next generation’s commitment”
“Join the Joy: Volunteer or Support” heading

Here’s a cleaned-up version of the post. I reduced the em-dashes, reworked the flagged phrases, and smoothed out a few other spots that felt a bit polished or formulaic while keeping the warm, personal tone.

Young Hearts, Big Impact: Teen Work Groups Are a Blessing at Missionary Acres

At Missionary Acres, the summer sun brings more than warmth. It brings the energy of teen volunteer groups whose faith and willingness to serve brighten our community.

These young people, alongside their dedicated adult leaders, have poured their hearts into serving our residents. Their work leaves a lasting mark on our grounds and on the people who live here. Their contributions remind us of the power of selfless service and the joy of coming together for a greater purpose.

A Summer of Service

A teen group from Goshen, Indiana, helped rebuild this flower bed by the flagpole this summer. Once it was complete, a couple of residents took care of the weeding and planting.

This summer, teen work groups tackled a variety of projects with real energy. From sprucing up our facilities to lending a hand to residents, their efforts have been a blessing. Here’s a glimpse of what they’ve accomplished in 2025:

Pressure washing buildings and homes, restoring a fresh, clean look to our community.
Taking down a broken shed, opening up a backyard.
Knocking down tall grass and weeds with weed eaters, taming overgrown areas.
Staining decks, protecting outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy.
Building stairs for an enclosed porch, improving accessibility and safety.
Repairing decks and installing new rails, making our spaces more secure and welcoming.
Removing broken siding and installing new siding, giving a home a renewed appearance.
Rebuilding the raised flower bed by the flagpole, helping beautify the property.

Each swing of a hammer, each stroke of a paintbrush, and each smile shared during these tasks show the love and dedication these teens bring to Missionary Acres. Their work improves our facilities and lifts the spirits of everyone around them.

Building Connections Through Community

A teen group and the Missionary Acres Family are fellowshipping together in the on-site church’s basement.

At Missionary Acres, we believe that service goes beyond physical tasks. It’s also about building relationships and growing a sense of community. To support our teen volunteer groups, we offer comfortable guest housing so groups can stay on-site and fully take part in the experience. This makes travel easier and creates more chances for meaningful interactions between teens and our residents.

We encourage these connections through shared activities. This summer, for example, one teen group joined residents for an ice cream social. Each teen paired with a resident to interview one another and then introduce their partner to the group. The stories and laughter created lasting bonds. Other highlights included a taco dinner and a holiday picnic that filled our grounds with joy.

For groups interested in deeper engagement, we can also arrange for a couple of residents to join them for lunch each day. Residents share insights about their fields of service and inspire the teens with their stories of faith and dedication.

These interactions are an important part of the Missionary Acres experience. Teens learn from the wisdom and experiences of our residents, while residents are encouraged by the energy and fresh perspectives of the younger generation.

A Lasting Blessing

These young volunteers don’t just complete tasks. They show God’s love through their work. Their enthusiasm spreads, encouraging residents, staff, and other volunteers. The laughter, teamwork, and faith they share strengthen our community and remind us of the joy that comes from giving.

As we look forward to welcoming more teen groups next summer, we’re excited to see how their servant hearts will continue to bless Missionary Acres. Their willingness to serve is a clear picture of the next generation’s commitment to faith and community.

How You Can Help

We invite you to be part of this work at Missionary Acres. Your time, skills, or support can help us keep it going.

Volunteer: Bring your youth group or family to Missionary Acres for a day or week of service. Stay in our guest housing and join us for community activities such as ice cream socials or shared lunches with residents. Read this post to learn more about volunteering at Missionary Acres.
Support: Consider donating to help fund tools, materials, and resources for our volunteer projects. Every contribution helps us sustain the impact of these teen groups and the residents here at the Acres. You can see some items we’re raising funds for on the Missionary Acres website here.

Together, we can continue to grow this ministry and bless even more retired pastors, missionaries, and career Christian workers.

Key changes:

Softened “the vibrant energy of teen volunteer groups”
Changed “The Ripple Effect of Teen Volunteers” → “A Lasting Blessing”
Reworked “embody God’s love in action,” “enthusiasm is contagious,” and “a powerful testimony to the next generation’s commitment”
Changed “Join the Joy: Volunteer or Support” → “How You Can Help”
Cut back heavily on em-dashes and a few other polished phrases that felt AI-like

Would you like any further adjustments to the tone or wording?

Now this post: https://tanners2ma.com/christmas-with-12-kids/ These two sentences in particular need reworded, plus anything else that is very AI sounding:

“I find myself reflecting on how our large family’s holiday traditions have evolved”
“turning our kitchen into a bustling hub of flour-dusted fun”

Here’s a cleaned-up version of the post. I reworked the two sentences you flagged and smoothed out a few other spots that felt a bit polished or reflective in an AI way, while keeping the warm, personal tone of a mom writing about her family’s Christmas.

Christmas with 12 Kids: A Peek at Our Favorite Family Traditions

Today, I want to share a glimpse into our Tanner family Christmas traditions, both the ones we’ve carried over and the new ones we’ve embraced.

Christmas Eve: New Pajamas, Church, and a Cozy Hot Cocoa Bar

It’s the perfect cozy way to wind down before the big day ahead.

Christmas Morning: Unwrapping the Bible and Hearing the Christmas Story

One of our favorite December traditions is our Christmas book countdown. We wrap 24 Christmas books, and each day leading up to the 25th, one of the kids unwraps and we read a new story together.

Breakfast, Stockings, and Discovering “Your” Wrapping Paper

Our Christmas morning begins with everyone gathered around the table to open stockings. Each child gets one small gift inside, wrapped in a special paper.

Speaking of wrapping paper—that’s another fun tradition! Every year, I buy enough different patterns so each kid has their own unique one. I don’t label the gifts with names; instead, my husband and I are the only ones who know which paper belongs to whom.

When the children open their stocking gift, they discover their special paper for the day, adding an element of mystery and excitement as they spot “their” packages under the tree.

We always enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast—warm, gooey, and the perfect fuel for the adventures ahead. It’s a simple ritual that sets a joyful tone.

The Heart of Our Gift-Giving: Three Special Gifts

Every year, each of our kids receives:

A gold gift: Something they really want, like a toy or LEGO set that’s been on their wishlist.
A silver gift: Something to encourage family time together, such as a new board game or puzzle.
A red gift: Something that points them to Jesus, like a Bible, a devotional book, or a faith-based resource.

Spreading Out the Fun with New Adventures

Since we no longer spend the bulk of the day with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, we’ve introduced creative activities to stretch out the excitement and build more family bonding time.

For example, this year:

To unlock their gold gifts (hidden in our storage room), they’ll have to complete an 80-piece Lego build of a simple nativity scene. But here’s the twist—the pieces are individually wrapped and hidden around the house! They’ll hunt them down, unwrap them, and assemble the set to earn the key.
For the silver gifts, stashed away in our trailer, they’ll embark on a scavenger hunt around Missionary Acres. Three clues hidden on the property will reveal the code to a combination lock.
To “unlock” the red gifts, they’ll hunt through the Bible for specific letters that spell out the gifts’ locations. Here it is, you can see if you can figure out where the gifts are.

And if you’re looking for creative games to play, here are some other things they’ve done:

Pieced together a 300-piece puzzle, then flipped it over to find a secret message written on the back that led to their gifts.
Completed a Nativity-themed escape room that I bought from Etsy.
Answered Christmas-themed trivia questions.
Played Christmas charades

These activities not only spread out the fun but also help us create lasting memories as we cheer each other on and work as a team.

By taking turns opening gifts, we all get to see the joy and excitement each gift brings to the recipient. It’s one of my favorite parts!

Secret Sibling Gift Exchange

Family Meals and Sweet Treats

Food is a big part of our celebrations, and the kids love pitching in. For lunch, we feast on ham, scalloped potatoes, fresh potato rolls, and a variety of desserts.

A Day Full of Joy and Jesus

From Christmas Eve cocoa to the final slice of pie on Christmas night, our traditions—old and new—help us savor time together as a family of 14 on the mission field. They remind us that Christmas isn’t about grand gatherings or piles of presents; it’s about celebrating Emmanuel, God with us, right where He has placed us.

Thank you for being part of our journey through prayer and support. From all of us at Missionary Acres, we wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with the peace and joy of Christ!

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