For the Drexler family of Delray Beach, Christmas is the most special and busiest time of the year. Whether it is decorating the house, shopping or going to one of their children's many sporting events, December is crammed with activity.


Front Row: Art, Rob, Debbie, and Koo
Back Row: Riley and Chloe

In addition to the holidays, December is also Art's birthday. This year he turned 15 and all he really wants for Christmas is his driver's permit. Although he's growing up, he still manages to get into the spirit. "I like the food at Christmas," he says.

Eleven-year old Chloe likes to shop and wrap gifts. "I like to make cookies and write a letter to Santa," she says. She loves the music and the lights and everything about the season.

Riley's favorite part of Christmas is buying gifts for his family. The 12-year old says, "I also like being out of school and watching football."

In what has become a tradition, every year Art builds a large manager he builds out of wood. It is lighted, filled with statues of the holy family and sits in the front yard.

Riley makes an advent wreath that remains on the kitchen table throughout the month. Every Sunday the family lights one of the four candles in the wreath.

Chloe arranges the manger inside the home. It is prominently displayed in their family room. Chloe says on Christmas Eve they place baby Jesus in his bed.

Another Drexler tradition is celebrating St. Nick's Day. This year it fell on Dec. 5th.
On St. Nick Eve the children leave their shoes outside the front door. When they wake up, their shoes are filled with candy and small gifts.

Debbie says because most of their family lives in the Midwest, it is usually just the five of them on Christmas.

They go to Mass on Christmas Eve and when they return home, the children are allowed to open one gift.

Once everyone is up on Christmas morning, they open their gifts. "The kids are always waiting for me to get out of bed," Rob says. Even Koo has a gift under the tree he says.

Later that morning the other neighborhood kids eventually wander over. Everyone has something new they're eager to show to the others.

Christmas afternoon the family often goes to the beach. In the evening they have a festive dinner.

The day after Christmas it's back to normal and Debbie says, "It makes me a little sad to see Christmas end. The air of expectation is over."

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