I can still smell the gingerbread.

It’s the Christmas tradition that dominates my memories. When I’d attend midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with my family, there was always a hot loaf of gingerbread waiting for us at home.

We’d put the gingerbread on Christmas plates, sit near the tree and savor the brief window of time when our attention wasn’t focused on gifts, shopping or other avenues of daily stress.

It’s easy to forget the electronic gadget you got five Christmases ago. Forgetting the holiday traditions that defined your youth is more difficult -- if not impossible.

Here are some of the responses we got when we recently asked our Facebook fans to share their favorite holiday traditions.

Thanks for getting us in the spirit, Facebook fans.

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"Homemade chili by the fire on Christmas Eve every year with family.” (Kenna Sally Skellington Dixon)

"I have an ‘open house’ every Christmas Eve, where all my friends and family are welcome to stop by at any time. We let the kids open one present each, everyone comes and has a good time. I always end up with a houseful.” (Danielle Simmons Dean)

"When the kids were younger, we did a neighborhood ‘Christmas Craft Day’ on a day when the kids were on break. Each family hosted a progressive craft and special snack at their house. Reindeer food was made and bagged, cookies decorated, handmade ornaments, all for the kids to take home, etc. Wonderful Christmas memories for all the kids to cherish and great photos!” (Jan Woodfin Drew)

"Toys placed on the living room floor with apples, oranges, walnuts, pecans and Brazil nuts scattered around. The smell of breakfast and coffee in the air.” (Ben Blanton)

"Instead of a traditional prayer before our holiday meals, my family spends some time reflecting on the past year and then we write what we are most thankful for and take turns sharing at the table.” (Joanne Thompson)

"I make monkey bread Christmas morning while my babies play with their toys. That was the tradition growing up and I passed it to my kids.” (Amber Wilson Barefield)

"My Dad died Christmas Day 2000. Don’t be sad. We look at it as he was a gift to God on Jesus’ Bday. Our tradition is my Mom (widow) stays the night with us. She sleeps with the kids and has to get up when they do. My hubby and I wait by the tree and watch our two kids and my Mom’s face as they see what Santa brought. We make a large breakfast and always talk about my father and the meaning of Christmas.” (Maria Robinson)

"I buy a book for each of my two boys and write the past year’s memories on the inside cover.” (Glen Bray)

"Our family attends the Candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve, it is so special! On Christmas Day our family shares dinner! A beautiful time to remember the birth of Jesus.” (Penny Carter)

"My new husband had a family tradition that I have adopted. Each Christmas, all of the children (grown) get Christmas stockings full of practical items...lip balm, cough drops, hand lotion...whatever we have collected during the year and stowed away in the closet. It is so fun to go through our collection each year and decide who gets what. One child, several years ago, got a roll of bathroom tissue and an explanation that she should be thankful for bathroom tissue because some people didn’t have it. I love this tradition!” (Kimberly DeLamar Orsini)

"My grandmother started what we call a tree gift which is a small present for each grandchild and great grandchild that is placed under a small tabletop size tree every year for each of us and it is now something my mom is starting to be able to carry on with her grandchildren.” (Amy Lang Mailhot)

"Erecting the Festivus pole is my favorite part of the whole year!” (Tom Smith)

"Pizza takeout and driving around looking at lights Christmas Eve!” (Michelle Pippin)

"Chinese Christmas picking numbers and stealing gifts back and forth is fun for the whole family!” (James Pollock)