Our Waffle House Christmas Eve Tradition

For many years, our Christmas Eve tradition started with getting dressed up to attend service at our local church. After the service, we drove around to view holiday light displays until we decided to head home to put the kids in bed. The bedtime routine that night consisted of scattering reindeer food in the front yard, placing cookies out for Santa, and reading one last Christmas story. With thoughts of presents buzzing around their heads, prayers were said, kisses were given, and lights turned out.

After their bedtime, my wife and I began our work. We scurried around putting toys together, stuffing stockings, wrapping gifts, and getting everything perfectly organized under the tree. Finally, sometime after midnight, “Santa” ate the cookies and drank the egg nog and headed to bed for an early wake-up call the next morning. I enjoyed those years but I knew the routine would change once our kids grew up.

The change of tradition happened 5 years ago. My older kids were in high school and there was less emphasis on getting home and getting cookies and reindeer food out for our overnight visitors. Instead, we ended up hanging around the church with some friends. They needed to stay for the late service. We waited around to try and help bridge their downtime. We decided to go somewhere nearby and grab a bite to eat. On Christmas Eve, you have limited choices, but we knew one place that would be open, Waffle House.

There’s Always Room in the Waffle House

My wife was not too keen on the idea of upending tradition. Besides, we still had presents to finish wrapping and other things to do, she protested. I countered with the fact our teenagers would definitely not be getting up at 6 AM. We had more time. I allayed her fears and she happily got on board. So, my wife, our three kids, and the two friends all piled into the minivan to head out. As it happened, a Waffle House was conveniently located just 20 minutes away, which would be plenty of time to get our friends back to church for the 11:00 service.

The Inn in Bethlehem may have been full, but there was plenty of room available inside the Waffle House. As we walked in, we were showered in bright lights, yellow and black tile, and the greasy smells of cooking breakfast. The jukebox was cranking out Christmas tunes. I think the song was Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You. The largest table in the place fit four people, so we found 2 booths and slid in.

The place was full of people. One family gathered together in their pajamas to exchange presents. A couple of police officers were finishing up their break. Several travelers were grabbing coffee-to-go. A spattering of people looked like they were trying to avoid something. Luckily, I think we were too early for the late-night party crew searching out greasy tidings. This wasn’t where I envisioned spending the evening, but, somehow, it seemed right anyway. Time to enjoy something new.

What Do You Want on Top of That?

We grabbed menus. Our server stopped over to greet us. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem too thrilled to be there on this holy night when everything else was closed. Who could blame her? Her service, however, was prompt and efficient. She was scheduled past midnight with two little kids waiting at home for Christmas morning to dawn. This was not her dreamy Christmas Eve tradition.

We pored over the menus. Everyone focused on a selection from the breakfast side of the menu. I thoroughly enjoyed a full order of smothered and covered hash browns, a perfect late-night snack. Chocolate chip waffles are another favorite item to order. I will confess, on later trips, I have ordered up the full hash brown skillet. You will not need breakfast Christmas morning with that selection. I promise.

A New Tradition is Born

As the meal finished up and we received our check, we felt great compassion for our server and how challenging this must be for her. I am sure she would rather be with her family, but she surely needs the money and the hours that go with it. My wife and I have always made it a point to tip well since we both have a history of waiting tables. On this night, however, we made the decision to leave our server an extra tip. We wanted to share our appreciation for being on duty on Christmas Eve. We finished paying, wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and headed home for the night.

That night gave us warm memories of being together with friends and family and enjoying a meal together. We loved the food and the music and mixing with the other customers. I hope we made the work go a bit faster for those employees on duty.

My family has decided to make a trip to Waffle House every Christmas Eve our new tradition. Since our kids are older and our gifts don’t typically require assembly, we have less urgency to get home. Instead, we will be heading to the “House”. They’re open whether we decide to be there or not. I hope our visit might share some blessings to brighten things up just a tiny bit more. Maybe we will see you there. Merry Christmas!