Now that Christmas Eve is upon us, we at The Foley Onlooker asked South Baldwin municipal leaders to share their favorite traditions of the holiday. Below are the answers we received.

One of our traditions is putting our individual stocking on display the first week in December (Rick, Sherri, Chad, Cindy, Justin and Chris).

— Rick Blackwell, Foley City Council

Our tradition for many years has been to have lunch with friends on Christmas Eve. Then the four of us are on the official “crashers” list for another friend's very large family party. In the evening I play Santa at a third party. The average age of the children who sit on Santa’s lap has gone from around 4 to 73-ish over the years. Now that many of the usual suspects (party attendees) have great grandchildren, the age is back to around 3.

— Sean Hickey, Perdido Beach Town Council

Favorite Christmas tradition would be getting together with family for dinner, favorite part of the dinner would be the pickled shrimp! (my mom’s recipe).

— Charlie Ebert, Foley City Council

Christmas Eve Service singing “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” I cry every year. I’m always overwhelmed by the power of Christians singing in celebration of the birth of Christ. We would then go home and open the Christmas Eve present, which was new pajamas so that everyone would look good for Christmas morning pictures. I just bought my grandson his first Christmas pajamas so the tradition continues.

— Priscilla Thornton Condon, Perdido Beach Town Council

My favorite Christmas tradition is my wife’s homemade eggnog.

— John Koniar, Foley mayor

Lighting the Menorah.

— Gary Fishbein, Perdido Beach Town Council