Jinger Duggar reveals what it was REALLY like celebrating Christmas with 18 SIBLINGS

Jinger Duggar has revealed what it was really like celebrating Christmas with 18 siblings.

The author posted a YouTube episode on Wednesday with her husband Jeremy Vuolo, 36, recalling her holiday traditions growing up in the Duggars household under her parents Jim Bob, 58, and Michelle, 57.

Jinger, 30, described Christmas mornings as 'chaos' as all her family members 'opened up' [their] gifts at a time.”

However, she admits that the family came to realize that their Christmas experience was “not that special” when they were all tearing up presents at the same time, so they started opening presents “one at a time” to really get into the festive spirit. to record. moment.

During the episode, her husband inquired about how Jinger spent Christmas when she was young.

“So Christmas morning is a special morning for you?” he said.

'Creep into the thoughts of little Jinger, six-year-old Jinger on a Christmas morning. What do you feel when you wake up?'

She said she hardly slept at night and got up early in the morning “when it was still dark.”

Jinger went downstairs, turned on all the Christmas lights, and then woke her parents up so they could get to work opening their presents.

“It was also a little crazy because for so many years we had all been buying gifts for each other, so if that meant going to the Dollar Store, I would buy each of my siblings a gift.”

She continued the tradition until her siblings turned 17 or 18.

'We [gave gifts] almost all the way up until that time, as far as I remember, and so it was so crazy because it was like chaos, you know?

'You had presents everywhere and it was just a lot of fun and then we decided that we should all just pick one name and buy a gift for that individual person, but my parents still bought gifts for each of us and made it into a gift . very special.'

Her parents created their own version of stocking gift bags.

They filled everyone with a jar of Vlasic pickles and each child had their name on it.

Jinger recalled that a year ago her parents bought a five-gallon bucket of pickles at a restaurant that contained the “expensive kind” of kosher dill.

Her parents also got the family their “favorite pretzels” from Sam's club and said, “You can each take three pretzels from the freezer.”

Each child also got what their “favorite thing” was to snack on.

'For me it was Pringles, which were very special for us to get.

“We wouldn't get a lot of those snacks or junk food, so it was the Pringles pizza.”

In addition to enjoying her favorite snacks, Jinger said the family's Christmas lunch was Stouffer's lasagna.

When it comes to how Jinger now celebrates the holiday with her husband and her two daughters Felicity, 4, and Evangeline, 3, the mom loves to be festive.

Her family had professional family photos taken for the first time and the Christmas cards with the photo were sent to more than 200 addresses.

Jinger also created gift boxes for her neighbors filled with candles, holiday tea towels, chocolates, candy canes and cookies, along with their Christmas card.

She visited all the neighbors and let them know, “Thank you for being the best neighbors.”

During the episode, Jinger confessed that her three favorite Christmas movies are Christmas with the Kranks, Home Alone and Elf.

She admitted that she loves the winter activities like skiing, building a snowman and then watching a seasonal movie while staying cozy inside.

As for her favorite foods and drinks, Jinger is still the biggest fan of her mom's homemade pumpkin pie and loves “coffee with cinnamon and all the warm spices.”

“It's my favorite holiday ever because it's so festive. It's so much fun and most importantly, it's focusing on Jesus.”

Jinger said she was “always so amazed” at how many people, even non-believers of traditional Christian values, sang Christmas carols “all over the world.”

'I think that's really cool. I always listen in stores and I think, “That's great. They're singing about Jesus. They're singing about the birth of Christ.” I love it.'

Jinger confessed that “one of” their daughter Evangeline's “words she said first” was “Santa Claus.”

The doting mother believes the holiday spirit brings everyone together.

“When you're busy all year round, this is the season to connect with people: your neighbors, friends, loved ones in the neighborhood.”

Her husband intervened, adding, “Calm down. Think of others.'

He concluded the seasonal video by telling viewers, “We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy it with your families.

'We will eat much less than healthy food. I'm going to drink a lot of eggnog. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.'

Jill released her book Becoming Free Indeed in January 2023.