As I conducted Christmas interviews I found myself thinking about my family's traditions and what the holiday means to me. In fact one of the individuals asked me about my family's traditions, which prompted me to think about them.
Christmas Eve was and is always spent with my mother's side of the family. On this night we usually eat a meal of appetizers including bacon wrapped shrimp. This tradition has changed a bit and lately we have enjoyed Chinese food together.
Following supper we open presents one at a time in a circle as my sister and I hand out gifts from under the tree. Following presents we used to always play the card game, 31. Nickels were a necessity to bring for Christmas Eve in order to play. This we haven't done in quite some time either, but we do all sit around and visit for awhile.
Growing up my sister and I would get ready for bed, with Mom we would leave cookies and milk for Santa as well as some celery or carrots for the reindeer, and would crawl into bed. My mom would then read to us, always the same book, The Night Before Christmas. We would be tuckered out by then and fall fast asleep awaiting Christmas morning.
Waking up at Oma and Opa's we would then go downstairs when we awoke. Not allowed to wake the other up before a certain time, in my memories I usually had to wait patiently for the time when I could wake her up and sometimes still have to. We would open our Santa present, have breakfast, and be off to spend Christmas Day with Granny.
Here we would get to spend the day with much of our family on my Dad's side because they live closer than my aunt's and uncle's on my Mom's side. Presents were opened and Christmas baking was had along with a variety of nuts we sat and cracked open with a squirrel nutcracker. One of the items always needed were rosettes. My mom tells me she used to make them, that Oma did too, but all I remember is Granny making them. It was always nice to see her, but this was something we always looked forward to at Christmas along with shortbread cookies.
Granny doesn't really bake anymore and we found ourselves without rosettes for a few years. Everyone in my family loves them and two years ago I decided I would take on the duty. It is a time consuming job, but definitely worth it. I in fact loved just listening to music and spending about two hours making approximately two dozen little deep fried cookies.
Heating the oil, mixing the batter, and figuring out how to actually use the iron, it took awhile but was fun. It reminded me of being about eight and helping Granny... By helping I mean she let me watch her make them and I got to put on the small amount of icing sugar because she was worried I would burn myself. When I presented the cookies that Christmas after supper she was very happy with me as a giant smile graced her face.
Christmas dinner is usually turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn in cream, fresh veggies, shrimp aspic salad, 24-hour salad, and homemade lefsa. Dessert is usually pie, but my aunt makes delicious Christmas pudding which is also enjoyed.
In all Christmas is a time to be spent with family. Even the day we come together on doesn't matter anymore, just as long as we're together. My sister is a flight attendant and is usually working on Christmas, though this year "working" includes a one night layover in Mexico, woe is her. I only kid, as it is difficult to be away from family during the holidays, which is why we now make our holiday land on any day we can be together.
Last year it was quite strange as I was in Australia. It was hot, sunny, and turkey wasn't even thought of because they are so expensive there. It was even more odd when I Skyped with my family who were getting ready to eat their big Christmas meal altogether, not being there was odd. I'm quite excited to be able to be home this year. My family is very close and I am very thankful for this.
Finally one of my favourite things about Christmas, besides the ability to spend it with family, eat amazing food, and enjoy the winter season, is wrapping presents. For some reason this is something I absolutely love doing. First year in university I not only wrapped the presents for my own family, but for the families of a couple of guys on my floor. I'm sure their mothers were surprised to receive a parcel with ribbons and bows that year as both of the guys said they usually just wrapped it using a lot of tape.
