Share your traditions . . . .

[Bucky]

Since there will be lots of celebrations coming up here shortly, I thought it would be fun to start a thread for us to share what our "traditions" are.  It could be for anything . . . birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years . . . whatever celebration it is.  Is there a special plate you use, clothes you wear, food you eat, place you go, things you do, etc. ??  We normally don't want to get into "religion" on this forum . . but I think for this purpose of explaining your traditions, they would bend the rules.   Just no preaching please.   

When I think of the word traditions, it brings a warm glow to my heart to remember Christmas as a kid.  Our first "tradition" was that we HAD to have breakfast first before opening presents.  For our family, our "traditional breakfast" was waffles and spam.  (I know, some of you are thinking ewwww spam . . . actually, I like it!).   Our second tradition was that we opened our stockings first.  Today, we do this same - open your stocking first tradition with my own family.   

Okay . . . what's your tradition(s)??

Bucky

[Scottietottie]

Hi Bucky 

Our tradition was that kids could open their stockings as soon as they woke up but NOTHING else had to get touched until everyone was up, about and breakfasted.
Religion never figured in our house - it was purely going along with the commercial spend-fest. Hubby and I often wished we could move it to New Year which is more celebrated in Scotland anyway. Community pressure prevailed however.

When we moved away from 'home' (NE Scotland) the extended family didn't figure any more and so we let the kids choose a menu. We had fish fingers and baked beans one year. At least none of it got thrown out. We had a few 'Indian' Christmases. (my favourite.) We got a really mixed take-away from an Indian Restaurant on Xmas Eve and simply reheated it on Xmas Day. Everyone got plenty to eat and again with minimal wastage. This suited my carnivore, my vegetarian and my two lactose intolerant children. I'll eat anything. Left little washing up either. A relaxing day was had by all.

Then my vegetarian daughter got stroppy and decided that Xmas should be 'traditional'. Now hubby and the two yougest kids don't like turkey - and she's vegetarian. My two youngest kids don't like vegetables either.
I gave up and hubby took over cooking Xmas dinner + oldest daughter when available.

This year will be interesting. All 4 kids plus their partners are coming home. First time for 5 years. First time so many partners. I still don't know what we're eating. The vegetarian favours goose. I think her husband and my oldest son are the only two who would eat it.

One year I hope they all want Xmas in their own homes and Hubby and I can stay home and ignore the day completely!

Take care - Scottie 

[kimbo]

The fist tradition that popped into my head.......

My husband and I have carried this tradition on for over 30 years...... very religiously.......

When ever we find ourelves in an elevator alone..... we look at one another with our all knowing grins......

And we smooch religiously.    When the door opens,,,,, no one knows. 

Another one...

Howeling at the moon.

My daughter recently posted a picture on face book of our granddaughters howelling at the moon (ages 3 and 5) she said this is a memaw tradition. 

I KNOW !!!!       I really need to aim higher on my traditions.    But they are fun.    

I routinly in times of one on one with my daughters had count your blessings meetings. We would identify absolutely everything to be thankful for. This always elevated us to the reality of a better destination in times of troubles.
My daughter recently made for her daughters a Think on these things board, for them to keep an on going list of things to be thankful, for her daughters.
Even at ages 3 and 5 they need to navigate to higher destinations from troubled hearts.

Blessings kimbo

 

[Katybarstool]

My family tradition with my kids is to always make the paper chains for Christmas decorations. When the boys were little, we used to put a weekend aside before the 20 December (the youngest son's birthday) for htis important job. At 27, he now does this with his tiny children. It's so cute.

Kathyx

[Poochie]

For so many years now, hubby and I travel around to our grandchildren's houses on Christmas Eve.  (Those that live close)  Then around midnight, we come home to light our tree, drink a cup of coffee and have a piece of fruitcake.  (Yep, we're one of those people.  )

My husband is one those few people that love fruitcake.  His piece of cake is always bigger than mine, but I do enjoy a tiny slice of it.  Especially with my mocha coffee. 

Christmas cookies are also on list.

Then on Christmas morning we go to our youngest daughter's house and have breakfast with them.  Her husband, daughter, daughter's boyfriend and of course, ALL THE DOGS.  She has 14 and we take our 2.  Talk about a herd of Aussies.    (Australian Shepherds)   Mostly they are outside.

By noon the rest of the family begin to arrive and by 2 in the afternoon the place is jumping.  Usually it's about 26 of us there.  Then dinner, open gifts, and relax with the little ones. 

All in all it's a great day.  Now if this flu will stay away, we will be able to go again this year.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all,

Hugs, Pooh

[wallaby]

I grew up in the UK and when I was little Christmas breakfast would always be mini sausage rolls. (like pigs in blankets).  My Mum would put them in the oven and we could pick at them while everyone was opening presents, or have them for lunch while she was busy getting the big Christmas dinner ready.  I live in America now and I can't get sausage rolls, or at least not the kind I grew up with.  I have a 7 year old son with Type 1 diabetes, so we can't be so hit or miss with meal times as we were when I was little.  So our Christmas breakfast every year is waffles, with whatever weird or wonderful topping comes to mind.  Nothing is off limits.  This year I am thinking cream cheese, cranberry jelly and mandarins.  My 2 sons always try to out-gross each other with their toppings.  After breakfast we open presents, but we save our stockings for after dinner, so there is a little something to look forward to at the end of the day.  I try to keep my british traditions as much as possible.  We pull Christmas crackers at the table and everyone has to wear the hats throughout the meal.  I also make my own Christmas cake each year, although getting hold of marzipan can be tricky!

Other than that the only tradition I maintain is a gold and silver, sun and moon mobile that I hang each year.  We made one with my Mum when I was about 6 and it hung above the tree every year when I was growing up.  When I got married and moved away from home, my Mum made me a new one that I hang proudly every year.

[Katybarstool]

Wallaby

That sounds like a wonderful way to spend Christmas day.

Kathyx

[Blue Kat]

My family always goes to church on Christmas Eve and we always drive around to look at the lights afterwards and of course critique every display...the tackier they are, the harder we laugh.  LOL