Holiday traditions old and new - what's yours?

[Bucky]

Here we are past Thanksgiving and quickly coming up on Christmas day.  (These two holidays are really close together this year!)

Today, my husband and I were reminiscing about family traditions that our parents, grandparents, friends and family have had when we were growing up in the 50's.  (I love trips down memory lane!)

I remember both my mother and grandmother making "pressed" cookies for the holidays where you had the cookie gun with various disks that would make wreaths, trees, ribbons, etc.  I bought an older cookie gun at a garage sale years back and it also had a frosting gun w/disks & tips in the box. 

I don't use this cookie gun - I think pressing the lever would bother my hands (I don't have much strength in my hands).  But . . . I love the nostalgia this cookie gun represents to me of years gone by and traditions that were part of my growing up.

Another reason I don't use this cookie gun is that my husband is diabetic and shouldn't be eating all these cookies and I just know if the cookies were there, he would eat them (as would our son and me - which we all don't "need").

It seems any more that people are sooooo busy with everything that there is no time left in the day to bake all the big meals and desserts that I remember from days gone by.  Now, some people still do that - and I admire all the time and love they put into it.  Homemade meals / desserts really are the best!

This thread is just a fun thread to share any of your family traditions from years past or any new traditions you have adapted to your own families - whether it be a certain food you eat, ornament you hang, event you attend, the way you decorate, etc.

To me, it's not all about the gifts of the season - it's about the time spent together - whether putting a family puzzle together, volunteering at the food pantry, just sitting and sharing stories of our family through the years.

Or . . . .  sneaking into the glass candy dish sitting on grandma's coffee table that is filled with ribbon candy or pillow candy.     I have a glass covered candy dish in my hutch in the dining room - I'm not sure if it belonged to my grandma or was my mother's . . . but, I love it - it reminds me of happy times growing up. 

Your turn to share . . . . . .

Bucky

[Sleepy In Seattle]

We have TONS of family traditions, new and old - some go back 5+ generations, and some are new since my daughter was born. Here are a few:

I love to cook, but am not much of a baker. HOWEVER - every Christmas my mom would make these particular Christmas Buns (a Scandinavian recipe - sweet yeast dough with cardamom and candied fruits, with blanched almonds on top). The recipe is from a 1950's cookbook, and it never, EVER turns out the way it should...but year after year she'd try, and I carry it on now. Some years have been REAL disasters, especially since they have to be gluten-free and dairy-free now. We've had 'em turn out like hockey pucks, like pudding, and some years they're ALMOST perfect. But no matter what, they're made with love and we enjoy them. Kinda like life and the Holidays in general! 

The last 10 years, on Christmas eve every year we take the dog on a walk around the neighborhood before bed - no matter what the weather is. We enjoy the quiet, cold streets and the decorations in the neighborhood, and how the homes all look so snug and cozy. Being out in the cold makes us appreciate our own snug beds, and gives us empathy for those who are not so lucky, and resolve to help them more in the New Year.

We also love to watch "Holiday Inn" and "Elf" while sipping (non-dairy) eggnog.

I love the holidays....

[Ripvanann]

This is me... I'm Italian American and my kids are American American.... With a wee bit more Italian. So sad. This video makes everyone in my family cry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKITsQ7NQVw

[quilt4fun]

 Our family tradition starts on the week before Christmas with the Cantata and candle lighting service at church.

Christmas Eve we all gather at the church for the beginning of the Christmas story then walk across the field with candle light, following the shepherds, to barn where we find a live Nativity.  Each year we manage to find a new-born and his or her parents.  (Some years there have been animals) .
 
Then we head to a family members house for soup and sandwiches.  Gifts are exchanged between extended family members. 
   
On Christmas morning, my husband and i stay at home.  Our sons are busy with their children and their gifts.
   
  Mid morning our 3 sons come with their children and they get to open their gifts. Then we all gather at noon for a feast.  This year, it is at our house.  We will be serving 19; everyone helps bring a part of the meal.

About the middle of the afternoon, our sons and families head over the the in-laws for their time.

Each year, my main things to prepare are homemade rolls and all sorts of candies.  I think I made 10 different kinds this year.  The sad part this year, i can't eat the rolls (Now gluten free)  or the chocolates.

   This year, the adults have chosen to start a new tradition.  Instead of buying gifts for each other, we pooled our money and chose a charity to give it to.  There is a really good feeling about helping the less fortunate.  This year , we paid for a well in a third world country, gave chickens, teaching materials and soccer ball for youth ministry.

[jpd54]

Good for you, Quilt4fun!!!!   Such an excellent idea.   Here's wishing you and your family a

Very, Merry Christmas!!!

               Jennifer

[SjoGirl]

Growing up it was attending midnight mass. When they were alive my sister and brother-in-law also hosted a wonderful Christmas Eve party. For years he played Santa for his children then grandchildren, it was great to see the wonder in the children's eyes.

[Bucky]

Here's something I saw in a magazine that might become one of your new traditions / heirlooms to pass on.  Whenever you have family (or friends) get-together, but especially at the holidays - buy a white or light colored fabric tablecloth for the dining table.  Get a pen that will write on fabric and have each person present sign their name and date it (and they could leave a little note if they wanted to).

It could become a family heirloom that is passed down from generation to generation.  Just a thought.

I know some people have old family ornaments that is a tradition to display during the holidays.  Genko has one (I believe) that is over a hundred years old!

My mom had this standing Mr. & Mrs. Santa that was on a base that turned and played music - it was always displayed on our mantel over the fireplace when I was growing up.  I have it . . . . somewhere . . . . if I could only remember "where" I put it!!   

Bucky

[katie1111]

Years ago (like 30 or 40) my cousins invited my husband and I to join them in one of their Christmas traditions - a Messiah Sing-a-long.  I love to sing, but no one enjoys listening to me.  At the time, this was an annual event held in Lexington, Massachusetts.  We gathered in a fairly large auditorium, which quickly filled up.  The auditorium was divided into sections for Tenors, Altos, etc.  Librettos were provided although some people had there own.  The organizers hired soloists, an organist and a conductor and we spent the evening singing the entire Messiah.  It was fantastic and the music we produced surprising good, since , although I hadn't, many of the participants had sung the messiah in the past in high school, college, etc. and since I was surrounded by people familiar with the score, it was easy to follow.  We moved, or it would have been an annual event for us.