Christmas Time of Year - Bring on the Traditions

2011-11-26T11:21:23-05:00

Easter? Meh. Independence Day? Okay. Thanksgiving? Give or take. Christmas, now that's our holiday. Though not religious, December 25 takes on a happy, joyous time as we celebrate being together. It's not about presents, though that's fun. And it's not about excess, though we sometimes overdo. It's about the one time of year we are all together, trapped in a house, having a rollicking good time.

Some of our traditions have matured, altered because the kids have grown up and there are no little children in the family right now. But when the kids were little, I would stay up very late and wrap all of their Santa gifts in white tissue paper. Even the small presents in their stockings. The knew the good stuff was inside that paper. For a long time, until they were teens, they didn't get anything that was advertised on TV. That was my tradition for me, not caving in to the obscene commercialism that gets worse every year. (The kids never complained, by the way).

And, their stockings were hand made by me from felt squares with their names decorated on each one, just as my mom did for me and my brother. They aren't too big but they get filled with love every year. It was an easy way not to get crazy with too much stuff.

Other traditions included reading The Night Before Christmas to the kids before they went to bed, putting a tangerine in their stockings (great way to ease up on the junk!), and counting down to Christmas day by letting the kids remove one ring in the string of 10 felt rings each day until only one remained, representing Christmas.

Now, the kids are grown and though I wrap one or two presents in white for old time's sake, I certainly don't wrap the fun stuff in their stockings. I laugh when they want me to read The Night Before Christmas. They are in their 20's.

When the kids were little, after dinner, and when everyone was stuffed to the gills and moaning about how full they were, we would watch a family movie together. But several years ago, with a house full of adults who didn't want to watch the same thing, we took to playing a game after dinner. Now, instead of lounging passively in front of a screen, everyone sits around the table and has a great good time making merry. Our favorite game, by far, is Apples to Apples. The camaraderie, teasing, and laughter goes on for hours. It's a really special way to spend time with those you love and wrap up the year.

For the games and the white presents, for the stockings and the stories, for our family and our traditions, Christmas is a "can't miss" celebration.

Now, Voyager

2011-11-25T21:08:44-05:00

There is nothing more satisfying than ugly duckling to smart swan story and Bette Davis delivers the goods in this 40's classic.

1942

Lauren M - Plinky Answers

Christmas Time of Year - Bring on the Traditions

Now, Voyager