Christmas Traditions

The dictionary definition of tradition is:

 

tradition

[truh-dish-uh n] 

noun

1.

the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs,information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice

But, the question often posed is, “If a tradition is new, how can it be a tradition?” The answer is, well, I’m not really sure. But I do know that the traditions that certain groups of people keep reflect who they are as a group. And that once you create something that you want to be a tradition, like always putting the star on top of your tree, as long as you keep at whatever it is you want to do, it will eventually become a tradition.

My family has many Christmas traditions. Some of the things that my family does on Christmas (and Christmas Eve) have been traditions for as long I can remember. On Christmas Eve, or Eve’s birthday, we first go out for lunch at a nice restaurant, and then we hang out at home before caroling. After we carol, we go to church and watch the little kids perform the Christmas pageant. After we get home, we eat Eve’s favorite birthday cake of War Cake (see Ode to War Cake to learn more). I sleep on Rudolph’s bedroom floor on an air mattress so that Grandma can sleep in my bed. We watch The Polar Express, and then Rudolph and I go to bed so Saint Nick can bring gifts. We wake up in the morning, open gifts and stockings in a flurry of thank yous and wrapping paper. Afterwards we end up napping, reading one of the news books we got, or helping make dinner. We eat dinner, consisting of sauerbraten and Kartuffel Gloesse, pickled beef and potato balls. We end up just sitting around and watching some of our new movies. Christmas traditions are my favorite traditions.

Merry Christmas!

Love and Mistletoe, Holly