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Christmas Traditions
I love traditions. Growing up we had them for every holiday. For Christmas Eve we were allowed to open one package, and it was always new pajamas (that we then wore for sleeping and Christmas morning, of course). We also always got one ornament from my mom, and then when we turned 18, our ornament box was turned over to us so we could have stuff for our own trees in our own homes.
I’ve tried to continue some of those traditions with my own daughter, though her father had some say in things, so it wasn’t always possible. That said, she always got to open one gift on Christmas Eve and she always got one ornament (still does, actually, even though she’s 24 years-old).
And it’s always ham for Christmas. Period. Never turkey or prime rib or any other type of meat. Ham. I put my foot down on that choice. For me it’s not Christmas without a ham. And potatoes. My dad used to make his famous (to me, at least) Portuguese stuffing, but my mom and I were the only ones who liked it and, though I tried making it my first Christmas after I was married, it just wasn’t a hit. I haven’t made it in years…it’s probably the chicken gizzards (yes, really) that folks had an issue with, lol.
Some of the traditions have fallen by the wayside these days. But we still open a gift on Christmas Eve. And we still have ham. Even when it’s just my adult daughter and I celebrating. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
What are some of your holiday traditions?
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We always try to make a trip to the ocean (an hour) on Christmas Eve. Even have to picnic in the car, but still fun.
My family generally went by what was on sale around Christmas. Some years it was ham, but others it might be chicken or turkey.
I like the idea of eating the same meat every time, though.
I don’t really think we have holiday traditions in my family. Holidays have always been stressful and dreaded, honestly, haha. We stopped celebrating the ‘big’ holidays, and it’ been much more peaceful at our house ever since.
One thing I do tend to do this month, though, is reflect on all the good that has happened in the last twelve months. I find that often I forget just how many blessings and changes have happened in the span of a year, and it’s therapeutic and humbling to look back and remember the good and the surprises that happened that year before shifting focus to my hopes and plans for the new year.
Love ham. We normally have turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas… rarely have it any other time of the year. Ham is for Easter.
We always open a present on Christmas Eve as well. I found it helped with the excitement so the kids actually slept.
Your dad’s stuffing reminds me of my FIL and his oyster dressing. NO ONE liked it, not even my MIL who usually loves that kind of thing. But every year, without fail, he has to make a big casserole dish of the stuff.
We go to a relative’s for the day on Christmas Eve and see family members that we haven’t seen in a while.
We decorate together… turkey is our tradition, lobster and shrimp for those that like them.