Every family has holiday traditions in place. Most of our traditions come straight from our parents (and still occur within their four walls). Some of them are unique to our household and are recently added. Most of them are welcome. Some of them not so much. But, as a whole they make Christmas feel like Christmas to me and the three men in my life. I thought I’d share them with you today, if only to prove to you that every family is special and nutty in its own way.
Christmas would not be Christmas without…
– pierogies, Polish sausage and the annual horseradish challenge where we see who can handle the most of that stuff without being reduced to tears.
– someone (most recently Joe) reading from the Bible, Luke 2:1-20.
– Steve and I telling the kids that there can be no gift opening on Christmas morning until after the lattes are made.
– the conundrum of trying to find a decent outfit to wear to the in-laws’ house that fits after an entire month of cookies, fudge, and libations. This closet event makes all the buying, baking, wrapping, and cleaning pale by comparison on the stress meter.
– the Candy Cane Cocktail with my family…Godiva white chocolate liquer, peppermint schnapps, and vanilla rum topped off with a candy cane.
– a friendly go-round on some type of board game that turns into a contentious argument over cheating, being too competitive, or exhibiting poor sportsmanship. My sister’s comment yesterday: “It’s all fun and games until we play the games.”
– the annual Tisser (sister) Christmas photo.
– the Caipiroska with Steve’s family (vodka, limes, sugar, and ice).
– Luke knowing exactly what he’s getting and being unbelievably, graciously thrilled by it all the same.
– hearing the same stories we hear year after year from our parents and smiling to each other about them again.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a joyous Festivus, or simply a pleasant day off from work!
Live Now and Zen 