Does your family have a Christmas tradition?
Sure, my family enjoys a nice dinner, attends church services and opens presents. Outside of those activities, however, we don’t have a true Christmas tradition, something unique we do every year or that was passed down through generations.
I wish we did. Our granddaughter, Lexi, just turned 11, and her little brother, Remy, will be 4 next month. They’re growing up too quickly.
I thought of this Sunday while reading the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In a special feature, readers shared some of their Christmas Eve family rituals. For example, Virginia Holahan of Oconomowoc says that, for the past 26 years or so, her family has gone bowling at noon every Christmas Eve. Now that her seven children are married, the activity involves up to 18 grandchildren.
Susan Blink Patrick of Mequon says that, before going to bed, her family puts their wooden shoes out next to the fireplace. It’s the Dutch equivalent of hanging stockings. Then, each family member gets a “shoe gift,” which she says are “small in size but big in heart.” Often, these are the most special gifts.
Green Bay Packer Donald Driver, who may have played his last game at Lambeau on Sunday, says his wife buys matching pajamas for their family, which now includes three children. They wear these around the house, have a cookie-decorating contest, then enjoy hot apple cider around the fireplace while Donald tells Christmas stories, acting out the characters to the delight of his children.
Does your family have an unusual or unique Christmas Eve or Christmas Day tradition?
How long has it been a part of your holiday celebrations?
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Dec 27, 2012 at 2:47 p.m.
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You should do that in October.
Dec 27, 2012 at 10:13 a.m.
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In addition to wishing everybody in our family "Merry Christmas!", we also look upward and proclaim "Happy Birthday Jesus!" to again remind ourselves of what the day really is.
Dec 27, 2012 at 9:02 a.m.
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yes - we never do anything twice
Dec 27, 2012 at 7:04 a.m.
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wahoo.. and mteg, LOL.
Dec 26, 2012 at 11:03 p.m.
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Family gets together. Four generations. Perhaps attend Christmas Eve church service. Traditional family snacks of lefse, krumkake, goat cheese, fruit platter, and more. Lots of visiting and renewing our history via stories and photos. Counting our blessings.
Dec 26, 2012 at 1:44 p.m.
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Airing of grievences followed by feats of strength
Dec 25, 2012 at 6:32 p.m.
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Pretty much get drunk and wait for the police.
Dec 25, 2012 at 5:31 p.m.
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For many of the last 25 years we have been able to ice skate on Storr's Lake, and if the ice is not ready, we hike on the trails. This morning we found the lake frozen over, smooth and clear as glass, and upon examining the depth of ice in the fishermen's holes we found it sufficient to skate. We stayed in the places where the water is shallow and the ice is thick, and we saw bass, pike and turtles under the ice. It was amazing.
Dec 25, 2012 at 12:14 p.m.
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My four Brothers and their families get together for Christmas. We all go to see our Mother in the retirement home, where we sing Christmas songs for her. We all realize just how lucky we are to see her loving gaze and get the best gift of all...a hug and kiss from our Mother. Merry Christmas to you Greg, Thanks for all the good stories you share during the year! God Bless
Dec 24, 2012 at 6:53 p.m.
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I second that mgcarguy. Greg's blog posts are what keep me coming back. Thanks Greg, and merry Christmas!!!
Dec 24, 2012 at 5:56 p.m.
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We always watch The Christmas Story at least once. We always have our kids and grand kids over for dinner on Christmas Day except this year we are breaking tradition and our daughter is having the dinner. Tonight we will watch three Ma and Pa Kettle movies on DVD. Thanks Greg for your good blogs this past year.
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