Putting Lillian in a special Christmas dress, decorated with little white dogs, could have easily become a Christmas "tradition" for me...but -- if you remember last year -- you know that didn't work out as well as I hoped...
I'm just sayin' you have to be flexible....and decide what traditions are working for your family...and what traditions are nothing BUT WORK for you....and may not be appreciated anyway...For many years -- the Christmas EVE soup supper was a big part of our tradition -- chili and oyster stew. My sister Ronda hosted that evening for many years -- we enjoyed playing the gift game...it was lovely. But, our children grew up, got married and started having children of their own -- the young families have to include their "in-laws".....
This year I'm going to RETHINK some Christmas traditions. Instead of being sad that we don't do what we used to do...and trying too hard to hang on to the way things 'USED TO BE"....
I'm gonna SHAKE IT UP...
First of all -- I'm not going to make a big sit-down dinner. My friend Val does what she calls "the nosh" -- and I think that's a great idea. I'll make the ham I love in advance -- some good crusty rolls for anytime sandwiches....that crescent roll veggie pizza thing is good cold...they love the Green Salad (pistachio pudding and cream cheese!)...
If we're not married to a big meal on Christmas Day -- we'll be free to visit some of the little people in the neighborhood...Last year -- Ross was trying to teach Mason his circus trick (oh yeah, Mom Kelcy was thrilled!)...
It was fun for Ross, who doesn't get home much, to see his cousins' kids -- and see what Santa brought them for Christmas..
To check in and see the NEW BABIES...this year, Mason has a little sister -- the always happy, smiling MYLA...
I don't know how it happened -- but in this picture -- not one person is looking at the camera...
Nicole looks almost shell-shocked. And maybe that's the affect Christmas has on lots of people...it's sooo much work....
So I'm trying to keep the JOY in it...by deciding IN ADVANCE which traditions are worth keeping and which ones should be let go...
Bye bye big sit-down Christmas dinner...hello Christmas pajamas??
And guess what? The "nosh" (a Yiddish word for a Jewish tradition now co-opted by us...lol) doesn't even have to be homemade! As Rachael Ray says, "take help from the store" or as in my case, the Hy-Vee deli and bakery! BTW..NO ONE makes pistacchio bars/salad better than the great and wonderful Ms, Farro! Merry Christmas Bestie! Val
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Rita. Be flexible!! My family divides up on Christmas Day, so we do a Christmas Eve party. I cook ahead so we can 'nosh' casually. Santa drops off gifts while we eat oven fried chicken including lots of drumsticks, whatever salads and desserts come with the grandkids. We aim for filling! And I have to make a pecan pie for my daughter. Seriously, I HAVE to make pecan pie or else!!
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