Christmas cookies cut in the various shapes of the season: Fabricating Christmas cookies was one of my favorite holiday traditions for my kids while they were growing up. We made the dough from scratch, cut out the shapes, baked, iced, and decorated them. Sometimes there was conflict, especially between the older children, who could better handle the metal shapes, and the younger ones who frosted all wrong or sprinkled too much. Nevertheless, the cookies were yummy. Yesterday, my daughter and grandchildren brought over some for me that they made, and I asked where she got the recipe (not mine) and she said Betty Crocker! Was it fun decorating them? Oh yes, of course, they loved it!
Christmas cards and photos of children: When I was a young working mother, I endeavored to write a personal note on each Christmas card. I also slipped in a picture of my children. Over the years, my cards progressed to longer a Christmas letter, about all of us, our children, and our happenings throughout the year. My letters have, over the years, turned into a chronology of our activities and created a family history. I even wrote a letter the year I was clinically depressed (very depressing - why would I want to share that?). Mostly the letters allowed me to brag on my children and keep in touch with long lost friends from college, medical school, and residency.
My daughter has adopted this tradition and sends out a photo of her children with her Christmas greeting. I delighted in seeing her address sixty envelopes in her effort to keep in touch with her friends, all of whom are growing their own families. What a wonderful tradition! She strings up on broad green ribbons the ones she receives so everyone can adore the beautiful children smiling on the festive cards.
Special meals on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: Your specific dishes will vary by region but may include roast turkey, ham, and other festive foods – cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. On Christmas Eve in Texas, my husband, son, and son-in-law make tamales by hand, from scratch. Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made with a corn-based (masa) dough mixture that is filled with various meats or beans and cheese, rolled into corn husks, and steamed. There are also lots of pinto beans, prepared refried or borracho. And of course, gobs of guacamole and chips must be there. It’s a Texas thing!
Traditional Christmastime beverages: Whatever the holiday gathering you attend or create, the drinks are important, especially if some guests do not drink alcohol. The younger set loves wassail, a traditional warm cider drink that balances the flavors of orange and apple with cinnamon and spices. And older children enjoy helping to simmer the ingredients on the stove. To drink wassail is to carouse; it actually means revelry or singing carols from home to home. My favorite holiday treat may be eggnog since it lends itself to spiking with bourbon or brandy. Eggnog is a punch made with milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and whipped egg whites. It is gorgeous when tinted green in a punch bowl with whipped cream floating on top. When alcoholic beverages are added to chilled eggnog, it is rich and yummy.
Special candlelight church services on Christmas Eve: These services often include the singing of hymns, the reading of passages from the Bible (cue: Linus reciting Luke 2: 8-20 in A Charlie Brown Christmas), and the lighting of candles to symbolize the light of Christ. The candlelight service is universal in its message, singing hymns, and lighting candles to the song of Silent Night. Our church encourages children to dress up as angels, shepherds, lambs, camels, wise men, etc. They are called down to the front of the church where they take their rightful place as on Christmas night. This is the best way to teach the younger children the Nativity. Last year, a new mom with her baby boy volunteered to fill in for Mary and baby Jesus! So wonderful.
Christmas music that varies in genre: I love to hear it playing at home in the evenings, and especially when we decorate the tree. Katherine asked for All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. I like Mannheim Steamroller turned up loud so we can dance, or Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker suite so we can twirl and pretend to be ballerinas. Raffi has stood the test of time and still delights little ones with his delightful Christmas tunes. I like harp and guitar music, my husband likes acoustic guitar, and Nirada plays beautiful Christmas tunes. James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt are my favorite holiday crooners.
Every year, I took my girls to see the Nutcracker Ballet when they were old enough to appreciate it, and, as a result, they both still love the orchestral music. I enjoyed helping them to dress up in holiday finery and find our seats in the huge auditorium. During intermission we always purchased a Nutcracker or a Rat King. Last year, Anne lamented that she did not have a good (enough) nutcracker for her mantel. I can fix that!
Holiday decorations: Katherine told me, “Mommy likes to decorate for Christmas the best of all the holidays.” I often wonder if she got this from me, since I surely inherited this from my mother. Mother gifted me with so many knitted and needle pointed Christmas pillows, JOY banners, and beautiful keepsake ornaments. The embroidered white stars, the angels crafted at church bazaars, the music ornaments especially chosen for each child – jumping dolphins for Anne, our swimmer, a melodic piano for David our musician, and a spirited Santa for little Laura. In her later years she mailed bright red amaryllis flowers for our home (They thrive outside in Texas!) I recently discovered that one of my Advent calendars had been confiscated from my house and taken to my daughter’s home. Traditions that last for generations.
These holiday traditions are all innumerable expressions of love: Food, cookies, drinks, music, ballets, church services, hymns, singing, decorations, and greeting cards. Each of these demonstrates some component of how we express our love to others (The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman) - words of affirmation, acts of service, giving and receiving gifts, enjoying quality time and physical touch.
Take some time to think about your holiday traditions and how they demonstrate what you value and what you love. Most of all, they express how YOU choose to show your love. Your children will remember that – forever.
Write that Christmas letter, just a short one pager. Your friends and family will love it. 🥰
I love your tradition! We just send a photo-card of our family (thanks Shutterfly! Lol), but I genuinely appreciate when friends/family send a letter to sum up the highlights of their year. It’s so fun to read!