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Christmas Tradition Link Up

Thursday, December 5, 2013



I love Christmas. Growing up my family had very specific traditions as far as what we did every year. I give my parents huge props for that because my brother and I looked forward to each thing with very eager anticipation year after year. Now, as a parent I see how difficult it can be to commit to doing just that, keeping the traditions going and putting forth the effort. Over the last few years during the downfall of my marriage and process of divorce it was all I could do to get thru the holidays let alone actually uphold the traditions that I had created. But I am on the other side of that and I no longer feel the urge to boycott Christmas and tell the kids we are having Domino's and twinkies for the holiday meal cause Mommy hates that magic of the season. There were a lot of things I slacked on over the last few years but Amy is getting her Griswold groove back and this year is off to a great start. The tree is up (minus the skirt cause I need to get it out of deep storage up on a ladder) bedecked and bejeweled with our menagerie of mismatched ornaments, new LED Lights and a throwback to my youth... Tinsel. She is loud and proud this year and I love this old tree.


Growing up Christmas Eve was always my favorite night of the season and it still is. I just love the anticipation of the next day, the sense of togetherness you feel, the mood of the evening with all of the lights, candles burning, fire going, music playing. We used to celebrate it with my Dad's family because in the Polish culture it is the beginning of a 24 hour vodka/kielbasa fest (Wigilia is what they call it) celebration. I have vivid memories of my Dad and his 3 brothers drinking shots and beers, my Mom and Aunts sipping cocktails, my Grandmother holding court with her highball in hand,  loving being surrounded by her huge brood. There was always a feast of lovingly prepared food, piles of presents and scads of us cousins running around, dancing and having a ball. These parties would last till the wee hours and somehow everyone would stumble home and we would wake up the next day and beg my parents to drag ass get up so we could open presents, which they always did... looking back I am sure they were hungover as hell for many years running. Hey... it's not like they did it everyday!
Since all of my family is in Michigan and I live in GA I had to start my own Christmas Eve traditions. It's not quite the same but I love it. Every year we get out the china, the Waterford crystal, the sterling flatware and set the table for the feast. I make a Standing Rib Roast (aka prime rib) with a horseradish cream sauce, twice baked potatoes and a blue cheese wedge salad. Dessert varies from year to year but my favorite is a Chocolate Ricotta Torte that my Dad used to make. We also keep a Polish tradition that is near and dear to my heart. We break a wafer called Oplatki which is identical to Catholic communion wafer and we wish each other love, peace and prosperity for the coming year... and we kiss and hug.



And here is a little peek into last years festivities...


Looking forward to another special Christmas Eve this year.

Cheers Everyone!

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3 comments :

  1. So happy for you that you're getting back into the holiday spirit! I love your tree lights!

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  2. What an uplifting post . . . you are getting back into the swing of things and that's a blessing! Glad to see you beautiful tree and hear about your family traditions!

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  3. I started drooling at twice bakes potato... :)

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