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| Our little "Tree of Life" represents our relationship. Can it withstand the weight of our first Christmas? |
Traditions are like heirlooms handed down by families
through generations: trimming the tree, sending Christmas cards, favorite
holiday treats, singing Christmas carols, hanging lights, going to Christmas
Services, and the big family dinner.
Are family traditions worth the time and effort? Actually, the
busier we get, the more important it is to hold onto them. Traditions help us
stay connected to lost loved ones, ethnic heritage, religion, family, and friends.
One vanishing tradition is sending Christmas cards. I
remember looking up in wonder at Mom's many Christmas cards hanging from a red
ribbon. This year I got five cards. Five!
For years I sent newsletters sharing our family story to keep distant friends
and relatives in the loop. But now I can’t seem to find the time. Instead I
post Christmas greetings on Facebook and find personalized memes for friends.
(I sent a Finnish Christmas stamp meme to my cousin and a Christmas gnome to my
sister.) The great thing about sending cards is that it keeps us connected to
distant family and friends.
This year we combined new technology with old. We
took a photo with our cell and created the card on the computer.
Another tradition is holiday baking. Sure, it’s easier to
buy cookie-cutter perfect cookies from the bakery, but what are we
missing? When I mix up a batch of
oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough, it brings back warm memories of making
cookies with our mom, with all of us kids waiting around to lick the bowl. What
better way to spend precious time with your family. This year we added a cookie decorating party
to our traditions and shared a delightful afternoon with friends.
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| The "Cookie Queen" reigns over her subject. |
Dan and I are spending our first Christmas together.
After our Thanksgiving fiasco caused by warring traditions (when the words,
“Scott doesn’t do that,” were uttered); Dan and I discussed how we can better
handle the holidays. We have decided to meld our traditions and make some of
our own. We’ll open our presents on Christmas Eve (my tradition) and eat tamales
(Dan’s tradition). Today we were googling new Finnish recipes (reflecting my
ethnic heritage.) We got a good laugh at the Finnish comfort food (don’t ask me
how to pronounce it) nakkikastike – hot dog sauce! Lol! (I also posted the picture on my mom’s Facebook page – along with a squeaky cheese recipe
(leipajuusto) that mom mentions in, “Model-T Biscuits.”) For the first time, we
will be making Finnish cardamom coffee cake and coffee for breakfast Christmas
morning.
To deal with the addition of two cats in the house (Dan's), we
decided to forgo a traditional Christmas tree (Jana's). I realized that the part I would
miss the most were our sentimental ornaments and lights reflected in shiny red
and gold bulbs. So we decorated a pole
over the sliding glass door (Dan called it our festivus pole) and hung the
boys' baby ornaments on our tree lamp.
One reason we hold onto Christmas traditions is to recreate
the magical memories we experienced as children. A favorite memory was going
Christmas caroling with our church youth group. I loved belting out Christmas songs until my
throat was raw. My ex and I recreated that magic by hosting popular Christmas
Sing-a-long parties. But trappings of those parties - the song books, candles
(lit during Silent Night) and jingle bells have been packed away in the shed
ever since my eldest son became an atheist.
Another cherished tradition was to make Nana’s
chicken soup with homemade noodles. Carrying
on that tradition, I can feel her presence as the noodle dough sticks to my
fingers. This year I saved time by using roasted chicken and broth in the chicken soup. And I still got to make the homemade noodles (the part that made her soup special.) I imagine Nana is looking down and shaking her head in distaste.
One way to make traditions last is to simplify them. Mom
calls me every year to ask for my easy fudge recipe. We set out several fun
ingredients (marshmallows, Reese’s Pieces, coconut, nuts, raisins, etc.) and
the boys come up with their own creations.
It is so easy and fun that it's become a Christmas tradition. Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it...
3 cups chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Put all the ingredients in a
microwave-safe bowl, microwave for two minutes (stirring after one minute and
at the end), and spread onto a greased cookie sheet (or into a giftable mug) and
refrigerate. Easy!
Why is it as we get older we care more about Christmas
traditions? We long for that connection with our past and the joys of our youth.
Have a Merry Christmas full of heirloom traditions!
Jana
