Traditions & Holidays!

I know, the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over, we're all getting settled back into our usual routines, missing the extra time off work and dragging our feet going back to work. Now's the perfect time to reflect on the holidays, traditions, and memories.

I feel like the holidays are always changing in some way for Gene and me. Just when I feel we have a good rhythm to visiting each of our families, we get a curveball. This year was no different. Gene didn't realize the holiday landed mid-week, used up all his vacation days before the holidays, and so he had to work a full day.

Meaning - we wouldn't make it to see my family on Christmas Eve. While I was bummed we missed it, we will (and did) get to see almost everyone. Since we didn't see my family, Christmas Eve dinner was done at home with a small group of friends. Two new friends from Turkey, who don't have Christmas like we do, had lots of questions, and we had answers! I truly loved sharing what my family does as part of our holiday traditions. While none of it may seem over the top, it's what makes our holiday what we all love.

Christmas Eve - no meats! It's a meal of fish, veggies, and carbs! We scaled back some things - like no clam chowder or crab cakes. But we had fish, pierogies, and steamed veggies. While we didn't read the Bible verse, say grace, or read a Christmas story, it was still our Christmas Eve minus some parts that one or the other of us doesn't love.

Christmas Day - we made the trek to Philly to see his family. We had agreed - no meal, no gift exchange - just spend time with the family. A big change from what usually happens - a full meal and gifts. But this year our budget was tight, and so was our time. I was house-sitting and needed to be back to take care of the pets. A quality visit of time - perfect! Everyone enjoyed themselves, and we got some nice family photos!

Christmas Day is a slightly different meal for us. Yes - another big meal. Usually, it's a ham and all the sides kind of meal. But this time, with different people, we merged lots of different family dishes. A full hodgepodge of things - ham, ziti, baked mac & cheese, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Plus homemade cookies for dessert.

We exchanged gifts, laughed, watched TV, and shared the traditions of our families. Our friends from Turkey absolutely loved hearing all of it and participating in our stocking and gift exchange. While none of our traditions seem all that great or big, it's still a tradition. No matter if we do it each year or some years I still consider them traditions and we just tweak it to work with what is happening presently in our lives.

In my family, we always opened our stockings first (gave Mom and Dad time to drink their coffee and fully wake up!), then we'd move on to the presents. After everything was opened, we would spend the day playing with the new toys, reading our new books, watching movies, and just enjoying the company of our family. Sometimes we'd have brunch, then our big dinner; sometimes just snack and then have our big dinner. While it's the most simple tradition, it's one I love and easy enough to do!

This year, we had a Christmas Day bonfire. Maybe not the warmest day, but a beautiful day nonetheless. That is something that, if we are home, I may try to make a new tradition going forward! End the year by getting some fresh air!

Till our tails cross again,

Mel