Well…so far we haven’t had to deal with that “white stuff” covering our lawns and roads. We had an original “fall” but it didn’t last very long, except in the shadows. But it has rained! Instead of a shovel I think I’m going to get a boat. 🙂 But I’m not complaining.
I have several traditions I observe during the Christmas season.
Thanksgiving Day I watch It’s a Wonderful Life (except for this year) and The Santa Clause. I don’t have a TV in my “ManCave” since it went on the fritz last Spring so I have to “beg/borrow/steal” the use of Jo’s TV in the living room. She let me watch The Santa Clause on Thanksgiving Day. I didn’t watch “Wonderful Life” because our local theater is showing it free of charge tonight (Sunday). Small screen vs. humongous screen. The latter wins!
I have other movies I watch during the season. Santa Clause 2. Polar Express. White Christmas.
Jo put the tree up. (Artificial with lights on it). Sorry all you purists. Allergies of some family members doomed a real tree and then the kids moved away. Although….
I set up a small village which includes a clock tower (BTTF); a church building (Duh!); a train station (I like to do 1000 piece train puzzles); a bike store (another Duh!) and several families enjoying time together (one in a gazebo and one singing). My girls bought them for me over the years (except for the bike store).
The staff decorated the inside of the auditorium for the first time. I’ll try to upload a picture.
Sadly, one of the traditions is contributing to my waist line (lots of chocolate) which makes me ride inside more.
Listening to my favorite Christmas album. And here is the first song off that CD.
Celebrating with the greatest people in the world.
What traditions do you have?
I have no Christmas traditions beyond spectating. I have no music, no movies, no lights, no trees etc. I don’t participate. I have nothing but amazement at the craziness of people surrounding this event.
I kinda understand celebrating the winter solstice and the change of seasons.
I have no idea why some people celebrate a Jewish guys birthday with a big ham. People are just too funny.
You’re welcome to celebrate New Year with us 😀 (Granted, we do celebrate Christmas – or, in our church, we celebrate two, due to differences in Julian / Georgian calendars), but the main celebration’s New Year. (And we also have an Old New Year – also due to differences in calendars).
I had to chuckle at obvious irony in celebrating Christmas with a ham…
I actually haven’t given it much thought.
I may have to switch to eating something a bit more kosher in the future.
Though, interestingly enough perhaps ham is appropriate as Jesus did come to fulfill the law… so we are not bound by it. We can enjoy ham or any other “unclean” animal we choose.
Regardless, thanks for the laugh.
The chuckle was my exact reaction also. I thought, “Only jeff…” LOL Funny thing: I don’t like ham anyway. But also have to agree with you on eating “unclean” meat (as Peter called it).
For three years in a row now, we’ll be celebrating with my in-laws and my mom, her husband, and my cousin.
We do a big basin of “Olivier” salad (similar to potato salad, but not quite), get some caviar open sandwiches, buy a bunch of tangerines (back in the USSR and my childhood, we had tangerines available only during New Year time, so for all of us here, that smell is like the smell of New Year itself… even when you can buy them during the year now.)
We’ve got a new tradition – to do the “Secret Santa” with the presents because the crowd grows. Did this last year and it was a blast!
So… yeah. Our celebration is a mix of your Thanksgiving (all the food), Christmas (all the presents), and New Year (all the “Happy New Year” stuff) 🙂
Sounds like an interesting meal. I am wondering what Olivier salad tastes like. I like your “one stop celebration” idea. 🙂
It’s great, but might sound rather odd to an American.
It’s bologne, pickles, eggs, potatoes, carrots (boiled), mayo. Some add canned peas and onions to it, but I prefer it without those.
Love your *traditions*!! A couple of years ago, my husband and I broke down and bought an artificial tree. I suppose getting evacuated the previous summer for a wildfire that came-this-close to our home was the ultimate decision-maker!!
One crazy tradition that we have is eating fast food on Christmas Eve! One year, most of us had been sick for about a week when Christmas rolled around. So, no one felt like cooking anything. The fast food tradition took hold!
And, along with our great love for BTTF, we also enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles!!
GOD BLESS!
I’m not sure I would want a fast food tradition, unless that included pizza. Not much is open around here on CE though. I do know my wife would love it!! Sounds like you two and I would get along. Jo is not much for BTTF or puzzles.
We’ve been going strong since November 1 with music. On Christmas Eve,’we will drive over to Pigeon Forge, look at the lights, get a doughnut and enjoy everything.
November 1? WOW! I can bet that Pigeon Forge is cool to look at.
Wow! Tommy James and the Shondells? Now that took me back, for sure!
I know it sounds hokey, but I love watching Rudolph and A Charlie Brown Christmas during the holidays. And we always have an Advent wreath on our table. I have a blog about that coming out tomorrow. 🙂
Is the Christmas tree up yet? No, but I hope to get it together (yes, it’s artificial, too.) this week.
Blessings, Bill!