The Value of Traditions...
I am a traditional person, what? define traditional?- -pertaining to or characteristic of older styles."You traditional, I can hear you shouting, nothing traditional about you?"
Well let me explain I love Traditions. Take for instance Christmas baking. Every year it is customary for me to purchase pounds of unsalted butter,
( it was on sale locally ( Foodland, my fav grocer) last week for 2.79 a pound that is much better than
the regular cost of 5.29, purchased 20 pounds...( freezing some)
fresh corn starch, fresh flour, lot's of fresh lemons and I bake our traditional shortbread tarts filled with lemon curd. My family and friends depend on me to continue this burst of sunshine in their mouth as they tell me...Tradition. I bet many of you also carry out traditions too. This one year I made a new shortbread with cranberries and chocolate..My family loved them, my friends did not complain, but cries of "where is your shortbread tarts with lemon curd, where are those? Albeit, never did that again, it has become known in this household we have traditions for a reason...they can count on them....they can count on me.
Sew this week, I baked my Shortbread lemon tarts, along with all of my traditional baking, and I am done, complete, all in the freezer, all in specialty tins, all ready to be shipped on Monday. I am ahead of schedule by one day, so another thing that is a tradition for me anyway, is gathering my collection of books by Donna VanLiere every year she comes up with another and now with quick downloads to my ipad, I am in heaven. I am going to cuddle with my coffee, some shortbread and my IPAD and read these books, today it will be Christmas shoes and the Christmas NOTE...her new one this year... I still have them all in book form, can you imagine me just saying that...BOOKS in their original form...lol
Ohhhh note my wee snowman I designed him I was a doll maker...that seems sew long ago.
He is a tradition too...he will be sitting by me, near the fireplace ( not too close, in case he melts more
than my heart) and I will bask in the warmth of Donna's stories...ahhhh toodles...
Do you have a traditional moment or two that has become
your seasonal favorite?
33 Your COMMENTS here, uplift me.:
I do sew miss traditional Christmas'! My Mother was a Christmas book collector and there was always a new one each year! We always went to get a real tree. And my sister and mother always made the almond press cookies!
I am a pretty good cook and baker, but something about those darn cookies I cannot do, I am married to (a wonderful man however) Mr.Scrooge who does not like Christmas and some years we do not even put up our FAKE tree. Let it be said I miss my Mother so when Christmas rolls around!
I do however make it a point to watch It's a Wonderful Life every year as I am wrapping the last of my gifts!
We have established some wonderful traditions in our house over the years. Decorating the house and listening to Christmas music officially starts on December 1...today...can't wait! The kids always get new jammies on Christmas Eve, and lately, even Mom is included...Dad says he doesn't need yet another pair of pajama pants! Christmas morning is stockings right off the bat, followed by homemade cinnamon rolls and then opening gifts, one at a time. We delay the process as long as we can! Then calls to family members and start cooking the turkey!
Many more traditions, but these are some of our favorites. Love your little snowman, enjoy your cuppa, and have a great read!
Mmmm... The lemon tarts sound wonderful! Fudge, numerous flavors, have been the tradition here since I was too young to remember. I still can't make it as good and smooth as my mother!
My mother's side of the family was Norwegian so lefse was a must for Christmas. I remember it coming fresh off my mother's griddle and loving that smell. We'd spread a little butter on it, sprinkle some brown sugar all over that melted butter, roll it up and....oh yum, such sweet memories! I love traditions, but I'm not so good at making that lefse. Enjoy your day of reading, Madame Samm, and thanks for making me remember this tradition.
You finished all your baking, yaaay!! When I was growing up my mom never made cookies, but she would bake cakes and more cakes for Christmas - each child got his favorite cake (I always asked for coconut).
I used to have a tradition of making cookies and candies from the Pillsbury Holiday Classics cookbook, they made great gifts.
Since moving away from my hometown - 650+ miles - there aren't many traditions for me any more. The one tradition that I miss the most is being expected at Granddaddys for Christmas Day lunch. My youngest was sick one Christmas morning and we couldn't go. You would have thought I had committed a sin. I missed going that one and only year... I always loved being with my granddaddy on Christmas Day! I miss that man more than words will ever describe!
I am just glad to be able to go home every other year for Christmas Day to be with my children. The odd years we are with hubbys family. His mom always has chicken hash for breakfast and that is one of my favorite new traditions.
I love some of our family traditions. I also love starting new ones or improving on the old ones. As our family grows and the littlest ones show such joy and excitement, their experiences are the new traditions of today. Traditions + transitions = Christmas Joy.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN
I just read the "quote for this day". A friend is also one who will stand by you whether they agree or not! I have written a blog post on trust. It's hard to admit when we have blind trust that should have not been so blind. Another case of why I am skeptical and will be more so now. Thanks for being a lady about it.
Beckie
This year, traditions will be taking a back seat and waiting patiently to be brought out again, but I relish the thought of you enjoying yours, so thank you for sharing!! Enjoy, enjoy!
Thank you for sharing your Christmas traditions! Although my husband and I have been married for 8 years we are just starting to form traditions or at least ask ourselves the question of what we want to do for the future..Next year will be out baby girl's first Christmas, I wonder how she will describe her growing up traditions to her children...So about that lemon shortbread tart recipe..(wiggles eyebrows)
You have my address correct...yes? LOL!! JUST kidding (mostly) We have had quite a change in our traditions the last couple of years. We had a kiddo start college (in another state)so some of the things we did can't be done till she gets home (12 days, 1 hour, but who's counting?) At any rate, there is decorating the tree. Making non baked goodies together. getting booted out of the kitchen (me) so she can bake ( I do NOT bake. ANYthing. We are all happier that way. LOL) My personal traditions involve making an ornament fro each kid every year...and the stuff that goes in the stockings...so much fun!
Traditions, Oh yes, our family has many! Here are a few, over the long Thanksgiving weekend, we make a Gingerbread House. We have been doing this for 25+ years. We also mold chocolate. Put up the Christmas village, which is getting bigger and bigger by the year. The Nativity set, the fresh tree.
Also, each child is allowed to choose their favorite cookie that I will bake. Yes, Fudge, I hate to brag BUT I make the best fudge in the world!!
Books, I bring out the Christmas Books only once a year. So much fun!
I could go on but these are some of our favorites.
I love yours and I think I need to check out the books you so enjoy!
Happy Traditions to you!!
As my children grew up and moved away Christmas traditions began to fade. I still manage to get the tree up right after Thanksgiving, though I confess it was difficult this year. But one tradition that I don't stray from involves gifts for my grandchildren - each one gets three, just as Jesus did. Their gold gift, the gift of riches, is something they wish for, not a need. Their frankincense gift (it was used at sacrifices) involves a "sacrifice" from me of time - a homemade gift, made from my heart. And their myrrh (a perfume used at death) is something useful. Pajamas are the traditional myrrh gift. This year the little ones will be getting travel pillowcases with pillows. The pillowcases will have handles for carrying and a pocket for their favorite book or their IPod. And their wish? The girls have asked for purses, which will be the ruffled bags similar to my Ghastlie bag, and the boy a knife (he collects them). I find that Christmas is a time for reflection...thinking on the gift we all received so many years ago. And that time of reflection is my gift to myself. blessings, marlene
I certainly would be dropping by if I were in the neighborhood. Lemon tarts are one of my favorites. Thanks for reminding me about the Donna VanLiere book as I also admire her books and have her Christmas collection - I would not think of not getting it. Have a peaceful afternoon. Judy C
Forgot to say - silly me - our tradition over the last few years is to do all of our Christmas cards the week between Christmas and New Year's when we have time to write personal notes to friends and family. We are not rushed and it continues the Christmas spirit for us. Now it I could just find the cards that say "Hope your Christmas was Wonderful" and Wishing you a Happy New Year. Maybe I will make them. Judy C
I make Nainamo Bars (as in British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Canada) every year. I found the recipe in a Good Housekeeping recipe in the 1970's and I have been making them by request every year. I knew they were a Canada thing when I saw them for sale on a ferry going from Vancouver to Victoria. Found out there is an actual place called Nainamo.....who knew????
We too have traditions, but it seems that I am the only one stuck doing most of the work for them. LOL From the 12 different kinds of cookies (mostly double and triple batches), to the wrapped gifts, and decorated house, I wish I could be a kid again when it all seemed so exciting and magical and didn't require a stitch of work out of me.
I have always loved Christmas and we had many traditions but since I have not been well enough a lot of traditions have fallen to the wayside and this makes me feel very sad. I miss baking the most but nobody wants to eat it anymore so I just usually do shortbread now. I love SBTL new traditions with her grand children maybe I will try to do something like that with mine. I do try and make something for everyone. This year I am doing pillowcases to match their personalities or hobbies. I love hearing about what everyone is doing. Blessings Sandra
growing up - and still today - christmas has always been about family. my mom always went out of her way to make sure that everyone was there. which was pretty amazing being that she was/still is jewish and my father is the christian. so - while it may not happen on christmas day - we always find a way to get together during the season....even though we are thousands of miles apart.
in our home - we always make sure that santa gets gingerbread cookies made, baked and decorated by my 11 year old.
madame samm, i am glad that you got a day to really sit back and enjoy the season!
I love to read Christmas books at Christmas time. One of my families Christmas traditions is to watch "Christmas Vacation" on Thanksgiving night. It starts our holiday time with a lot of laughter!
Your shortbread lemon tarts sound like a tradition that I want to adopt. Recipe?
I love traditions and child experts say that family traditions are so important in making children feel safe and loved. MY grown children can tell you in great detail, HOW we did Christmas as they were growing up. Change was inevitable but we all adapted as new members came into the family and sadly we lost loved ones. My children are just now telling me about their antics and rituals on Christmas Eve after their Dad and I went to bed. Christmas Eve Dinner at my husband's parent's home has been the one non-negotiable and sadly I'm doubting if it will continue much longer. We will adapt and change once more for we have 5 small children counting on us to keep traditions alive.
Blessings and Merry Christmas
Gmama Jane
P.S. I LOVE what Marlene does with her Grandchildren and the 3 gifts. Trust Marlene to be so wise. If you don't already read her blog Stitchinbythelake, you're missing a real treat
My face is smiling and my heart is saying 'thank you for caring enough to share.'
Special memories of my beloved husband lighting Chanukah candles as I said the blessings -- he enjoyed it so much, as did I.
Now I light them alone but with tears of joyful memories of a man who loved me so much for too short a time. Ten years wasn't enough but we agreed an eternity would be too short.
I light the candles and enjoy also the Christmas holiday because of love felt during those times.
Our family (and me, personally) have developed lots of Christmas season traditions over the year, but as my children have families of their own, it's been a joy to watch those traditions grow and change to fit their own lives. My personal traditions include baking, certain holiday movies, and reading The Polar Express! I do love this most wonderful time of the year! :)
Yes, I do have traditionals!
Not for Christmas, but for Hanukah! Latkes - potato "pancakes" - mountain-high and all kinds of everything in them! Spinach, onions, carrots, cheese. Filled doughnuts - aka sufganioth - I leave to the baker, but the latkes I make myself. To be eaten with home made applesauce with cinnamon, ginger, and raisins galore. Still some two weeks to go. Most people don't need instruction how to eat them =^} And no, we don't mind lighting the candles in our Menora, to be "forced" not to work and enjoy the time of year, and most of all: to wish our neighbours a happy Christmas time!
Love from Amsterdam, Irene
Our most important Christmas tradition is that all of us, my siblings, the spouses and the kiddos all get together on that day to celebrate. Except of course for the year that we got a major huge snowstorm that day. 2 1/2 feet of the white stuff. It makes for a crazy day but we wouldn't have it any other way.
sooo, are we giving up the lemon shortbread tarts recipe? I can almost taste themmmm
I just love Christmas traditions. We have so many in our family that I could be typing out this comment for a week..lol One that we just finished last week was my that my mother and i get together every year for the past 8 years to make appetizers and cookies for Christmas. Buying pre-made would be a lot cheaper, but the tradition and time we spend together is priceless!
you freeze shortbread? Mmm, we have some scottish petticoat tails on the plate today :) Delicious!
Traditions, oh yes, each year we buy a new decoration for the tree, and each year my children still insist on hanging their home made stockings, despite being 18 and 14 years old! And it seems, a new tradition over the last few years is that my mother comes for Christmas Dinner, and she brings the home made pudding :)
Enjoy your cozy day, dear friend, you so deserve some "you" time! (I'm looking forward to getting that cookie pan, by the way! LOL) Will you share the wonderful lemony recipe on your blog, or is it a secret? :)
Ahh, Marlene's comment. What a treasure, all of our friends in the quilting community!
I don't eat jam or jelly..(isn't that song lyrics?)..but lemon curd on toast is my favorite thing. I love lemon curd.
If your lemon curd is a tradition your recipe must be tried and true...
Enjoy your time of warmth and giving!
December has many traditions in our family. This year will mark a change. We have been a family of five generations living in the same town. My Grandma died before she met her latest Great Great Granddaughter. But the circle of life continues. Traditions help that process, right? My Grandma's birthday is also the 17th...so for my Mom, this Christmas time is a milestone that needs TLC.
It all sounds delicious & wonderful. We go to the mountains & cut a tree every year. Did that today & it's even decorated!! What else? We have Christmas flannel pillowcases that we use all month, embroidered with your name...
I love a good read. I will have to remember her and check that out!
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