Holiday Traditions

Hello!

One friend asked about our holiday traditions, and I thought I'd post a blog about it.

CHRISTMAS CARDS. Each year we send out a Christmas card to friends and family out-of-state. Since we are the only ones living in Massachusetts, that would include ALL of our family, and since we have moved 8 times in our 18 married years together, we send a lot of cards to friends in different states. I think our total was 125 or 130 cards this year. At any rate, we usually send a card, a family photo, and a Christmas letter. We try to be at least a little creative, and some years I have made the cards with the kids.

ADVENT CALENDAR. We put up an Advent Calendar each December 1st, and the kids rotate turns on choosing an ornament out of the numbered pockets. This tree-with-elves design was the one I grew up with. My sister Kathi made one for Kim and I (sorry Kris--I think you were still young and disinterested that year), one year for Christmas. So now I still use the same advent calendar that I used as a child when my sisters and I would take turns.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE. Each year we see one of these yummy-looking houses on sale at the grocery store or craft store, and we pick one up. This year Kara and Teresa decorated the gingerbread house. The icing was a little runny but the roof stayed in place, and the windows weren't too bad.

ZUCCHINI BREAD. We also make little mini-loaves of zucchini bread, to take to the neighbors and give out to teachers at school. This year, Teresa and Kara had their own lists of people they wanted to give to. I bought the ingredients for their bread, but they made the bread! They were willing to work for the gifts they would give. It was very nice for me!

STORY-A-DAY-UNTIL-CHRISTMAS. We read an inspirational Christmas story each night of December. Some of them are religious, some of them are just nice stories. They make you thankful and make you want to be a better person. We also read a scripture a night along with the story.

NATIVITY SCENES. We collect nativities, often looking for "different" ones from different countries. We don't put them all out every year. Here are some we put out this year.

CHRISTMAS TREE. Frank grew up with a real tree. I grew up with an artificial tree. In Michigan, we had room for 2 trees, so we had both. Most often, we only have space for one, and it ends up being the artificial one. I like them: they are symmetrical and clean, and you don't cut down a tree every year to use 2 weeks and then throw away. Many have arguments for a real tree: the wonderful smell, nothing like going out and picking/cutting down your own tree as a family. To each his own on this matter! We normally decorate our tree with ornaments with some meaning or memory; here is one we got the year Frank and I were married.

Here is what David looked like at 4 yrs old, in the year 2000.

(One tradition I am trying to change is staying up too late on Christmas Eve. I get tired and grumpy.)

Merry Christmas! Kari

'Tis the Season

Well! Hard to believe it's the 20th of December. To say this month has flown by, is quite an understatement.

Here are some highlights of the month thus far (you can double-click on photos to enlarge them):

KARI VISITS GRANDMA. My Grandma turned 100 years old this month! Yes! So much has happened in the last 100 years. And that's just in this country. I went to Arizona for a few days, to catch up a little and wish Grandma a Happy Birthday.

HOLIDAY CONCERTS. We've gone to Kara's chorus concert, and her band concert in the last week or so. She's been playing the saxophone for this school year, and is doing a really good job. There is also a "5th grade chorus" that meets weekly before school to practice. They did great with their holiday songs.

Teresa also had a chorus concert, at the middle school. As an 8th grader, she is in the "7th and 8th grade chorus", and also "Select Chorus," for which she auditioned.

WINTER GALA. Parexel had its holiday party, which is certainly not a "given" every year (last year they didn't have one), but this year they did. Lots of good food, and it gives me a chance to rub shoulders with some of Frank's coworkers. Dinner and dancing, and this one had a casino theme so we all got some "chips" to play with. We mostly stayed at the Roulette table, and Blackjack 21 (?? is that the name of it? You get two cards, and try to get as close to 21 as you can. Ask for one more card, or stick with your two. Add them up, and if you are closer to 21 than the dealer is, you win.).

A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM. Our family got to take part in the Christmas Story, as our church Christmas party was called "A Night in Bethlehem." We followed the scriptures as Luke told of the shepherds (Teresa was one of them), and the Wise Men (Frank). David was a centurion guarding King Herod, and Kara was one of the angels singing! It was a nice evening, with good food, good company, and a really nice production of the Christmas story.

I could go on and on about how much baking has happened in our kitchen, as Teresa and Kara have lists of friends and teachers to whom they want to give gifts. Also class parties, and shopping for Secret Santa gifts. The best part for me is, THEY are planning and carrying most of it out! I chauffeur, provide the ingredients and offer tips here and there, but they are doing most of the "work." They bake and wrap and think of the gifts. The kids are having a lot of fun.

We are of course looking forward to Christmas at the end of this week. This is my favorite holiday, my very favorite time of year. I read inspirational Christmas stories that make me cry. I vow to do better -- to value people over things and to-do-lists.

The Christmas program at church was full of beautiful music and scriptures and messages. We have a lot of local musical talent, including instruments and vocal musicians. There was a 15-piece orchestra including a cello and a harp, playing for the choir up on the stand.

I'm afraid I'm going to blink, and Christmas will be over! Here's wishing you a peaceful and joyful holiday. (Note to self: Slow down and smile...breathe in and meditate upon the beauty of the season.)

Kari