Our Christmases before children, were spent on our own. Watching re-runs of Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers films and anything we felt like watching. My mother was quite annoyed that I didn’t invite her, but I was determined to keep it just us. When we had the kids, we invited mom to come to us. Her favourite saying was “Christmas is for kids” so we thought it fitting. She had 4 other grandchildren, but was never invited to their houses (I wonder why). When she was at my house it meant that my brothers didn’t feel that they had to do anything with her, so they didn’t visit either. So it was just us. One Christmas she stayed until 4th January! She did nothing but moan from getting up to going to bed. However, she couldn’t dampen our spirit. We played with the girls and opened a present every hour throughout the day until they were gone. We also watched “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Every year!
A few years later, Mom decided she didn’t want to come to us. The reason was that my brothers Mother in Law spent Christmas in my moms house and indeed her bed (my brother and his wife lived with her). She had also been given better presents than mom, so she didn’t want to come to us any more! That meant that our Christmases were lovely. The girls got up late and we opened a few pressies, then visited Mom…until I saw my churchy brother arrive then we would leave (really annoyed my mom, but I don’t care).
When the girls were teenagers they had their own TV upstairs. One Christmas Eve they watched “While you were Sleeping” and this became a tradition. Every Christmas Eve until they got married we would watch that film! Since getting married…they insist on coming here as Christmas is about giving and family. The come around 1/2 oclock and we open presents slowly throughout the day. We eat at around 4, then everyone clears up and I sit down (they do offer to help, but I prefer to do it my way). Later they will go home and Jovis and I will go over the day together. The funny thing is…even though they are in their thirties, Santa still brings them a sack…and little Joe and his sister too! I am sure this year Noodle will get a sack as well. I am not bothered about receiving presents, but I love to give them.
Jovis enjoys having our family here. His mother tried to make Christmas special but she was super religious and poor so presents were not the main focus and never have been for us. His father didn’t care (or didn’t seem to…he was a broken man, a polish refugee). I have told the girls I am happy for them to make their own traditions, but they are adamant that they like it the way it is. Which is great for us as we love having them here!
For the meal…we have Turkey and Pork (roasted I think in the USA it is broiled? cooked in the oven). I make my own stuffing which, unfortunately, is not BSD friendly. We have roasted parsnips and potatoes, carrots, broccoli and peas. I forgot to mention sausage meat which is a favourite. I make a gravy from scratch so it is always super delicious. We pull crackers and wear novelty hats. Read the mottos and jokes to each other and generally have the most fun! We always toast our departed loved ones with fizzy wine/champagne…then we toast each other. Not all of them drink, so some of them toast with lemonade. The thought is still the same.
Then back into the living room (lounge/den) to open more presents and play with the toys the children have. We have chocolates on the tree so sometimes they eat them (I am not a chocolate lover).
Well that’s about it. One more thing. We sign our Christmas cards “from Mary and Joseph” which always gives us a laugh. We really believe that this is the most wonderful, magical time of the year and we give thanks that we have a wonderful family to share it with.
Happy holidays!
xxxx