Christmas Traditions 🎄

I got talking to a friend of mine over lunch the other day about how close it was to Christmas and what plans we had made. Well, she hadn’t planned much other than coming to our house for dinner which she has done for the past few years now. I’m thinking it’s turning into a wonderful Christmas tradition.

Our dinner is pretty traditional, but at the same time a little different in that it combines the Christmas turkey and all the usual trimmings with a birthday cake! And we celebrate and dine on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. December 24th is my Mother-in-law, Janet’s, birthday so we have a double celebration, the festive bird followed by the festive birthday cake.

Nothing too unusual at our house, but in other parts of the world people celebrate Christmas in different and interesting ways. I discovered that for the past 30 years or so people in Japan dine on KFC, yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken for their big dinner. Apparently, there is a lack of turkeys in Japan and KFC jumped on that fact to promote itself as “American food perfect for Christmas!” It was a hit, and now Christmas is KFC’s best-selling time of year in Japan.

In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of summer, so most of their Christmas dinners centre around outdoor feasts and barbecues. Prawns on the barbie and lobsters are usually on the menu.

And oh, to be in Italy at Christmas. The Christmas Eve dinner, known as "La Vigilia," is traditionally a seafood meal of salted cod, spaghetti vongole (spaghetti with clams) and calamari! They get into the hearty meals of lasagna and tortellini on Christmas Day.

Aside from the Christmas feast, there are the traditions we pick up along the way. One of the highlights of the season for us is taking the six grandchildren to the Christmas Pantomime presented by the White Rock Players. We’ve been doing this for years, and we thought that now that two of the grandkids are in university, they’d be getting too old for this, but they still love it. First, we have our group photo with Santa at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, then it’s off to White Spot for dinner, and finally to the show with goodie bags in hand. It’s a fun night and one we haven’t missed (with the exception of the dreaded Covid time!)

There’s also my wife’s special treat, “Jeri’s Jingle Bars!” A wonderful concoction of cranberries, and sliced nuts over a cookie type crust and all covered with a drizzle of white chocolate. A treat that both Squire Barnes and Chris Gailus of Global TV looked forward to every year.

Last Christmas I mentioned the tree ornament that I hang on the tree. This year will be the 75th year Santa on a bike has hung on the family tree. It was originally a gift tag that was designed to double as an ornament and was on a present from Uncle Tunney and Aunty Gee Gee. They weren’t our real Aunt and Uncle, just very close friends who didn’t have children of their own. They spoiled my sisters and me every year. You might call them unofficial Godparents. We looked forward not only to the gifts but to the amazing job Gee Gee did every year wrapping the presents. The wrapping was something out of a Better Home and Gardens magazine and always included a special gift tag. Santa on a bike is a very special tag as it was from my very first Christmas. I was only 4 months old when I received it, and thanks to my Mother, who tucked it away for safekeeping, dear old Santa has been riding the tree ever since.

When I was a kid one of the sure signs that the festive season had arrived at our house was something called “Stormer’s Punch.” My Dad’s name was Norman, and his nickname was Stormin’ Norman, and the punch was his version of Wassail. Dad turned it up a notch and put his own spin on it though, and “spin” was usually what the room would do if you had too many glasses of Stormer’s Punch. Dad wasn’t much of a drinker, he liked to have a sip of Scotch now and then, an ounce or two, no ice, so this punch was intended for any guests who would drop by. Stormer’s Punch is a secret family recipe, and without giving away the whole secret, the punch involves 4 ingredients, Rye Whiskey, Apricot Brandy, Orange Juice, and Ginger Ale. The main punch is made of the first 3 ingredients with Ginger Ale as the mixer.

Our boys have what I think is a wonderful tradition in their families. Every year they bring out the photos of the children’s visit with Santa. And not only the kid’s photos but their own photos from when they were young and any other member of the family who has somehow kept their Santa photos. As you can imagine, some of those pictures are getting pretty old but each year the collection gets bigger. The photos are of a few, with the rest of them on other shelves in other rooms. I’m hoping that their kids will carry on with this tradition, provided there’s enough room in the house!

It’s a wonderful time of year and as we get closer to the big day, we should also remember those less fortunate. In the next few days, we can help in any number of different ways. Whether it’s donating to food banks or shelters, giving to the Christmas Bureau or an agency that helps families in need. Maybe something as simple as inviting someone to dinner who might otherwise be spending the holiday alone. A little goes a long way at this time of year.

May you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas season.

Till next week...
Wayne