Holiday memories and traditions

[LennG]

I was going to post this on the main board as it would get more play but we sort of have our own little family here as we know each other very well, so I thought it would be more appreciated here.

Growing up, being Jewish, my family really didn't make a big deal of Hanukkah. We got presents et al, but we weren't religious and we sort of used Christmas as an excuse to eat out or have a party. Most of my friends weren't of the Jewish faith and my best friend was Italian I believe I spent more time in his house than my own. I used to go to his parent's house every Christmas Eve and help them celebrate. His family was 'old school' Italian and my friend's Dad had this homemade Annisette that his father made in a bathtub (really) and they called it "Old Hag Juice'. So every Christmas Eve we used to have a shot or two of this and it was potent stuff. As time went on, I married and my wife never participated in a Christmas Eve party. She was brought up Orthodox and Christmas was the so-called enemy. I explained to my wife that we aren't celebrating the reason for Christmas, just the celebration of the season, goodwill et al. She relented and every Christmas Eve we continued to go to my friends' parents' home and celebrate, and as time went on 'Old Hag Juice' got smaller and smaller, until I was the only one who continued to just have a shot. My friend's parents loved my wife and when they had their big family meal, they set up a special table for us and had bagels, lox, and assorted other things. Many times we had more people eating at our table than the main meal.
My wife got to love the idea of this Christmas Eve celebration and even sat on Santa's lap. We continued to do this until my friend's parents, one passed the the other moved to North Carolina. Eventually, they all moved there so all we have left are wonderful memories of good times. We look back at pictures of all our kids growing up, year after year and now all have f families of their own.
For a Jewish family, these are our Christmas memories and our traditions that will always be in our most pleasant memories.
For my own family, we ALWAY made a big deal of Hanukkah, giving our children gifts on every night while each had their own menorah to light. I always made latkes and thankfully, they still love them and always ask when I am making them again so they can come over. We always had a big Hanukkah party on the Saturday night of Hanukkah inviting many friends over. Alas, that has also changed as many have passed and others moved away, and really, since I usually do all the cooking, it is a bit overwhelming nowadays.
Some traditions need to change to adjust for time. Hopefully, our children will have their own traditions to carry on to their families.

Anyway, happy holidays to all my good friends here. You all make every day I come here most pleasant and enjoyable. Thank you all.

[ozzie]

And Happy Holidays to you, Lenn. I loved reading your post about one of your traditions, which is now a sweet memory for you.
My wife and I moved to Texas in the early 90's and have raised two beautiful daughters. We both come from big families who would "do it up" around the holidays, but since we have no other family around, we have started out own traditions with just the four of us. Ever since they were little kids our girls have loved movies. One year our oldest suggested watching some Christmas movies and sleeping "under the Christmas tree"! Well, we really couldn't sleep under it, but my wife and I made do on the sofas for the night, while the little ones got out sleeping bags and pillows and took up residence on the floor for the night. We kept the tree lights on and we all slept in the glow of the tree. Believe it or not, as crazy as it sounds, we still do this every year. Of course, a few of the logistics have changed as they have grown, but we still make a point to have our movie / sleep over night. Our girls are now 30 & 27 years old, but they love this tradition and want to keep it going. I have to admit, I love that they still want to!
We have a few more traditions that we have created and kept alive throughout the years, but those I'll save for another time.
Happy Holidays! 

[LennG]

I guess no one else has any holiday traditions.