Nothing quite brings families together like the holidays. Snow masks fallen autumn leaves and holiday music takes over the airwaves. The days become shorter and loved ones are pulled a little closer. Families converge again in a familiar setting, where preserved traditions are practiced and new memories are made.
Everyone has busy lives, but the roads all lead back to my Aunt Heathar and Uncle Harold’s house on Christmas day and specifically to one focal point, a beautiful round table, situated in their living room. The table came from a hunting camp, purchased by my Aunt Heathar’s grandfather and three brothers, located in the Adirondack mountains in Wells, NY. The camp didn’t have running water or electricity and was originally an old mill. Her grandfather made the mill’s wheel into a table in 1960.
For many years, the table sat in my Aunt Heathar’s grandparents living room and quickly became the centerpiece of the entire house. My Aunt can remember her Grandparent’s German friends bringing over Feuerzangenbowle, a traditional German wine with a dripping sugar cone over top. The hot wine in a beautiful copper pot was accompanied by fondue. Both were consumed around the special table, while watching old slideshows of my Aunt and her sister, Debbie, growing up and reflecting back on memories.
My Aunt Heathar and Uncle Harold built a house of their own in 1987 and modeled it after the blueprints from her grandparents’ house, where all those incredible memories were made. The table was passed down to my aunt and placed in their living room. “We didn’t have children at the time, but we said that we’d always have Christmas here in the house, so that the kids didn’t have to leave their toys,” my aunt stated. She plans on passing the table down to her own children, Victoria and Dustin, someday.
For now, the table remains in my aunt and uncle’s house, storing memories from days’ past, witnessing celebrations and difficult times, overhearing stories, and uniting the family at Christmas time. Feuerzangenbowle and fondue were enjoyed around the table this Christmas in memory of my aunt’s grandmother. Dinner was followed by another tradition, the peppermint pig.
The famous peppermint pig is purchased from Saratoga Sweets Candy Co. in Saratoga, NY. The peppermint candy molded in the shape of a pig is placed in a red velvet bag and passed around the table to each family member. Everyone takes a turn saying what he or she was thankful for the past year and whacking the velvet bag with a hammer.
“Sometimes people cry, sometimes people laugh, and sometimes people get frustrated with me because I make them do it,” said my Aunt Heathar, “but in the long run, everyone enjoys talking about family and hopes and dreams for the new year.” Once the pig makes its rounds, the velvet bag is opened and everyone takes a piece of peppermint for good luck in the coming year.
“When I pass, I hope someone continues the traditions. I want to instill it in all the children, so they can do something like that for their families,” said my Aunt Heathar. The table from the old mill, Feuerzangenbowle, and peppermint pig transcended their material values to become symbols of family, tradition, and memories.
My aunt continued, “I have problems with my eyes and that’s one thing, if I do someday lose my eyesight, I have those memories to keep me going and I’ll never forget those. That will keep me going.”
