Thanksgiving the past few years has consisted of over 50 people, and Christmas Eve at my house is at least 25 people. Even when we don't have blood family celebrating with us, we're always surrounded by family. I've dealt with big holidays and small holidays but let me tell you why big holidays with big families are the best.
1. Big Holidays= Big Dinners.
Yep, that's right, when you get over 50 people bringing different dishes to a dinner, you're bound to have a TON of food. I'm talking two turkeys, two hams, over 20 lbs of mashed potatoes, 15 pies big. I'm talking deer kebobs, crab dip, corn pudding, 3 different mac and cheeses, 9 different cheese and sausage platters before dinner big. I'm talking 30+ coolers of beer and a full bar big. I'm talkin BIG.
2. Getting Away With Murder
Before dinner, be it Thanksgiving or Christmas, The Moms (as a collective) are all cooking dinner, telling each other how nice the house looks, giving each other cheesy gifts, and sipping wine. Whereas the husbands all find themselves watching football. With everyone busy doing something, this leaves ample time to steal fudge, "take a walk", or do anything else before dinner with family friends or cousins. You can get away with anything during this time, especially when you come back and your favorite aunt sticks up for you by telling your mom to leave you alone.
3. Your Mom Sends You Back To School With Leftovers
Okay, I know that I'm not the only college student who A) can't cook, B) is sick and tired of dining hall food, and C) doesn't want to spend $20 on a pizza (bc college is hashtag-expensive). My mom sent me back with chili, a whole turkey leg (drumstick AND thigh), and my best friend's mom sent me back with a Tupperware of mac and cheese, potatoes, oyster stuffing, and turkey along with a gallon bag of rolls. Let me repeat. A GALLON BAG FULL OF ROLLS. I have never been so happy. I get to eat actual dinner without having to cook for myself, and I know i'm getting veggies and other healthy foods.
4. Somebody Always Wants To Take Post Dinner Naps With You
After a big thanksgiving or a huge Christmas Eve dinner (Christmas Eve dinner is more important in my family's culture than Christmas day), I can always bet that either one of the little kids, or one of my sisters wants to take a nap with me. Or even just lay down and watch Christmas movies with me.
5. The Holiday Magic
With my little nieces and nephews running around, we still get that *Christmas Magic*. I love watching the little kids wide-eyed and excited, not being able to sleep. I miss the days when my younger siblings still believed in Santa and would wake my parents up at 6 am. The little kids are always excited to write letters to Santa, to go to our church's Pancake Breakfast With Santa and take pictures of our very own "Santa". Seeing the magic of Christmas emulated through a child is such a pure, beautiful thing.
Insert a picture of my nieces who are THE CUTEST THINGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD, OKAY.
6. Family Traditions
In my family, we have multiple traditions during the holiday season. My nonna always makes fudge, we leave out "Reindeer Food" uncooked oatmeal and carrots, and leave out our version of milk and cookies (beer and kielbasa), we have Polish Christmas on Christmas Eve with our two very close family friends, we leave an empty chair for the "uninvited guest".
7. Being Surrounded by so Much Love
For my family's Christmas Eve, I'm surrounded by my immediate family, and our very close family friends. While these people aren't blood, it's almost kind of more reassuring knowing that these people WANT to be a part of my family. I know I can count on them for anything, and I know they have unconditional love for me.
So from all of us in the Perry household, Happy Holidays.
