Christmas gets so much hype for about six months. We buy gifts, prepare recipes, spend time with family, but before we know it, it seems to be all over. Corporate America snaps its fingers, and BAM! No more Christmas music on the radio, discarded trees in neighborhood driveways, after-Christmas-sales, and talk of New Year’s resolutions and Valentine’s Day. What just happened America? I, for one, refuse to become ensnared by this society of “busyness” and “productivity.” Our world seems to spin faster and faster, and thus, so does my head. Has no one heard of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”? It’s December 29th, and I’m going to continue celebrating till January 6th.
With that in mind, I’ve got more time to continue my family’s Christmas traditions. Now, we’re all familiar with the classics like hanging up stockings, leaving out cookies and milk for Santa, and exchanging gifts. However, I think that it is both interesting and fun to learn about the traditions that are involved in family heritage. Why not try out that cookie recipe from your Italian grandmother? If you have Hispanic roots, then why not do a little exploring and see what traditions are a part of who you are? When you repeat time-honored rituals that have been celebrated by generations of your ancestors, it gives you a connection to your past that is irreplaceable. You don’t have to stop at Christmas either. Be creative and learn what makes your family’s blend of cultures tick. I find it really fulfilling to know that I’m a part of something bigger. These bits of our pasts make us who we are, and it does us good to be in touch with that.
Sometimes this exploration of heritage can be a little overwhelming at first, but it’s such a fun adventure! Here are some Christmas traditions from my family’s past that may help inspire you! I’ve listed them by country:
Ireland: Ahhhh, the Emerald Isle! Everyone knows about the Irish traditions surrounding St. Patrick’s Day, but the Irish have some pretty nifty Christmas traditions too. My family always puts battery-operated candles in the front windows, and this hearkens back to the Irish Christmas Candle. This was a real candle that was put into the front window of a home, done in memory of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. On the first Christmas Eve, the Holy Family was turned away from every inn in Bethlehem, and the Christmas Candle is meant to be a sign of welcome, so that when the Holy Family passes by, they know that there is a place for them. This also is meant to show that the hearts of those who live there are ready to welcome them in with love. It’s a beautiful reminder to be watchful and ready for the spiritual celebration of Christmas. For a quick read about other Irish Christmas traditions, I recommend the book An Irish Country Christmas, by Alice Taylor.
England: The English have some really nice Christmas Carols, and they sound really medieval. Two of my favorites are the Coventry Carol and What Child is This? The latter is sung to the tune of Greensleeves, which is an English melody. Another cool tradition is wassailing, which meant that the townspeople would carry a steaming bowl of wassail to their neighbors, singing carols and making merry. Wassail is a hot spiced wine, flavored with orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and other spices. The name came from the Anglo-Saxon “was hael” meaning “to you good health.” I can’t wait to try it out!
Germany: Let me tell you, the Germans know how to do Christmas. They have an old culture that is rich with traditions, and we probably owe most of our current Christmas memories to German customs that started it all. They are mainly known for their open-air Christmas markets. Craftsmen and shop owners set up booths and stalls to sell their wares, and it turns Christmas shopping into an enjoyable event. Instead of Christmas shopping becoming a hectic chore, you can choose from hundreds of homemade gifts and treats, and you pick a gift with intention, not because you feel rushed. How nice is it to take a night off and relax while choosing presents for people you care about?
Have you ever done a “Secret Santa” gift exchange? Well, you can thank the Germans, because they had the idea first. They call it “Christkind” or “Christ Child,” and it still works the same way. It’s nice to have another reminder of the reality behind the giving Christmas spirit.
One more thing from the Germans, although not directly related to Christmas. Every year, we make a German cheesecake using an old family recipe, and let me tell you, New York Cheesecake pales in comparison. We only make it during that interim from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and waiting for it all year makes it even more special and, dare I say it, more delicious?
Slovakia: I haven’t learned much about how the Slovaks celebrate Christmas, but one tradition that my family has always honored (without knowing it) is the celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas. This falls on December 6th. Saint Nicholas was a real person, and Santa Claus is the secular version of this Catholic bishop who was renowned for his charity and generous heart. Children leave their shoes out overnight and then Saint Nicholas leaves gifts and chocolates inside. A new tradition that I’m testing out this year is a recipe for medovniky, a Slovakian honey-cookie. I’ve done many Christmas cookies over the years, but I’m really excited to try something that is so deeply connected to my roots.
American South: Now we’re back to the U.S., and my mom’s side of the family hails from the South. Every year we make my great-great-grandmother’s eggnog recipe and give a jar of it to all of our friends. It’s gotten to be so well-liked, that it would be a catastrophic event if we ever skipped it! Of course, it’s loved so much because of all the liquor in it…… That’s the way they do it in New Orleans!
I sincerely hope that all these tidbits from my family’s past Christmases will inspire you to dive into who you are in a whole new way!
