Christmas Traditions

[Ladygardener]

Rf had suggested a thread where we could all post Christmas Traditions we recall from earlier years or that we carry out now.
I thought I'd start us off, it'll be interesting to see if we have any in common with each other despite being from different places. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif

Although of course I live in the UK, Jenny lives in Ireland and some people do still speak Irish although from what I've found, most of them come from the North West/Donegal areas. My Grandmother on my Mothers side came from Donegal and spoke Irish fluently, especially when she was cross i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/wink.gif .

In Irish (or Gaelic) Christmas is 'Nollaig', Santa Claus is known as 'San Nioclás' (Saint Nicholas) or 'Daidí na Nollag' (Father Christmas) and Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Nollaig Shona Dhuit'

One of the traditions her that I've carried on from when my Mum used to do it although it has been handed down from ancient times, is putting a lit candle in the window on Christmas Eve after sunset. Traditionally this was to guide Joseph and Mary to shelter and has over the years been extended to signify committment on our part to reach out and help banish darkness for friends and strangers alike.

[MamIDdau]

Welsh for Merry Xmas is Nadolig Llawen, and Father Xmas is Siôn Corn.

There are many Welsh traditions, but none of them area really practised nowadays. You can still see Mari Lwyd in some parts of Wales (the grey mare which brings good luck) though.

The only tradition I have is getting up at stupid o'clock (never any later than 8:30am) and then phoning my parents to tell them Santa's been ;D

[Jasmine]

I didn't realise how driven by tradition our Christmas was until we started to change things.
Mum and Dad moving to Spain was the first thing. Prior to that my Mum and I had taken it in turns to host Christmas. Their last Christmas Mum and Dad said they were going to do their own thing but at the last minute my Dad got told to phone and ask if they could join us. That is my Mum to an absolute tee!
We have always had my In-laws down. OH is an only child, the boys their only grandchildren and they are the easiest guests in the world although FiL isn't keen on staying over in other folk's houses. For years we have been going to the Crib service at the church associated with the boys primary school, they have a real donkey and act out the Christmas story with adults (generally Mary is a new Mum in the village), then we go to the village pub for Christmas Eve dinner. I have always loved that bit. While we are at the pub Santa has always flown over and dropped 2 presents on the stairs by accident (only forgotten to leave them on one occasion and had to get home first!!)
This year we are not going to the pub (menu has changed and isn't as good) and that has caused a bit of worry about what we'll do instead so I'm not changing anything else this year.
I half wanted to go to Cormwall for Christmas this year but was out voted so we will be at home opening stockings and eating Christmas lunch.

One year - when the boys are doing their own thing - I would like to help at a shelter at Christmas time.

[Geranium]

I always used to 'host' Christmas, until we moved here, and now our daughter does it. My 'thing' which dates back to when the children were little, is to buy a 'Boxing Day Book'. I have to get one for everyone now, it used to be just the two.

We used to go to the Midnight Mass at Rochester Cathedral, but now of course that's not possible, and on Christmas Eve we're in Richmond. I do go to the local church on Christmas day for the morning (family) service - they make me very welcome there...and it's packed every year!

[Ladygardener]

Jasmine I love your Christmas eve going to see the Crib service. It's a shame the pub are'nt doing good food now but perhaps they'll make a special effort for Christmas. will your inlaws join you this year and how is your Mother In Law's arm? Did it all heal ok?
I've got friends going to Cornwall this year and then up to Londo for the New Year.

[Rosefriend]

When I was in the UK and still at home then it was a lovely Christmas, presents early morning in dressing gowns, carry on preparing the lunch and then dressing to go to church - my father was a Canon in the C of E... I think I spend most of my childhood in various churches!! In the afternoon family came and we used to have a lovely day - always watching the Queen's speech.!!!

Here in Germany things are very different...

To start with, of course Christmas Eve is the main day here...many people working until 1/2pm. Then off home and in my OH's family and many families the father and the children put the tree up and decorate it whilst "Mum" sorts the meal out for later. Many eat something very simple such as sausages (bockwurst) and potato salad and in OH's family traditionally was pea soup with dry bread and then Carp which in FIL's hayday was bought and allowed to swim in the bath for a couple of days to get rid of the mud and then killed, cleaned up and eaten. FIL was very proud of his fish and indeed it tasted very good. His unmarried sister was always guest at Christmas and after the meal which was early evening the door to the lounge was unlocked and everyone went to see if the Christkind (Christ child) had been with some presents. These had always been left under the tree...

Midnight mass was a must and everyone went, coming back in the early morning to celebrate my MIL's birthday (25th) and everyone was always late in bed but always up early on the 1st day of Christmas as it is called here..and Mutti's birthday which was celebrated with visitors but above all goose...the Germans mostly eat Goose with all the trimmings on the 25th...

After a couple of times OH and I decided to stay at home on 24th and drive over on the 25th for all the celebrations and Mutti's incredible gateau's that she made for her birthday... I don't think she ever really forgave me for not eating them...I did try a forkful every year but I dislike cake and always felt sick afterwards so I stopped totally one year.

On the 2nd day of Christmas or our Boxing Day OH and I had the English Christmas lunch with turkey.

After many years OH and I took over cooking on the 25th for Mutti and Vati and Aunt. We cooked and drove over with everything , making sure that there was enough for the next day that they could just warm things up.
This went on until the last one died and now we have our own little tradition - if one can call it that!!

All through the years we were always on the road for Christmas and sometimes it took us hours to get there and back with the bad weather and we were exhausted to be honest. Also as long as I had any family in the UK I was always very homesick so all in all Christmas for me was something to get through as quickly as possible...

The first Christmas that we were free to do what we wanted after 30 years we made a big decision and decided not to accept the offer from the girls to go to them in alternate years as once again this would have meant us doing all the driving and we are pleased now that we stuck to our guns and can now stay at home.
We do miss seeing the Gkids but there is skype and telephones and to be honest they are so busy playing with their new presents that they don't take any notice of anyone anyway...

So these days we have the Christmas that OH and I always wanted. Christmas Eve my OH decides what we eat, Christmas day is now our English day with turkey and all the trimmings and Boxing day is the best day of all - leftovers...no driving, no stress and due to the wonderful TV that we have in German which is mostly terror, horror or cartoons - we actually don't really know that it is Christmas anyway...

RF

[Auricula]

When we lived in Essex we hosted Xmas Day for my family. My parents would come up on Xmas eve and stay until Boxing Day ( their wedding anniversary) and my aunt would come for the day. The boys, of course would also be there. OH used to only get Xmas Day and Boxing Day off work, and I'm sure would have preferred a more relaxing time, but, as the daughter, I did what was expected and we had a good time.
Now, we get the best of all worlds. OH and I have Xmas Day and Boxing Day here, just the 2 of us. We go to the beach and drink hot chocolate at the beach bar, have a nice leisurely meal, open pressies and of course speak to all the family.
On the 27th we usually go "up country" to Essex,Suffolk,Norfolk and Cambs. We see both the boys and their families, my brother, OH's sister and a couple of friends. Everyone is under less pressure and the Grand daughters are thrilled to get another sack full of presents without being overwhelmed. We usually come back around NYEve ( a big celebration down here) having driven about 1000miles, slept in 4 different places and been thoroughly spoilt ............ I love it ;D

[Auricula]

Forgot to say - it's a tradition that I never make my mince pies until Xmas Eve ( or is that disorganisation ) ;D

[Jasmine]

Why would you start to get organised any sooner ;D

[Auricula]

My thoughts exactly - it's only like a big Sunday lunch, with High Tea to follow.........................I manage that, every week

[Jasmine]

...and Queenie with High Tea! ;D

[Auricula]

Never!!!!!!!

[Jasmine]

No, not us either!

[Rosefriend]

What does everyone else do...apart from eat and drink like the rest of us??

RF

[Ladygardener]

I'm not too sure exactly what's happening this year. Ruth and Tim and family usually come over here and either Jenny and family come up north or we all head down to her. A couple of years ago we changed this as there was far too much travelling to spend only a couple of days together. We all went to Ruth's last year and were exhausted by the time we got there. Thankfully Ruth had organised a cottage for us to stay in as there just would'nt be room for 5 extra people in her house. Because of work commitments we could only stay a few days.
This year Ruth and the boys are going to her Mother in laws for lunch but will be sleeping in their own home. We'll talk on the phone or/and skype.
Jenny and the girls will come up north and I'll be seeing them, if not on Christmas day then on boxing day for a few days. They need to spend some time with her Daddy too you see.

[JennyWrenn]

As a child I used to look fwds to Christmas and it never got started until end of November not like end of August as is the norm these days

The School Nativity Play was always a joy to take part in; we made our own Christmas Cards and Decorations and took them home proudly for Mum and Dad to put up even tho they were quite awful and of course we had the school Carol Concert always a good turn out of parents

Now people are not sending as many cards and making do with Texts and E-cards and the artificial tree has taken over from the real ones (I am guilty as anyone here )

Traditions are dying out sadly - I blame it all kicking off at the end of Summer you just get so fed up by December you cant be bothered

I may go eat one of my chokks from the Advent calender now I am up to Dec 3rd just a bit ahead of myself

[Ladygardener]

Just a tat JW, you'll have to buy another one to keep you going until Christmas. ;D

[Auricula]

Traditions change ( albeit slowly, or they wouldn't be traditions ;D )
You must have gone to posh schools Jenny, my schools never had a carol service or a Nativity ( beyond the infants )
My Dad worked on London Transport so he often worked Xmas Day ( double time) and Boxing Day ( time and a half) and my OH only ever had the 2 days off ( as does no 1 son) so there were never any big get togethers. It really is only one big meal ( a large Sunday roast ) on one big day. I don't say that as someone being miserable, I love Xmas. I just can't understand how some people get themselves stressed,frazzled and in debt just for one day a year ( Next's sale starts at 6am Boxing Day ;D)

[Jasmine]

We have always had Christmas round shift work...my Mum when we were growing up (she was a nurse) and now OH. I quite like waiting for Christmas later on in the day otherwise prezzies all seem to be over too quickly. I wasn't so keen on waiting obviously when I was little! ;D
I love Christmas at school although we always made glittery decorations, cards and calendars when I first started teaching (used to give me nightmares about getting it all done!) and now the kiddies make a card...if there's time. There's a certain sort of magic about Christmas at school although it is weird taking everything down on the last day of term.

[Auricula]

Yes, it always seemed funny to be taking things down at work when we were just putting them up at home ;D
We've never done anything at home until after no1 son's birthday which is the 14th. Infant School Xmas parties / concerts were often on that day and he used to think they were for him - bless ;D

[Jasmine]

Awww!
LT was asking when we were going to put up the tree (boy after my own heart!) and I said we'd always waited til after their birthday (4th) til we did anything really Christmassy like that and he said had we!!!

[Auricula]

We actually had some cards displayed one year when no1 son called in. He was appalled and said, it's not my birthday yet!! I gently pointed out that not only was he 26 but he was married,with a baby and had his own house ;D He was still adament that they shouldn't be up, so now I phone him on the 15th and tell him we're putting up the cards and tree ;D

[Ladygardener]

i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif Jenny would be keen to get Christmas started, even before she was married with the children.

A couple of the houses in our terrace have their trees up and the windows alight. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif

[JennyWrenn]

I never thought it was a posh school Auricula - I lived in the depths of the country and the school activities were the only entertainment for miles

We didnt have flush loos either

[MamIDdau]

We had carol service at Xmas. I was in the choir and we used to do christmas concerts as well.

[carolann]

The only tradition we have is for me to go out Christmas morning and pick the sprouts for our meal but not this year as its only OH, FIL (who is bed bound) and myself so this year I'm making a hot pot and not Turkey of any kind ;D its just another day here on the farm the animals still have to be fed and watered plus we are fed up with the fuss from the middle of summer onwards its getting just too much now. I may make a trifle for afters though.

[Ladygardener]

Christmas is'nt Christmas for me without Trifle. It's much more a tradition than Christmas Pudding.

[MamIDdau]

I suppose I'd best mention our tradition of receiving of advent calendars every year from my Mum seeing as SOMEONE <coff> was moaning about it on my fb status...

[Auricula]

How did I guess that Advent Calendars would raise their heads??

[Jasmine]

My In-laws don't bother with turkey if they don't come to us Carolann - they choose something they fancy like steak.

The boys have advent calendars with pockets and you move a snowman along each day to the right pocket. When they first got them I started putting a choocie in the pocket...it was put their by santa's elves....we still joke about it now. I often go to bed before the boys now so they'd be no slipping choccies in calendars secretly anymore anyway! ;D