Asparagus (“Gus”) the guinea pig once got into the holiday spirit with this Christmas bow, courtesy of my sister.
Whether it’s animals dressed like elves, Santas all around town or people running through the streets shouting, “‘Tis the seeeeeasoooonnnnn!!!” we can always tell when there’s Christmas in the air. The holiday is a season, a month-long more than a day-long celebration.
Louie, the family dog, would find his presents under the tree every Christmas morning. He was an expert unwrapper.
Growing up, my family used to alternate between seeing The Nutrcraker and A Christmas Carol at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo. Our dog opened his own presents under the tree, sniffing them out Christmas morning among the other gifts and meticulously tearing the paper to shreds. We gathered for Christmas caroling in the living room, my sisters and I each playing a handful of songs on the wooden upright piano we’ve had since I was six. Everyone has a number of family Christmas traditions or noteworthy holiday celebrations with friends. We all have our favorite Christmas memories.
The famous Ugly Christmas Sweater party thrown by me (left) and the little sister. Sidenote: I wear this red sweater on a daily basis around town during the holiday season. (Sweaters provided by Mom. The green one has wooden velcro stockings with the family members’ names. Classic!)
’Tis the season! I love Christmas. I love the weeks leading up to it. I love Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My family has a list of traditions, some that make sense, some that might make you think I’m Italian when there’s not a drop of Venice running through my veins (see #4).
Here’s a list of some of my family Christmas traditions through the years. What are some of yours?
Matching sister PJs (opened and worn on Christmas Eve!)
Family presents on Christmas Eve; Santa presents on Christmas Day (stockings after presents!)
Kris Kringle (family secretive gift-giving with things around the house, starting on Dec. 1 and going through Christmas Eve when we guess and reveal our Kris Kringles!)
Lasagna dinner on Christmas Eve; Spaghetti on Christmas Day
Watching Christmas movies Christmas Eve and Day (Home Alone, A Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause, Miracle on 34th Street, The Grinch… and occasionally Elf)
One year, the family was in Austria and Italy for Christmas. We tried our best to carry on the traditions abroad! (This is my favorite family photo, by the way. Captures us to a T.)
Dad makes waffles on Christmas Day
Overdecorate as much as possible (we had 7 Christmas trees—all artificial because my parents are allergic to the real deal)
Ugly Christmas Sweater and White Elephant Party (Mom had enough ugly sweaters to provide for all invitees not donning the holiday spirit)
The three sisters posed for a Christmas photo in our younger years. Guess which one is me? (My little sister calls this my sassy look.)
Setting up the handmade manger scene
Christmas music non-stop starting the day after Thanksgiving
Gingerbread houses using graham crackers, frosting and old candy leftover from Easter and Halloween
Stacey Venzel 