I want to remember…
*Our first Hanukkah party at the synagogue we joined this year. A was shy at first, but by the end was running and playing with all the kids and it was beautiful to see a table filled with lit menorahs. Particularly after the horrific shooting at Bondi Beach, it was good to be together with a larger group of Jews to celebrate.
*The 80th year of our family Christmas party. This party has been thrown every year (except 2020) since 1946. My mom’s side of the family gathers the Sunday before Christmas and Santa visits. A was delighted to see Santa, M was full of tears and retreated to another room for snuggles. This event fills me with all the holiday nostalgia every year, and I’m so glad the tradition continues. It was a lot of work getting us ready to make the 2 hour drive, there may have been some hanger involved when we realized our planned food stop wouldn’t work out and we needed to pivot, but it was so worth it. On the drive home, the kids were in their pjs, and Joel and I did a deep dive into some of the less played and more religious Christmas tracks to find our favorite versions. Overall winner: "O Come All Ye Faithful" by Loretta Lynn.
*A delivering holiday cards to all our neighbors. She was very excited to lead the charge on this and raced ahead with M.
*Watching Champagne Problems with Joel and delighting in all the holiday movie tropes. Was it great? No. Did I find it delightful? Yes! Also, the lead actress is Lyla Garrity from Friday Night Lights for any fans.
*Watching The Grinch with A (1966 edition) while M napped to kick off winter break.
*Christmas Eve was really cozy and slow. We were staying with my parents, who both came down with head colds. This was a bummer and led to the canceling of the big Christmas dinner and less time with my baby niece, but we did end up having a nice, smaller time together even if it wasn’t what we planned. We had breakfast at a nearby cafe that is closing in 2026, and the kids spent a lot of time playing in the loft where my parents keep some of my brother and my childhood toys. Watching the girls play with my old American Girl dolls was really sweet. It was a rainy day, and my dad, A, and I completed a puzzle. Sipping wine and doing a puzzle was peak holiday relaxation.
*We did Christmas morning with just our little family before my parents were up. A big hit was the coupon book we made our six-year-old which contained such items as “stay up 20 minutes late with a parent,” “pick the family movie night,” and the big ticket item, “go to build a bear.” M loved all the baby accessory items since she is very into dolls, and the girls had fun setting up a baby care zone. Later in the morning, my brother and his family came over and we decorated the backyard a bit to do an outdoor celebration. Lots of niece snuggles, exuberant present opening, and hanging with the family. We had dinner with my parents and came home and slept in our own beds.
What was a moment that stands out to you from the past week?
What a fun holiday for your family! That family party sounds like quite the event! How cool that it has continued on for so many years!
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas Eve is the highlight for us. My husband’s cousin hosts. They have sort of adopted us into their family since Phil’s dad died. His cousins’ kids are all out of college so young kids are quite a novelty for them which means they gets tons of attention from the couple that hosts, especially the wife, and their kids. So Phil and I actually get to have adult conversations. It’s wonderful! Paul’s Sunday school class sang at the 4pm service so I enjoyed attending and hearing their little angelic voices!
This sounds lovely! Sorry your parents were sick, but it sounds like you had a really nice holiday anyway. And... you just gave me a really great idea. My daughter's birthday is December 30th, and once again I'm struggling to come up with ideas for presents (she just got EVERYTHING for Christmas!) Maybe I could make her a coupon book... it would look a little different for a 17 year old, but I'm sure I could come up with something.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you've written about it before, but I would be interested to hear more about your "interfaith" family, and how you make that work.
What a lovely family Christmas where lots of great memories were made! So wonderful that you were close enough to drive and see your family. It's amazing that you've been having this holiday getogether for 80 years!
ReplyDeleteJon and I were by ourselves for Christmas. My family is in Germany (and we couldn't travel) and Jon's mom passed in the summer, so we didn't go down to SoCal to spend it with her, as we had originally planned. We tried to make the best of it though - it was quiet and cozy.
Seriously so many great things to remember! I love the idea of a coupon book!
ReplyDeleteAnd your grandma’s party that’s been going on for so many years, so special.
So me, it’s not a specific moment that stands out but rather, an overall feeling of rest and relaxation. No need to rush anywhere, no need to be at work, no need to be anywhere but here.
The coupon book is such a great idea! I love that your daughter loved it so much, too. <3
ReplyDeleteA Christmas party that's been going on for 80 years is really something special!