Christmas traditions

[susandennis]

I grew up in a very Father Knows Best, Leave it to Beaver family. Mom and Dad were married to each other for 51 years before he died 4 years ago. I am the oldest and I have a sister 18 months younger and a brother 4 years younger. We grew up away from both my mother's family and my father's and our Christmas traditions, while drawn from them, were created by Mom and Dad for us.

Just after Thanksgiving, Mom started baking cookies. She had about 5 recipes that she made every year. All were unique and all were perfectly delicious and beautiful. And she made sugared pecans and salted pecans. We were pretty much banned from the kitchen area during this time. We got to sample the cookies sometimes but only the broken ones.

The day before Christmas Eve, Mom and Dad set up a production line in the family room. First the aluminum pie plates each lined with fluffed up white tissue paper. Then filled with an assortment of cookies and pecans. Then each of these was placed on a square of stiff, transparent cellophane. The corners of the cellophane were then paired at the top and tied with a red ribbon bow making each into a shimmering triangular tower of wonder.

Most years there were between 25 and 50 of these beauties. And Christmas Eve was delivery day. We'd fill up the station wagon - yep, some years it was even a woodie - with the beautiful cookie towers. We kids were scrubbed down and dressed nicely with shiny curled hair. This was the one day a year when my brother was not allowed to wear whatever his obsession was that year - Superman towel cape or Davy Crocket coonskin cap, etc.

Mom disappeared and Daddy pilled us kids into the front of the wagon and off we went on the Delivery Express. At most places, I'd carry the cookies and my brother and sister would tag along and Daddy would stand at the car and wave. We were a complete package. I don't remember this being anything but a delightful adventure even if we did have to bring along the two brats.

Then home to Christmas Eve dinner which was always a beef feast.

Santa always came to our house first. Mom and Dad explained that it was because we were German (I did not, at the time, question anything Santa did as he always did such a great job - so I bought the German bit - whatever). But the rituals never ever ever changed until I left for college.

After dinner, we were allowed to open our present from Aunt Etta (Grandpa's sister) because Aunt Etta always sent pajamas. Then it was upstairs to put on those new pajamas. Mom always helped and Daddy always stayed downstairs.

About the time we finished, the jingle bells that were tradionally on our front door would start to jingle big time. We would then hear Daddy open the front door and then the following conversation which never ever ever changed:

Daddy: Why Santa! Merry Christmas. This is a pleasant surprise!
Santa: I heard there were some good children here and I brought some things...

Then Daddy and Santa would proceed to have a full out chat in decibels that allowed us to catch every word. And it would always end with:

Daddy: Santa would you like to stay and have a drink? [Daddy was a serious fan of the cocktail.]
Santa: No, thank you, I have lots of work to do...
Daddy: Ok, well, thank you. The children will be thrilled. Merry Christmas to you!
Santa: I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year... [his voice always faded off]

We'd hear the door close and then Daddy would yell up the stairs "Kids! Come down here! You won't believe this!!"

The presents from Santa would be unwrapped and at the base of the tree on top of the wrapped ones which we had all seen. We spent the rest of the evening unwrapping and Christmas-ing.

Christmas Day was leisurely - involved a turkey dinner - and afternoon teas and parties at the homes of my parents' friends.

I knew that everyone else on the planet had Christmas on Christmas morning. But, I thought that's what they meant when they talked about the underprivileged.

I was then and am now very lucky, very blessed and very grateful.