Christmas 2009 marked the celebration of old traditions and the beginning of new ones. Not only are we in a foreign culture this year, it was also our first Christmas without extended family.
In relationships, it’s always tricky blending traditions and finding that happy medium between the two of you. Often times, certain traditions from one spouse’s childhood will completely contradict the other’s. For instance, my father grew up with stockings always being unwrapped whereas wrapped stocking gifts were a big deal for my mother. She often jokes about how it was a battle in the beginning of their marriage and in hindsight, she wonders why Dad didn’t just wrap her stocking presents while she left his unwrapped! If only it were always that easy!
Thankfully, Tim and I have a pretty like-minded idea of what Christmas should be…after the obvious priority of celebrating Jesus’ birth, Christmas is pretty much summed up for us by pajamas, movies, coffee, savoury food, family games and sugary treats! We’ve done most of this already — some of them a little too much (ahem…sugary treats…) and are looking forward to another few days of more!
NEW TRADITIONS
Having a real tree was a first for us! No more Martha Stewart pre-lit tree as it wouldn’t plug in here anyway!
Tim prepping the tree with real candles! A Swiss tradition!
We lit the tree on Christmas Eve, as is Swiss tradition. After the boys went to bed, Tim and I played a board game by candlelight with a watchful eye on the blazing tree!
TRADITIONS OF OLD
Perhaps my favourite tradition of all — Christmas baking. I will always have the fondest memories of my Gramma who used to ship us an apple box (or two!) of baked treats at Christmas. We’re talking layers upon layers of chocolate fudge, No-Bake caramel cookies, Nanaimo Bars, and shortbread. One year I mentioned that I don’t like walnuts in fudge and for every year after that, she sent a few layers of nut-less fudge just for me. Let’s be honest — I don’t think you can ask for a better Gramma. I have taken some of her staples (her Nanaimo Bar recipe is simply top notch) and adapted some of my own recipes — like these No-Bake Chocolate Cookies and my most recent success (which will be making regular appearances around here), White Chocolate Craisin Biscotti. I’m sure the Christmas-15 is trying to rear its’ ugly head but I figure if all I eat is sugary goodness and no real food, the calories just sort of balance out in the end (*note sarcasm*).
Someone else around here is enjoying this yummy tradition, too. From the looks of it, Santa must have been hungry after rappelling down to our first floor flat from the roof (yes, that’s what he does here…) because he ate all three No-Bake Chocolate Cookies and the reindeer ate the carrots! 
And of course, we’re carrying on the Rittenhouse tradition of completing a Christmas coloring book picture before opening presents. This photo is blurry but it’s the only evidence we have!
Christmas morning wouldn’t be Christmas morning without the Rittenhouse Strata! A heavenly concoction of bread, cheese, egg, milk and bacon all meshed together in perfect ooey-gooey goodness. Yummm… The best part? You make it the night before and just pop it in the oven on Christmas morning! We had to improvise a bit as bacon is different here and the only “mozzarella” I can find is actual soft mozzarella but I think it almost tasted as good as when Grandma Down The Street used to make it.
For Tim, it’s not Christmas until you’ve watched the Charlie Brown Christmas movie! I know the boys will take this one with them, too. The political-incorrectness of the movie is quite amusing but kind of backfires when your four-year-old starts moping everywhere while constantly uttering “good grief!”.
D– FAMILY TRADITIONS
Tim and I have always exchanged ornaments every year. The challenge is to find one that somehow represents something meaningful from the past year. Of course it was no surprise that we both opted for a Swiss ornament as our gift to one another! We’ve also given the boys an ornament each year which they will one day take to their own family trees. We love this tradition and it’s so fun to go back through all the meaningful moments captured in each ornament given.
What traditions do you have that make Christmas for you?
timmyd
Natasha (Domestica)
Nice traditions. We are doing the real tree thing here as well and I SOOOOO miss the candles. Maybe when my rascals are a wee bit older.
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