Christmas Traditions and all that Jazz

Like many families our household has many traditions for the celebration of Christmas.  Some of those traditions are passed from one generation to another - our family is no different. We celebrate the joy of Christmas incorporating new and old traditions in all we do.  Our children are now making their own traditions with their own partners and children and I hope they will continue to value those traditions and share the joy of Christmas within their own homes.

O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE

Every year our tree is resurrected from its dust covered box in the roof and decorated with beautiful baubles.  Amongst those baubles are some very old decorations that were brought to Australia from Wales when I was a little girl.  Every year they are stored safely away in bubble wrap and when placed on the tree they provide me with many happy memories of Christmas in my own parent's home so long ago.
In addition to those 'antiques' there are decorations that have younger memories attached - like the CORN DOILLIE from our lovely friends in the UK, Ken and Linda.  
There are also hand-stitched decorations from members of an  'exchange' cross-stitch group that I regularly stitch with in Round Robins.

Then a new 'tradition' began with my own children giving us a new decorations for our tree every year - from Scotland, Wales and England. There is, of course, some elephant decorations - no prize in guessing who they might be for! And this year I added a new 'tradition' for myself - a photo of each of my children, so they can always share Christmas day with me no matter where in the world, or Australia, they may be.

1981 - the year it all began for us

 Traditionally there are two decorations that are placed last on the tree.  Every year the 'Other Half' and I take turns in placing these two - they represent the beginning and continuation of our relationship every year.

FOOD - GLORIOUS FOOD

We all know how important a role the wonderful goodies of Christmas plays.  Traditionally there has always been a hot, traditional English Christmas dinner in our house - a legacy left from my own heritage.  There is usually a lovely leg of pork with apple sauce, and lots of crackling of course; a roast turkey breast with cranberry sauce; brussel sprouts in lemon juice; honeyed carrots; roast potato; parsnip; and minted peas; with a lovely thick red wine gravy.  In addition, a little Aussie tradition is added with cold ham and mustard, and roast pumpkin (they don't have roast pumpkin in the UK - pumpkin is only fed to the pigs!).  Of course, the traditional dinner would not be complete without a home-made pudding, with lashings of brandy cream sauce, and custard.  And I am proud to say that my daughters (and English daughter-in-law) have all asked for my pudding and cake recipes to continue the tradition.
Let's not forget that other traditional goodies are also part of the preparation for the season of over-indulgence - fruit mince pies; shortbread; Welshcakes; rum balls; white Christmas; and the all important Christmas cake - cooked and soaked in liqueur from the beginning of November!

SANTA PLEASE STOP HERE!
Stockings are hung with much pomp and ceremony on Christmas eve, with the expectations that there will be some interesting little goodies found there on Christmas morning.  All my children, their partners, and my grandchildren have a personally stitched stocking that they are all proud to hang - I just hope there are not too many more grandchildren to stretch my imagination with.

There are many more traditions but we'll keep those for another year!


NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS   

We celebrated in style at the inaugural masquerade party at Weis restaurant in Toowoomba.