December 05, 2021 – Traditions

THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.

WHERE TO?                       TASTE.                        SEE.

The Best Traditions.

Tis the season when people feel they must tell you the “best” of everything.

Brand X is the BEST beer. I’m not much of a beer drinker, so that’s not important to me.

Bell bottoms are the “BEST” fashion statement out there. Maybe for you.

Black is this year’s Black only if it looks good on YOU.

I bring this up because, in December, we get the “best” gift (for him, her, it.)

They (who are they?) try to program us in the “best” way to celebrate the holiday.

The “best” food to prepare/eat, “best” ear cleaner, nose-hair trimmer, personal wash, etc…

It’s enough to make me book a one-way ticket to the Island of Misfit Toys with no return.

Remove “best” from your holiday planning.

Learn where the “mute” button on your TV is and use it liberally.

What’s “best” for me may not be the same for you.

The BEST Christmas Markets.

Mel’s Meat Market may be the best market for my meat-eating friends, while the vegans in the group may feel differently.

Some people shop at Needless Markup, while others stroll the aisles at Walmart. Which is best?

There is a correct answer for everyone I ask that question, but it is not necessarily the same answer for each person.

If your family ancestry dates back to England, then the “best” Christmas Market for you may not be the one in Zagreb, Croatia. It is a beautiful market, but maybe it’s not the “best” for you.

Christmas markets are different. Some are huge; some are only a few stalls. There are those that begin in November, while others are one weekend or just December 24th. Some have performers, while at others, the people watching is the entertainment.

Unfortunately, commercialism is creeping into almost all of them on some level.

The good news, many of those in Europe are closer to 99% traditional than the other end of the spectrum. So what is the “best” Christmas Market for you?

The BEST Christmas Cuisine.

Can we agree that not all traditional food is the “best” for you without beating a dead bob-tailed horse?

I am not saying you should not try it.

On the contrary, I think you should sample most things once.

While the sugar cookie is this person’s go-to holiday treat, it is a mince pie for others. Or what about the mysterious fruitcake?

Why did your grandmother always make that (bread, cookie, pie) at Christmas? Does that recipe come from Budapest, Bavaria, or Boise?

Stop, and think about a traditional Christmas treat from your childhood.

Where is its origin? Why was it part of your family’s celebration? A special cookie? The Christmas morning cake or was it a dish during the Christmas Day dinner?

Is there a particular restaurant you go to at Christmastime? Why? How did that tradition begin?

For more than 20 years, I have hosted a Christmas party at my home close to the beginning of December.

Every year, people tell me how much they look forward to it as it “kicks off” their holiday and lets them forget about the outside world for a few hours.

The menu this year will be 90% the same as what it was the first year. So let’s call it a tradition.

Now and then, someone tries to change my traditional party.

If it ain’t broke… You serve that Kale Christmas Tree dip at your party.

The guest list may change (a little) but not the traditional menu.

Where Do These Traditions Come From?

I don’t know. But traditions are a part of the Christmas fabric.

For my party, I spend several days making desserts that came from my mother. Many of these came from her mother. Unfortunately, I do not know the history of the recipes past that generation. But, they are still old traditions to me.

My rum cake is not my mother’s tradition. I would guess most of my party guests probably did not have it growing up in their household. And yet, if I did not serve it, I would get coal (or worse) in my stocking.

It is a new tradition.

What are your traditions? Cherish and keep them.

When Do You Celebrate Christmas?

Not everyone celebrates Christmas morning.

In some countries, it is December 24th, others it may be both. Some rejoice for one day, others for twelve.

In most European countries, the holiday season runs most of the month. However, even without one hallmark movie, they still fill 30 days with activities.

So the “best” Christmas time to celebrate is, well, that’s not so clear.

It’s A Gift.

In Europe, it feels most people have a better grip on the real reason for the season.

If you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, the main gift is a miracle that happened many years ago. It is the basis for our faith.

It was not about what you buy, or eat, or wear. Really, It was about the birth of a child.

Thanks to the three kings, there is the tradition of gifts. But those gifts were well thought out. Not a frenzied buy because they were on sale.

The Material Gifts.

The Three Wise Men must look down and shake their heads on Black Friday. So many un-Christian acts, words and, thoughts in the name of Christmas.

In some countries, people do not get presents at all. Perhaps, this is more a financial reason than traditional. In other countries, it may just be one or two gifts.

On the family level, some buy gifts for everyone, while others have a secret Santa.

So there’s not even a “Best” Christmas gift-giving instruction manual.

Yes, I’ll Be home…

And I guess, thanks to the census back then, we can consider being home for the holidays a tradition.

Can you think back to a Christmas past that does not include faithful friends or family?

Sure, the holidays can maximize the “fun” in dysfunctional families. But is it entirely the “families” fault?

Plan, schedule an hour, evening, or day to chill with family or friends. No stress, no shopping, no hashing up something that no longer matters.

Share a hot chocolate, or go for a walk. Take a drive and see if the Smiths still put up all those decorations. If you have access to a meadow, and snow, build something.

Maybe mom and dad don’t appreciate or understand you now. But don’t let this holiday pass without cherishing them.

Take this on good advice.

If you cannot be home on December 25th, have dates or tickets for the first time you can. Do not put off family or friends again this year.

You do have the time to spend together. What you don’t have is any say in how much time you have left.

Wrapping Up “Traditional” Christmas.

Give yourself a gift this Christmas. Don’t let others dictate what the best Christmas is for you.

Over the next few weeks, I will suggest some Christmas ideas. It’s up to you to make them come true.

What was your favorite pre-Christmas tradition? Do you still do that? If not, why not?

What was your favorite decoration? Where is it?

What is that one taste that makes your holiday? Who is making it this year?

Family and friends are just as important as being thankful 365 days of the year. So make sure you connect with them during this festive season.

Make sure you do one of your old Christmas traditions.

Why not start a new Christmas tradition as well?

Go out of your way to find, receive and share hope, joy, and love.

It is the first week of December; you can make this happen.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Would you please scroll down to the “Hey Explorer, what are your thoughts” section below?

Then, please comment or tell me your thoughts on: 

“What is one of your favorite traditions at Christmas?” 

Would you mind helping me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog below? – THANKS!

“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.