This year, in preparation for Christmas and as a school assignment, Liara and I researched the origins of our modern Christmas traditions. We discovered the roots, both pagan and Christian, of traditions such as decorating an evergreen tree, setting up lights and candles, the giving of gifts, feasting on Christmas day and, of course, the true nature of St. Nicholas. I greatly enjoyed this exercise because it helped me gain a better understanding and appreciation for our traditions. I also realized that many of the simple things that I often take for granted because we do them every year have deep significance and, in some cases, thousands of years of history behind them. I found it beneficial to put things into perspective at Christmas time.
Christmas Eve celebrations were held at our house. Grandma, Grandpa, Rob, Bonnie and Ryan all came over in the evening to visit and eat. We had every kind of finger food imaginable. Dips, cheeses, crackers, cookies, summer sausage, brownies, pastrami and a delicious trifle that Grandma made sat out on out kitchen table. Everyone ate till they could hold no more. Most years there is a small present for each of us kids to open on Christmas Eve. This year all our gifts were big and so, despite our pleading, mom insisted that we wait till the next day (except me, 'cause I'm special and Liara was just dying to show me my gift from mom and dad. My present was the beautiful Van Gough painting "Irises." It is now hanging in my room where I can see it always.)
The next day, as it so happened, came a little earlier than desired. Too excited to sleep, Maya woke up at about four in the morning and then woke Liara and I up a little closer to five. Liara was awake at once. I, on the other hand, kept insisting I was getting up and then falling back asleep. At about 5:30 the girls were fed up with me and proceeded to tickle me and steal blankets in an attempt to get me up. With much mumbling and whining they eventually got me out of bed. Stockings were very fun. I am almost done with all my candy and I bought a Beethoven album with the itunes gift card. After the thrill of the stockings started to wear off Liara started saying things like, "It is too early. I think I'm gonna die." Regardless of how much I agreed with these statements they did make her easy to mock.
Linda came over at about 8:30 and had breakfast with us. She gave each of us a Ross gift card and made plans for when we could go shopping together. In our family everyone draws names for who they will give gifts to. That way instead of everyone getting lots of cheap gifts they get a few really nice gifts. Liara and dad had each other and I had mom. Maya and myself were given gifts by extended family. I think I got mom a great present. It was a handcrafted pen from Pike's Place Market.
That afternoon everyone went to Jessie and Joe's house for the big dinner and to exchange the rest of the gifts. Jessie had my name and she gave me the cutest sweater and an outfit to match. The sweater is soft and gray with a big fashionable button in front. This was a big gift card year and a lot were exchanged. Other gifts people gave each other were chocolate, jewelry, food storage and clothes. Ryan gave Rob an ipod. Dinner worked really well this year. Each family made something for it so there was no single person being landed with all of it. It was delicious!! Everything was great. There was room for all to sit comfortably and people were genuinely happy to be around each other. It was fun and it felt good for us all to be together.
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