Christmas Traditions

I think everyone who loves Christmas has their own set of unique Christmas traditions that make the day the best day of the year.  Here are my traditions – some old, some new – that make Christmas so special in my household:

1. It all starts on Thanksgiving weekend.  Time to put up the tree and stockings!  I love having a full month of looking at the pretty tree before Christmas rolls around.
2. Starting around December 5th, we start watching Christmas movies.  My husband and I own at least 10 – 15 Christmas movies.  Early December we break them out and start watching them.  My favorites are: Christmas Story, One Magic Christmas, Home Alone & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. 
3. Drive around and look at Christmas lights.  This is a special one my husband and I created.  We like to go to Rhema church and look at the lights or drive around well to do neighborhoods.  It is fun and always a favorite night of ours to spend together.
4. Next is at least one to two sessions of baking cookies with the husband.  He is quite the baker, and we love to make: snowballs, chocolate chunk, peppermint canes, haystacks, and peanut butter cookies.
5. I get to open one present on Christmas eve.  Only one.  It all started with my grandparents when I was a child.  I got a Christmas card from them every year, with cash in it, and would get to open it on Christmas eve.  Now I typically get to open one small gift from my husband.
6. Since I married my husband, we have made a tradition of having special seafood on Christmas Eve.  Typically we have champagne with scallops, shrimp and sometimes crab legs.  It is heavenly!
7. Always start with the stocking Christmas morning.  That was the first stop on Christmas morning.  It was so wonderful to open the stuffing stuffed with candy and trinkets and never knowing what I would find in there.
8. After stockings comes the presents!  My husband and I like to take turns opening our gifts, and also take our time.
9. After presents is a big brunch of pancakes, bacon, eggs, mimosas and whatever else our little hearts desire!
10. Later in the day is meet with the family for a delicious ham dinner!

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How you can help children of incarcerated parents during the holidays

(ARA) – Drug abuse. Divorce. Homelessness. Imprisonment. Little Forrest has witnessed them all. With his father in prison and his mom lost in a haze of drug abuse, Forrest’s maternal grandparents took custody of him when he was just 2 years old. For Forrest, his dad’s prison sentence seemed like a punishment for him, too.

Due to his difficult start in life, Forrest had many behavioral issues, so his grandparents worked hard every day to provide him with love and stability he needed. But as Christmas neared, Forrest’s grandmother Bonnie began to worry. If Forrest’s mom didn’t visit, or his dad didn’t call, Forrest’s behavior would regress.

Forrest’s struggles are not uncommon. One in three prisoners is a parent, and about 75 percent of women in prison are mothers. One in every 43 children has a parent in prison, which means more than 1.7 million children will spend Christmas separated from their incarcerated mom or dad.

“Every time a parent goes to prison, their sentence is also a form of punishment for their children. These kids don’t necessarily understand why their parents are not with them for the holidays. They only want to be with their parents, and to feel their parents’ love, just as any other child would during this special time of year,” says Jim Liske, CEO of Prison Fellowship, a nonprofit organization that helps inmate rehabilitation.

Children whose parents are serving time struggle every day with feelings of anger, abandonment, loneliness and despair. But a simple Christmas gift from their incarcerated parent can show a hurting child that they are still loved, and that the parent-child connection can survive the separation of imprisonment.

Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree is a unique program that works by connecting parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts. At such a critical time in Forrest’s journey, Angel Tree connected him with his father – helping to make sure that he stayed on a path toward healing and stability.

“We got a call that Forrest’s dad was sending Christmas gifts through Angel Tree,” Bonnie says. “It was just so nice to have people supporting us.”

Today, Forrest’s mother is working on turning her life around and restoring her relationship with her son. Forrest’s dad will be released from prison soon. He, too, has vowed to turn his life around and be a faithful father.

Support Angel Tree by “liking” Angel Tree on Facebook. You can even give a secure gift through the charity’s official website at www.angeltree.org. Just $12.58 will help deliver a Christmas present to not one, but two lonely children thanks to a matching grant.

Your generosity makes it possible for children like Forrest to feel remembered and loved this holiday season. Make a difference in the life of a child by giving them an unforgettable Christmas filled with joy and hope.

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Making the most of your holiday celebrations

(ARA) – As 2011 begins to wind down, the hectic holiday season is only getting started. It is important to remember that the beginning of winter means more than just presents and Black Friday – it’s about kicking back and celebrating family, friends and good food.

This time tends to be packed with fun and holiday cheer, but the last thing you want is to be partied out too early. Pacing yourself and not getting overwhelmed by the endless gatherings (and dessert trays) is essential. Here are a few easy tips to help make sure that you’re enjoying this season to the fullest and truly celebrating a great year:

* Make everything a memory: We all know that cleaning, cooking and decorating can be a chore, but by throwing on some music and making it a group or family activity, these can easily become some of your fondest holiday memories.

* Try not to overbook: One of the most stressful dangers of the holidays is committing to too many parties. Keep a calendar and be honest with yourself-there’s no need to make every celebration if you aren’t going to enjoy them.

* Keep it simple: Not a chef? Don’t sweat it. Pick a simple, signature dish for the season and stick to it. Make a fruit salad or bake your favorite kind of cookies so you’re not stressing about what to bring before every party.

* Come prepared: We all say we’re going to watch ourselves when it comes to eating this time of year, but the madness of the season makes “over-celebrating” an all-too-common occurrence. If for some reason the cranberry mold and side dishes get the best of you, make sure you have Pepto-Bismol on hand to keep you covered (use as directed) and trucking through the holidays.

* Click to show you care: Sometimes, the best way to maintain composure during this time of year is to take a step back, appreciate all that you have and pay it forward. Did you know that helping others could be as simple as “liking” a photo on Facebook? Pepto-Bismol always has people’s backs if they overdo it at Thanksgiving, but this year, it wants to also cover those less fortunate. With your help, the brand will help donate 2 million meals through Feeding America. By logging on to www.facebook.com/peptobismol and “liking” the picture of a turkey made by Eric Stonestreet, you will help provide eight meals to people in need this winter. Giving thanks has never been easier.

Before you get swept away by turkeys, decorations and parties, remember all that that the holiday season is truly about: celebrating with loved ones and reflecting on a year full of memories. These simple suggestions will help you keep the energy high and the stress low during these cold, yet heartwarming, months.

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Swiss Colony

When I was growing up I looked forward to my mother ordering big boxes of Swiss Colony.  Meats, cheeses and especially, the petite fours delivered to my door before the big day.  Since I’ve grown up and now have a family of my own I think my palate has changed a bit.  I’m not sure why, it just doesn’t taste the same as when I was growing up.  Don’t get me wrong, it is still delicious, just different!

Swiss Colony has been a family owned and operated business since 1926, founded in Monroe, Wisconsin.  Once only a mail-order operation it is now on the world wide web to order from as well.  The company offers not only a plethora of edible delights but furniture, home decor, apparel and entertainment products as well.

Although Swiss Colony offers lots of other products besides food they are must known for cheese, sausage, chocolate and fruit cake.  I can say I have all of those, except the fruit cake.  My favorite meat is the summer sausage and again, I’m all about the petite fours.

Swiss Colony is also a good idea for those looking for a quick and easy way of Holiday entertaining.  Sampler packs full of options from sweet to savory are just a click away and can be delivered to your door step in just a few days.  So if you’re looking to start your own holiday memories, or rekindle the ones from the past, Swiss Colony may be what you’re looking for.

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Tips for creating meaningful new holiday traditions

(ARA) – Holidays are a great time to celebrate traditions with family and friends, and every family has unique activities they love to observe year after year. You can incorporate new traditions into the holidays to bring more memorable fun to your gatherings. Here are some simple tips for creating meaningful new traditions that can bring joy to your holidays every year.

* Organize a visit from Santa. Encourage your family or friends to come over for a potluck breakfast or lunch. As the festivities get into full swing, invite Santa to join in the fun. Organize goodie bags for children to take home from Santa. Don’t forget to have a camera on hand to capture the children’s special moments.

* Build a gingerbread house with your family. Roll up your sleeves, start your oven and put your architecture skills to the test. Decorate the house with each family member’s favorite candies in all colors. Adorn the lawn with Archway Gingerbread Men, which can be easily decorated with icing and candy buttons.

* Draw names and trade inexpensive gifts. You can turn this into a secret Santa exchange, or for a little more fun and hilarity, turn the exchange into a white elephant party, where participants are allowed to “steal” inexpensive gifts from one another. Your party doesn’t have to only involve your local friends and family. Invite your friends from all over the country to participate in a gift exchange via Skype or email – it’s a great way to have something fun pop up in your mailbox over the holiday season.

* Cookies are a part of many holiday traditions. In fact, a recent holiday survey conducted by Archway found that cookies are a part of more than 80 percent of respondents’ traditions each year. Incorporate cookies into new traditions by hosting a cookie exchange with your coworkers, neighbors, family members or friends. Use a mix of homemade and favorite Archway holiday cookies such as Bells and Stars, which are back by popular demand for the 2011 holiday season.

* Give back to your community. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. Sing holiday carols in nursing homes and senior centers. Organize a food drive for your local food bank. Have young children go through their toys and pick one or two to donate to a local shelter. This will help children participate in the joy of giving. There are a lot of ways you and your family can help others. You might decide to do the same thing each year or come up with new ways to give back.

* Create a video or online photo album. This tradition is especially poignant for families with loved ones who are away for the season and unable to attend the family celebrations (for example, families with someone in the military). Set up a video camera and have everyone share a message for the absent loved one. Take lots of photos during your holiday celebrations and create a photo album online that can be accessed by those who are not present.

Traditions help provide connection and predictability, which people – especially children – crave. And they’re a lot of fun. Just remember that whatever you decide to do, be sure to add your own flair and creativity to make the tradition truly one to remember.

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Creative ways to preserve family recipes and traditions

(ARA) – Whether families are around the corner or across the country, special memories and cherished traditions bring them together. From cooking favorite dishes to re-telling classic family stories, it’s important to keep those traditions alive.

Everyone has a favorite recipe they look forward to enjoying at family gatherings. The smell and taste of a special dish can evoke memories from the past or create new ones for younger generations. To preserve your family’s special recipes and traditions for generations to come, consider these easy and fun ideas:

Create a family cookbook
A cookbook full of special family recipes is a wonderful keepsake, and creating your own has never been easier, with a variety of affordable printing and scrapbooking tools available. Ask each family member to share a favorite recipe for inclusion. Make the book more personal by having each person write a memory that is tied to the recipe or include favorite family photos. You can also capture step-by-step photos of the recipe preparation and finished product, so the next time that you or a distant relative cook the dish, the recipe will yield the perfect result.

Declare official “just for the holidays” recipes
Make your grandmother’s famous apple pie the official dessert for Thanksgiving, or cook your dad’s special banana pancakes every Christmas Eve morning. Tying recipes to a specific holiday helps build traditions and excitement so family members can look forward to enjoying their favorite dishes.

Host a family cooking party
What better way to preserve family meals than to plan a family cooking party? Gather the entire family and work together to prepare several special dishes. Assign each family member a role to ensure that everyone is involved. Not only will you be working together, but everyone will learn to prepare the recipe themselves.

Make inherited recipes your own
Adding your own twist to a family favorite can keep recipes alive for future generations. Modernizing a passed-down dish can also make it more accessible and convenient. Try updating your grandfather’s legendary strudel with apple butter you can buy at the store instead of homemade or grill something that is traditionally prepared in the oven.

There’s truly something exceptional about celebrating a cherished family recipe. This fall, the makers of Smucker’s(R) jams, jellies, preserves and fruit butters invite families to share special recipes and stories in the fourth annual Spreading Smucker’s Traditions Recipe and Essay Contest, for the chance to win $20,000 toward a dream family reunion.

From Sept. 14 to Nov.16, you can share an original family recipe on www.Smuckers.com. Your recipe must incorporate at least 1/4 cup of Smucker’s jam, jelly, preserves or fruit butter and should be submitted along with an original essay of 200 words or less about how the recipe is part of family traditions and how it makes your family celebrations special.

Contest open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years and older. Complete Official Rules available on www.smuckers.com. Void where prohibited.

Last year’s winning recipe has been passed down for three generations, and is a family favorite at Easter gatherings:

Slow Cooker Marmalade Pork Tenderloin
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Makes: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
3 pounds boneless pork tenderloin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Crisco(R) Pure Olive Oil
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1 (12 oz.) jar Smucker’s(R) Sweet Orange Marmalade
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
1. Season the roast with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the roast on all sides. Transfer meat to slow cooker, add sliced onion, cover and cook on high about three to four hours.

2. Heat teriyaki sauce, marmalade, ginger, brown sugar and garlic in a small sauce pan on medium until sauce simmers. Cook until smooth and bubbly, stirring constantly.

3. Remove meat from slow cooker, let rest for 10 minutes; slice and arrange on serving platter. Drizzle roast slices with 3/4 cup of sauce, garnish with cooked onion slices and serve with remaining sauce.

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Teach children about the holiday spirit

“What would you like for Christmas?” This question, whether it comes from Grandma or the jolly man in red, seems easy enough. But as the options multiply and the shopping frenzy escalates, the answer becomes more and more complicated… and expensive! It is important to help children put the holiday season into perspective.

Parents should take a look at how they are spending money and time this holiday season. If their list is more about expensive gifts, party clothes and concerts. Think about deliberately cutting something back.

Make time for the pleasures of family this Christmas: skating on an outdoor rink, baking and decorating Christmas cookies, driving around town to look at Christmas decorations, or, calling a snow day and staying home for a movie marathon. This creates traditions that children will remember.

Helping somebody less fortunate is an important reality check for the whole family. One Canadian family uses the World Vision Gift Catalogue (worldvision.ca/gifts) to help a child in need. “We give each of our children some money to choose a gift from the catalogue,” says Lucie, of Montreal. “They not only practice an act of kindness, but they learn about how other children live. It helps them appreciate everything they’ve got.”

Great holiday ideas are habit-forming. So why just save them for the holidays? Going easy on the expenses, investing in fun family time, and remembering people who are less fortunate are lifestyle choices.

www.newscanada.com

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There’s a tradition of sorts every Christmas Eve/Day, in which TBS airs the classic comedy A Christmas Story starting at 8/7c on Christmas Eve and then back to back for 24 hours straight.

The film, which is celebrating 25 years since its release in 1983, stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin and Ian Petrella as the Parker family, and is an adaptation of the Jean Shepherd story about a little boy’s efforts to receive a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas.

Who can forget classic lines like, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” and “You used up all the glue on purpose!” and “He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny!”

So sit back, relax and catch the flick. Whether it’s your first time seeing A Christmas Story, or your fiftieth, laughs and good times are virtually guaranteed.

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I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. – Charles Dickens.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring-not even a mouse:
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. – Clement C. Moore

At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year. – Thomas Tusser

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Tune in to NBC tonight, December 3, from 8-9 p.m. ET/PT for a dazzling display of musical talent and the lighting of the world’s most famous Christmas tree during the 11th annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” telecast.

Hosted by Al Roker (“Today”), the star-studded annual tree lighting extravaganza features Beyoncé, Tony Bennett, Neil Boyd, Jonas Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., David Cook, Rosie O’Donnell and The Broadway Kids, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, and Solange Knowles performing current hits and holiday classics from Rockefeller Center in New York City.

NBC’s New York flagship station WNBC, and the NBC Hartford station WVIT, will both broadcast an additional live hour of the special locally from 7-8 p.m. prior to the start of the network broadcast.

The tradition of the Rockefeller Christmas tree dates back to the Great Depression in 1933, when the first tree was decked with 700 lights and placed in front of the then eight-month-old RCA Building, now the GE Building. The Christmas tree gathering was enhanced in 1936 with the opening of the Rockefeller Plaza outdoor ice-skating pond. NBC-TV televised the first tree lighting in 1951 on “The Kate Smith Show” and as part of the nationwide “Howdy Doody” television show from 1953-55.

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