Christmas Traditions

by Kay Heitsch

Traditions are kept alive only by something being added to it. ~ Keeping Traditions Alive

I like to keep Christmas traditions alive. I enjoy making the same things and using some of the same decorations. We even have a memory tree where I hang old ornaments from Christmas pasts.

A few years back, we added buying funny gifts. Our kids have kept that tradition going. These gag gifts bring a lot of laughs.

We usually go to church on Christmas Eve and watch Eli in the Christmas program. However, because of the pandemic, the church recorded the children performing the program outside, with masks on. On Christmas Eve, we watched the program on TV. This was different, but we all clapped after Eli did his number, as if we were sitting in church.

One of our traditions is to eat at Bob Evan's on Christmas Eve. Eli always orders the Little Piggy Pancakes. A few years ago, the waitress came to take his order. Without missing a beat, Eli told the waitress he would be having his usual. The waitress smiled and replied, "Oh, that would be the Little Piggy Pancakes?" Eli nodded, yes. We all laughed and still talk about it.

This year Eli had his usual Little Piggy Pancakes. However, the guys decided to all order the Whole Hog Breakfast. I'm not so sure this will be an added Christmas Eve tradition, but you never know.

The snow was falling fast and furious this year while we ate at Bob Evan's. Since it was very treacherous driving, Brandon left his sports car at Joe and Shannon's and drove their SUV home. We're hoping this won't be a new tradition.

Christmas day, we all opened gifts, and Joe and Shannon made their traditional breakfast with Wisconsin Kringle. Wisconsin Kringle has become an added tradition to our Christmas celebration after their vacation to Wisconsin a few years back.

A wonderful new addition was to have Veronica to our Christmas celebration. We were happy that she was able to be with us this year. We are looking forward to having her with us for years to come.

To keep everything in perspective, Noah wanted to know why Papa didn't have any fat on him as Ooma did. Looks like a diet will be starting soon for me.

Christmas traditions are only kept alive by something being added to them.