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H O L I D A Y T R A D I T I O N S
W e h a v e th e a n n u a l C h r is tm a s tr e e h u n t F a m ily a n d fr ie n d s
g e t to g e th e r a t a c u t-y o u r -o w n tre e p la c e . S o m e p e o p le w a n t
th e b ig g e s t s o m e th e C h a rlie B r o w n tree, o th e r s n e e d
“s k in n y " f o r s m a ll sp a c e s. W h e n fin is h e d w e ta k e a g r o u p
p ic tu r e . H a r d to b e lie v e th is w ill b e o u r 2 3 r d tim e !
M ary Kubicek, M ilw aukee, Wl
I MARRIED MY HUSBAND (and his
four beautiful kids) in 2 0 0 5 . W e’ve
started new traditions to go along
with our new family. On Christmas
Eve everyone opens a package of
new m atching pajamas. We w ear
them to bed that night and stay in
them all day on Christm as Day.
A nother tradition is our Annual
Christm as Eve Talent Show. W e’ve
had flute solos, singing, plays, and
comedy acts. It’s sw eet and funny.
Elizabeth Shier, Fort W orth, TX
MY
wife
AND l go on w hat we call
a “sleigh ride.” In Arkansas the
w inters are pretty mild, and there’s
usually a good night to bundle up, put
the top dow n on the convertible, and
ride around looking at holiday lights,
playing Christm as music, and
sipping cocoa or cappuccinos.
Bryan Stell, Conway, AR
I STARTED A TRADITION
18 years ago
w ith my first son and have continued
it every year w ith all three of my
boys. I buy them each a H allm ark
ornam ent representing that year. I
w rap them , and w hen they open
them they place them on the tree.
Carla Paum en, C learw ater, MN
MY DAUGHTER AND I celebrate the
Big Girls’ Christm as Party. W hen we
began this, our family was young, so
we decided you had to be a BIG girl
(at least 3 years old) to attend. My
mom, sisters, nieces, and sisters-in-
law attended. Each year there’s a new
them e—a night at the movies, indoor
swimming, or a cookie exchange.
Ann P arad o sk i,v ia e-m ail
WHENEVER SOMEONE ASKS US about
our traditions, we tell them about
sleeping under the Christm as tree,
som ething w e’ve done for 20 years.
T heir response is usually, “W e’re
going to do that this year!”
N ita S m art Facer, La C anada, CA
WHEN MY FAMILY couldn’t find a
restau ran t open after a candlelight
service, w e started our C hristm as
Eve pancake get-together. People
drop in and hang around until
m idnight. I t’s ju st pancakes, bacon,
sausage, and breakfast drinks.
Carol S ease, G ilbert, SC
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE our family
attends a candlelight service at
5 p.m. A fter th e service w e com e
hom e, start the fire in the fireplace,
roast hot dogs and m arshm allow s,
spread out the blankets, and have a
picnic in the family room . W e end
the evening playing games and
sharing past Christmas memories.
Vicki W hitaker, C ynthiana, KY
we
have
“
limo
night
.” We meet
at a party room at Pizza Hut, place
our order before leaving, and return
to piping-hot pizzas. When we step
inside the limo, we’re all kids again.
Sue Fone, Lincoln, CA
WE’RE AN eclectic gToup: step-
daughter, son, grandparents, aunts,
uncles, nephews, ex-husband,
American, and first-generation
French and German. Decorating is
carried through every room; each has
its own themed Christmas tree. One
is never sure what impact our efforts
have on our family. I was pleased
one day when my step-daughter
mentioned that her most treasured
memories of childhood were times
spent with us during the holidays.
D eborah H oertel M asgrau,
via e-m ail
To our readers:
Directions for the
Butternut Squash Bake on
page 216
o f
the October issue were incomplete.
Step 3 should say: Add noodles and
squash to shallot mixture.
M ORE AT
BHG.COM
^
For more great holiday
►
traditions from readers,go
V/
to BHG.com/talktous
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