Tales Holiday Traditions
Thursday, November 13, 2008
This post is inspired by MomDot and brought to you by LaPlates, Lets Go Strolling and Natitys Design.
When you get married, it can be HARD to let go of the family traditions you shared with your family and instead adopt or compromise with new family traditions. But I almost think it is a necessity to survive and to keep your marriage healthy. And honestly, once the kids come it is even easier to just create traditions that better fit your new life!
So here are the Tale's Thanksgiving and Christmas Traditions.
THANKSGIVING:
If we go to my mom's, I make that sweet potato and marshmallow casserole. I also make cheesy cauliflower and heat up some peas. My husband has to have his peas, and these are not foods my family traditionally has. Then the family gets together at my parent's house. We laugh, drink and play outside. We watch the Macy's Day Parade too!
If we go to the In-Laws I make coquito to hide in the fridge in the garage. I also make sweet potato pie, since that is something the in-laws don't make but I love. Then it's the same with games, chatter and a more formal dinner.
CHRISTMAS:
1. Black Friday: Last year we bought a fake tree, because none of the lots had trees I liked. I love that tree! So this year we will take it out of the attic after Thanksgiving dinner and I will drink coquito, play Christmas music and decorate it. I'll also put up the stockings and Kevin will put the lights up over the weekend.
2. Christmas Eve: On Christmas Eve we go to mass with my family. Afterwards,we will go home, watch a Muppets Christmas Carol and bake LOTS of cookies for Santa and the family. Chocolate chip are what we leave for Santa. Sugar cookies for decorating. And mantecaditos because they are just YUMMY and pretty. The kids will go to bed, probably late. And then SANTA COMES!
3. Christmas morning: In the morning we wake up and eat a yummy, sweet breakfast and the kids open gifts. We take our time and enjoy the moments. And LOTS of pictures. Then we visit family. This year we go to my in-laws, where they will have a formal dinner and ham. At my family's house it is a little more chaotic, but still lots of fun!
So that is our tradition, which can always evolve to make the memories bigger and brighter during this wonderful time of year.
13/11/08 9:04 AM
Glad to see you joined! What a beautiful family picture! How do you get one of those!!? lol
13/11/08 9:13 AM
Your family is cute and so are your traditions!
13/11/08 9:40 AM
Thought i'd share our Christmas family tradition...My husband's family has their BIG Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve night, so we have dinner there. And my family celebrates on Christmas day, so it works out perfect where we get to see both sides of the family during this one holdiday. On Christmas day we go to morning mass and then open presents at home and have dinner. Always LOTS of fun :)
13/11/08 9:51 AM
Okay, so I think my hubby may stalk you on Thankgiving, he loves that casserole and I never make it. Secondly, LOVE the muppets! Great traditions! Here's My Day 2! I have Mr. Linky up, so leave your link!
13/11/08 9:53 AM
I enjoyed reading about your traditions. What is coquito? I know it is a drink but what is in it?
13/11/08 9:54 AM
We always watch Macy's parade too. Would love to see it in person someday.
13/11/08 10:06 AM
Erin: You should explain to the non-Boricuas out there what coquito is (!que sabrosa!" and "Mantecaditos" (deliciosos). Because I am not sure it can be properly appreciated without knowing the true essence of these delicious must-haves you make. Maybe you should post the recipes closer to the holidays?!?!???
13/11/08 10:09 AM
It can be tough to balance the traditions once you get married. Of course my family celebrates the right way and my hubby's family is just crazy. :) I love that you heat up peas especially for your hubby!
13/11/08 10:11 AM
What, no shopping on Black Friday? I do like the idea of using that day to get the tree and decorate it though.
13/11/08 10:17 AM
Love your traditions. I might adapt the one of yours of putting the tree up Thanksgiving night with music and a cocktail!!!! That sounds fun!!!
13/11/08 10:20 AM
I really need to know what a coquito is! No black friday shopping here either. We spend the day decorating the tree!
13/11/08 10:25 AM
renee - coquito is a puerto rican eggnog. so much yummier than other eggnogs.
13/11/08 10:27 AM
Yes, Swamp Suzie! I will post the recipe for Mantecaditos too. :)
Coquito - even if I follow the directions - it tastes better when grandma (mama) does it.
13/11/08 10:33 AM
Now I'm so hungry! Everything sounds so yummy!
13/11/08 11:14 AM
That is a great picture of your family!
Sounds like your holidays are packed full of wonderful traditions! Thanks for sharing :)
Jesica - www.mycompletechaos.com
13/11/08 11:16 AM
Your post is making me very hunger. We also do ham at Christmas - yum. It's not just for Easter you know.
13/11/08 11:31 AM
Yes you do have to compromise. This is our first year as a family for Christmas (well we were together last year but not married)and it is hard to decide what you are going to do without hurting anyones feelings. I am being selfish this year and managed to pursuade my husband to stay in our new location. If they want to come to us so be it, but I am not going anywhere this year!
13/11/08 11:35 AM
Great traditions!
13/11/08 11:46 AM
Don't tell hubby but if my allergies keep acting up during Christmas he may have to give up his real tree for an artificial! I'm a little sad about it myself so maybe it's time to buy stock on the makers of Claritin!
13/11/08 12:04 PM
Can't go wrong with the Macy's Day parade!
13/11/08 12:23 PM
Cute family picture! Thanks for sharing your traditions! Happy Holidays
13/11/08 12:39 PM
Funny. My mom and eldest son "have" to have brussel sprouts on Thanksgiving. :)
13/11/08 12:41 PM
We watch the parade also... My DH hates watching it... but I always make him! LOL
13/11/08 1:43 PM
Great traditions!
13/11/08 1:49 PM
Glad to read your traditions. :) Sounds like you have more fun at your parents than the inlaws.. LOL
13/11/08 2:05 PM
I agree...it's very hard to let go of old family traditions and start your own!! And yes...much better when you have children!
13/11/08 2:05 PM
I love that your husband has to have his peas!!! Cute!
You have a beautiful family
13/11/08 2:55 PM
Love the picture.
What are mantecaditos?
13/11/08 3:07 PM
I think you need to post those recipes!!!
Cute picture!
13/11/08 3:36 PM
We also got a fake tree last year, but I've never put it up before, so we'll see how it turns out! It's supposed to be a big nice one, but it was just given to us, so we hope all the pieces are there!
13/11/08 4:52 PM
Sweet potato and Marshmellows
13/11/08 9:15 PM
I'd love a real tree, but I don't think I'm brave enough with a baby and 2 dogs in the house. The dogs did fine with the fake tree last year though!
14/11/08 1:09 AM
Lots of cookies and staying up late is always fun.