Ok, I’ve noticed that with the recent increase in readership of The Modern Gal, the commenting has gone down, so I’ve decided it’s time for a group activity.
Since we don’t all know one another, I think it’d be a good idea to go around the room and have each one of us say our name, where we’re fun and our favorite food.
No?
Icebreakers AND Comments?? Wow!
Ok, seriously, I’d love for everyone to share their favorite (or maybe least favorite or most unusual) holiday season tradition with everyone because I bet there are some good ones out there. And I’m not just talking Christmas, I mean whatever it is you do between Thanksgiving and say MLK day.
And who knows, I might just come up with a prize for the most creative comment, that is, if it’s something I can either do easily or for free (now isn’t that some motivation). And while you’re at it, comment on another post and vote in the poll if you watch PR. If you don’t watch it, come back next week for a different question.
I’ll go first. After we’ve eaten our dinner during a gathering, my rather large family and I engage in a round of Trivial Pursuit. It’s nearly become bloody more than once.
when I was 5 or 6 (and still believed in Santa) there was a huge ice/snow storm christmas eve…we had no power and everything was closed…everything, however, but the scattered smothered covered haven that is Waffle House…so my family and I went there to nosh on waffles and hasbrowns and who walks in but Santa Clause himself…my dad said that my eyes got as big as half dollars and he’ll never forget that look on my face. so for that reason, every years since then, my family and a following of church freinds go after the church service christmas eve for a hearty, greasy gorging in true redneck style…and you wouldn’t believe how many people crowd that place on c’mas eve.
my name is Angie, I’m from Nashville and my favorite food is probably turkey sandwhiches (pickles, peanut butter and green beans closly follow…)
Wait, there’s no Santa Claus?
Just kidding, holy crap that story is just too priceless.
I’m Noodles from the City of Big Shoulders where it snows from October through May. I can’t think of a clever holiday tradition, although I do have very traumatic childhood memories involving purported elves, pipes and confessions. But that’s for a therapist one day.
My current holiday tradition (for the few and far between holidays where I am not at the office) involves my parents visiting from the East Coast, sending me a ridiculously long shopping list of food and booze that I begrudgingly buy. And then, we plow through our stash while I refuse to change out of my jammies on Christmas Day.
Any day that has jammies, liquor and a chance to make fun of my one-drink-too-many Momma is good in my book.
Happy holidays, TMG & Co.. May yours be merry and bright.
My entire family after midnight mass on christmas eve goes back to my grandparents house and parties till 4 am. Their house is decorated top to bottom in christmas decor. My grandpa’s lights put clark griswold to shame. We eat so much food and drink even more booze, its fabulous. It is the most amazing even of the entire year. In fact the catholic church moved the service up to 11 so it would end at midnight and we (including the priest) could start the party earlier.
Now THAT is what Christmas is all about. And I respect a family that parties with their priest.
So, I’m not Catholic, but my dad’s side of the family is. This is a critical piece of info in understanding our holiday tradition: Bingo.
As a family, we gather around the tree as my dad, who ironically can’t see the numbers well AT ALL, calls a pleasant game of Bingo. Usually my grandmother provides the prize, something like $5 and a Christmas ornament. The end of this game is the beginning of the fun. Why, you ask?
Because the celebration of the birth of our Lord becomes a high-stakes cash Bingo extravaganza. The current record pot for one game was something like 50 bucks, which will be blown to smithereens this year. Instead of buying each other Christmas presents, we’re all bringing $10 bucks for the “super pot,” which will end up being close to $300 by the time we’re done.
Peace on Earth, good will to men. Next game is Four Corners! Clear your cards!
That just reminded me of the time that our Trivial Pursuit game turned into a homemade game of craps, complete with homemade craps table. At the tender young age of like 10, I was the banker.
Apprently we Catholics like to celebrate by gambling and boozing, but isn’t that what the three wise men did?
Ironically, I’m planning to bring my nearly-full-size craps set to the festivities with me. You know, just in case. Cause it would be a shame if someone suggested a craps game and there wouldn’t be a craps felt available.
Well every year on Christmas Eve my family has a special dessert after the service. It’s called “Yule” cake. (We think we are special because our last name is pronounced the same as Yule.) It is hands down the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. And since I only get it once a year it makes it that much better… Then my parents insist on lighting candles and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus while I roll my eyes at them.
My name is Heather..I lived in Nashville/Franklin for over a decade minus college and my favorite food is Cookies.
All I can think of is that on Christmas Eve we read the Grinch. This tradition didn’t start until I was in high school. And my stepdad insists on making all the voices.
Karen/KG or apparently Anonymous
KG, I was hoping you’d say our tacky Christmas light exploits were your favorite holiday tradition.
Don’t tell my stepdad but a yard full of inflatables (some that move) beats a reading of the Grinch any day. Throw in a Christmas martini and I’m all set…and of course I mean the one made of lights and the one made of liquor.
KG