Flashback Friday- Last Christmas

Dec 16, 2011 by cafebebemama

I was reminded last night how important holiday traditions are to a toddler. Last night, at dinner at the inlaws, Ella began talking about Father Christmas and how we need to leave a carrot (we had carrots as one of the veg for dinner, naturally) for Father Christmas’ reindeer. There was a heated discussion amongst the adults about what beverage should be left for Father Christmas after that (Captain Morgan’s and Coke anyone?)

Then Ella started talking about how Father Christmas puts wrapping paper on the door. How does he do that she wondered? And I remembered, on advice from some Twitter/Blogging friends, that last year we used wrapping paper to close off the door to the lounge so that Ella would have to burst through it into the lounge to get her presents. At the time, last Christmas, Ella was terrified of the prospect of breaking through the paper and what might be on the other side but it obviously stuck with her as it’s all she could talk about last night. Now I know that we simply MUST repeat this tradition again this year no matter what.

In our house, this has obviously become a tradition. Generally, we have a relatively quiet present opening on Christmas morning with just our wee family and give Ella the presents from us (I mean, Father Christmas) and assorted family from America. Then we gradually get ourselves presentable and head over to the inlaws house where more present opening will happen later in the morning. My husband’s family also has a tradition of (to me) a rather unique Christmas morning breakfast. They ALWAYS eat crumbed ham, pork pie, chutney & pickled onions and lovely rustic white farmhouse bread. They throw in the odd fried egg as well and other bits and bobs to round out the breakfast. Unfortunately, due to my coeliac disease, I can’t eat most of this but it is their tradition. I might have to bring my own gluten-free tradition from now on.

What are your traditions on Christmas? Do you have any memories from Christmas Past to share? I’m really looking forward to this year’s Christmas as it will be Sam’s first and Mark’s sister Julie and her family will be with us for what will probably be the last Christmas in a while. Also, my Mom is here from America to share the holidays with us. So this Christmas will be a special one indeed.

I’m not including a Linky for the Flashback Friday today as I’ve been off for a few weeks (thanks to having a baby and all that jazz) and I think everyone’s forgotten about Flashback Friday. However, feel free to share your holiday/Christmas memories and link back if you like. Starting in the New Year I’ll be revitalising the Flashback Friday linky so get ready for that! In the meantime, Happy Holidays!