Thank you for sharing your memories and traditions. Here are some of the latest I received.
Shared Memories and Traditions
From Ghislaine – Réveillon and Midnight Mass
One of my favourite memories of Christmas traditions in my youth was the Réveillon. The entire family would attend Midnight Christmas mass on Christmas Eve and return home to eat delicious meat pies. Then the children would be permitted to open one gift.
From Gerry – The Jockstrap
I remember one year when I got a full outfit of hockey gear for Christmas. I was so excited to open that big box from Sears. It had EVERYTHING I needed – shoulder pads, knee pads, elbow pads, helmet, gloves, face mask, socks, pants, suspenders …
Everything EXCEPT a jockstrap
We searched that box about 20 times but a jockstrap was nowhere to be found. Then I noticed that the box seemed to be bigger on the outside than it did on the inside so, of course, this meant a mystery to be solved. We found a false bottom! It was so exciting I was almost shaking. And, then, we found it … a fur coat! We couldn’t believe our eyes – some jockstrap. Mom tried it on and it fitted perfectly. It was almost like it was meant to be.
My parents were too honest to keep the coat so it was bundled up and sent back to Sears with an explanation of how we’d discovered it. The box seemed to be about the size that would hold about 3 fur coats in total. We figured it must have been part of a shipment of coats for Sears and when it was being unpacked, one layer was missed. Not noticing it, the people filling the catalogue orders must have used that box for my hockey equipment.
Well, let me tell you, the missing jockstrap was the best Christmas present I could have gotten that year. The coat was worn for not much more than a half an hour before it went back in the box for return but it gave many hours of laughter and family fun as the story was told over an over again throughout the years.
From Cindy – Christmas Dinner
My favourite Christmas tradition is going to my sister’s for Christmas Dinner. Her home is so warm and inviting year round but at Christmas it is even more so. She prepares a feast fit for kings – Newfoundland style. There’s turkey, salt meat, onion pudding, carrot, potatoes, turnip, peas pudding and gravy, topped off with a delicious desert. But best of all is sharing time with her and her family.
From Susan – Serving at the Shelter
Every Christmas morning after breakfast, we head off to the homeless shelter to help serve Christmas dinner. It is my favourite part of the whole holidays. Though it doesn’t seem like much, it feels good to know that the people at the shelter share a hot meal and a few hours of warmth. If only they did not have to go back out in the cold it would be wonderful.
From Alice – Seeing the Christmas Lights
Every year I look forward to driving around the city to see the Christmas lights. It is so beautiful. I usually try to wait for a light snowfall – that is when it is prettiest.
From Kaitlyn – Christmas Eve
What I love most is going to church on Christmas Eve. It is the singing that I like most of all.
Then after the service we head back home where my brother, little sister and I perform our Christmas Concert for the family. We do it all ourselves. There are weeks of writing and practicing which is so much fun.
Mom, Dad and Nan are not allowed to look or listen UNTIL the big night.
