Odd Traditions
Sunday 13th February 2011
I suspect that most families/groups/gangs – whatever – have odd traditions. When I was a child, one that my father and I had, for example, was to ‘pretend’ that we had run out of something essential, late on Christmas Eve afternoon, so we had an excuse to walk into town just as the light was fading and the shops were closing for Christmas. This was Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, a traditional market town, quite small in those days. We’d usually buy some smoked bacon from Saxby’s; or coffee beans from the deli (although we probably called it a grocers shop back then).
Hence, in my family now, we always drive to Wells on Christmas Eve and walk up the High Street, round the Cathedral Green, and back via the moat at the Bishop’s Palace, late on Christmas Eve afternoon, ending up back in the High Street to see the shops closing.
Another – rather newer – tradition, is that in February, we have a mini-Christmas Day. I started this (to the amazement of the family, who I think believed I had finally lost my mind) about 6 years ago. I do think January and February can be a dreary struggle and we all need to have happy things to do, plan, and look forward to. Our second Christmas isn’t really a big deal, we don’t decorate. But we do buy one present (secret Santa style), save a box of crackers, and – this bit is the real point – have another Christmas Dinner!
Non-Christmas traditions also abound. For example, we have to eat chocolate cake on birthdays – for breakfast (but I think a lot of people do that). I have to plant my garlic crop before Chrismas each year. Hallow’een is a Big Deal and nothing may deflect our party that night. Guy Fawlks night supper is always baked spuds, baked beans, sausages and then rubbish toffee (rubbish because I simply can’t make it work). I notice, reading this, that many of our traditional habits happen in the dark, winter months. I must be sub-conciously trying to lighten the darkness.
What odd or funny traditions do you have?
So, today is Second Christmas Day here. Dinner is roasting, table is set, it’s suitably dark and dismal outside. I make it about an hour to glass of champers time!
That is such a lovely idea. Merry Christmas to you all!
What a fantastic idea, I bet it is a lot more relaxing than the real deal.
My husband starts to tremble at the thought of ‘having’ to do something the same every year so I have to gloss over any traditions but I always read ‘Flora McFlimsey’s Christmas Eve’ to the kids on Christmas eve and even my 12 year od listened again this year. Duncan didn’t.
My tradition has got to be having fondue on Christmas Eve…..I broke this for the first time this last year but only in favour of another cheese based gourmet meal – a raclette instead so just really swapped the bread for potatoes.
Catriona, it IS more relaxing than the first Christmas Day! (though I do love Christmas) but the second time round, there is no pressure whatsoever and Sainsbury’s isn’t a war-zone…
Jean, I remember having that with you a few years ago – you all came here and you brought all the stuff with you! Yummy.
How lovely for you. My first meal of the year has to be a brunch of scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, toast and freshly brewed coffee – definately no alcohol. I have it at other times too but always on 1 January – it’s restorative if I’ve over-indulged the night before. At my lunch do yesterday I had two lovely weather-delayed Christmas presents.
I wish someone would do a second Christmas for me…I might have to suggest this to the family.