“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.”
Every year I stay with my parents on Christmas eve, even when I was away at college or when I have lived in my own apartment. It just doesn’t feel like Christmas eve without Mom’s Christmas cookies, classic movies, and most importantly being surrounded by family. My favorite holiday tradition is our Christmas Morning routine.
Each Christmas starts just as the last, we all mosey downstairs to the living room. Coffee is made and the smell fills the air. Then begins the time-honored tradition of Christmas movies, starting with Christmas Vacation. Christmas Vacation is the go to movie for my family on Christmas day. It never fails to remind us all of the importance of the day while giving us a good laugh. You really can’t help but laugh at Eddie, the cousin who is just a bit unusual; lets be honest here, we all have that one family member who is a bit out there but you still love them no less.
That being said we can all relate to Clark Griswold, the main character. Clark seems to never catch a break throughout the entire “Christmas vacation,” he deals with family disputes, work frustrations and rude neighbors. We can laugh about these moments because most of us have been there, but no moment through out the movie makes us laugh as hard as Clark’s rant. If you have seen this movie, you will know exactly to what I am referencing. (If you don’t know what I am talking about or haven’t seen this movie you need to sit down NOW, watch and prepare for a good laugh!)
Once this movie has concluded we proceed to breakfast. Breakfast each year, without fail, is a family recipe named “Chipped Beef.” This dish starts out by sautéing dried beef in butter, add a little flour and milk then begin to stir until a gravy forms. From there all you have to do is add some diced boiled eggs, and a bit of salt and pepper. To serve, you ladle the gravy mixture over cut up toast and voila! It is so simple yet so delicious, and a Christmas tradition.
After all have cleaned their plates it’s time for presents! This is one of my favorite parts of Christmas because I put a great deal of thought into my gifts. I love to see each family member’s reaction when they open my gift.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and get to spend the holiday with your loved ones! Let me know in the comments what your favorite Christmas traditions are!
