Changes in Lattitude 2

Christmas of my childhood>
When I was a child christmas was mysterious anticipation surrounding Santa Claus bringing gifts.(marking the Eaton's catalogue) We watched the christmas specials on TV. They seemed more special because they were not available all year. Mid night mass with my Aunty Joan and cousins we squirmed in excitement in the pew. We baked cookies with my mom and decorated the house. My mother started a tradition of making a marzipan ring tree after her friend in Germany passed on the recipe. She also made traditional Trinidad & Tobago christmas black cake.(soaked in rum before and after it was cooked) We dressed up for many parties at home and visiting family friends. We always went to company children's parties. Once a magician poured milk out of my sister elbow. We always went to the Rotary Club children's party. We dressed up for Christmas dinner and were allowed to eat in the dining room at the big table, the special plates, a glass of wine.(feeling very grown up) Christmas morning we had a light breakfast and then went to church(before opening gifts) After we had a really big breakfast - Sausages Back bacon,eggs, fruit, bread or pancakes. Then we opened gifts.
Christmas with my Young children>
The fun of visiting the mall Santa, sitting on his knee, tell that one special gift that is at the top of their list. We enjoyed going to breakfast with Santa at the community centers where I worked. I treasure the time I organized a christmas nativity play. (Cheryl was Mary) The chaos behind the scene makes me LOL today. I loved the school christmas concerts they were in. We had big informal Trinidadian family parties, with many turkeys and a few hams.(must have pineapple and cherries on top) A few christmas black cakes. (not all soaked in rum) Someone would make soursop, macaroni pie and another would make punch a crema - eggnog with rum of course!
The cousins would run all over and all night long the older ones taking care of the younger ones. Then the holiday movies are put on and the little ones would fall asleep with their blankies. The older ones played nintendo all night. That's nintendo original. I always enjoyed making gifts and ornaments with my children. Our christmas dinner at home was made by each of us taking responsibility for a dish, even when they were very young. A fun time was choosing a name for our turkey and choosing one of the children to give the turkey a special bath and then rubbed down with an assortment of seasonings.
Christmas eve we spent at home and would invite neighbours to drop in. (I needed to stay home and finish wrapping or putting some toy together) The kids would put out a snack(left overs) for Santa and a cup of eggnog or ginger beer. (Santa did not like cookies and milk by time he came to our house) we sent them to bed early hoping they would sleep. In the morning they woke up squeeling - allowed to open their stocking only - so we could stay in bed longer. Did not really work all the time. We would open gifts then eat our enormous breakfast together and then start to cook christmas dinner together and then...While stuffed the children would play and the parents would nap.
Christmas with my grandchildren>
Christmas with grandchildren has only begun to develop. I have a new generation of gift makers. Last year the two older ones made paintings, that included their foot prints. We have trips together to visit great grandma. We still each make a part of the meal. I think we have forgotten to name the turkey and give it a bath. A few years in a row we have played Settlera of Catan.(all night too) I'm now enjoying christmas shows at church with Evan and Arrianna and keshaun too. This year was the first school christmas concert and it was nice to see. I enjoyed Arrianna's ballet open house too. Making special memories together sharing agape style- that's what it's all about!
Christmas this year with my cousins,their families my family and their families > reconecting, catching up, making memories!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT