I'm reminiscing more and more as the years go by. I remember cold, Chicago or Wisconsin winters at the grandparents, trips to the lovely downtown Chicago store windows with my Aunt Cheryl, and Frango Mint chocolates from Marshall Fields. One year Grandma took us all to the toy section and bought us each a marionette! They were beautiful and my eldest son has mine now.
The Czech great grandma celebrated St. Nicholas day Dec 5, but my mother did not continue that tradition. Instead she made Norwegian Krumkaka, which I continued to make well into my own adulthood. My daughter has the iron now, but we have not yet made it together. Maybe this is the year:). It was my first taste of Cardamom and I loved it. The equivalent would be an Italian Pizelle.
Grandma made Lefse, but my mom did not continue that tradition, instead choosing to buy it when she could. I've never made it, but I have a recipe and my daughter has Grandma's old electric Lefse maker. It's essentially a flour tortilla made with potato water. Best filled with jam and butter, or cinnamon sugar and butter. I find I want a trip to Ikea to get some Lingonberry jelly now:)
Dad or mom used to make homemade eggnog and I remember the big punch bowl with glasses of the stuff from a young age. Delicious! I have made my own and it is so much of an improvement over store bought. Must have freshly grated nutmeg.
Mom made "Frosted Filberts," which are now called Hazelnuts and I loved the spiced cinnamon meringue coating around those. I've made them exactly once as they are a pain in the patooty to make:).
My own Christmases were filled with "Baking Weekend" with Frances for many years. Pounds and pounds of flour, sugar and butter. Pumpkin Coconut Nut bread, Lemon Bread, Blondies, 7 layer bars, Fantasy Fudge, Peanut Brittle and my famous English Toffee. In recent years, I resurrected this with far flung friends around the country, and simplifying the baking to just shipping out Toffee nationwide to a few friends. I still make about 9 batches a year and it's that time again:). This is our 11th year of Bakefest. Last year I added some keto friendly Pecan Crescents as I'm off sugar these days.
We got and still give every family member a new ornament at Thanksgiving time as well. It's my mom's tradition, as are socks at Christmas. Sometimes it was underwear:). We watch several movies every Christmas season, with the must watches being "It's a Wonderful Life", "Christmas Vacation," and "White Christmas." I hope you and yours have a delightful holiday season. We're spending time with the Oxford grandkids next week, but Christmas will be at home.
What are your Christmas traditions?
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