The Early Years
For most of my life Christmas was a two day celebration. When I was young we would gather at my grandmothers house on Christmas Eve. My cousin Andrea organized a Christmas play and we all got starring roles. I vaguely remember being the one that sang an acapella version of Silent Night. Later the grown-ups would gather around the piano to sing Polish Christmas Carol. It was a Fast day, meaning no meat, so the fare was beet soup and fried smelt. I never tasted either of these delicacies having decided that I hated them. I was a hot dog and french-fry aficionado.
As we got older we would walk a few blocks to a drug store that had a soda fountain. They made the best ice cream floats. Dessert for my non-existent dinner. We didn’t stay too long because we knew that presents were going to be exchanged later in the evening.
One Christmas Eve I had the brilliant idea of staging a photo of my cousin Jim falling from the second story window. No one thought this was a bad idea and the adults had no idea of what we doing. This is the advantage of having a chaotic gathering. Jim dangled out of the window while his brothers held his legs. I stood underneath with my camera and flash. I’m very proud of the result and there were no injuries or loss of life.
The Later Years
With the exception of 2020 when Covid stole Christmas we have celebrated Christmas Eve at my sister’s house and Christmas Day at my Mother’s house. Still keeping with the two day celebration of my childhood.
This Year (2023)
The two day celebration was a topic of discussion this year and it was decided that the time had come to make a change. One day for everything. Christmas Eve is a day for preparation. It was restful and quiet, We played some Christmas music, wrapped gifts, Ginny baked a pie which I had a chance to sample. I watered my houseplants, The only chore that need to be done is taking out the frozen croissants to allow them to rise. The kids are stopping over for a Christmas morning breakfast. We are having croissants, eggs, kielbasa and hashbrowns. Merry Christmas to all of you, have a wonderful Christmas.
