Monday, December 17, 2007

Christmas Traditions

The Robinson/Hall family always eats Oyster Stew on Christmas Eve. I love traditions and I love my family, but…

Oyster Stew!

Am I a bad person if I have no intention of following through on that tradition? My mother might answer “yes” citing that some things are sacred. But really, I am not fond of oysters (especially in stew form) and my husband is allergic.

So, I need a replacement Christmas Eve dinner; one my children will look forward to, one that I will not have to plug my nose to ingest, one that will not send my husband to the ER.

What about Christmas Eve fajitas? Christmas Eve omelets? Christmas Eve Hamburger Helper? Or, to part way honor the family tradition, some sort of stew not containing a squishy gritty fish.

I will follow through with most other family traditions. I am most attached to Salmon Mousse (a delicious cream cheese and salmon dip), putting straw in the manger after a good deed, a Christmas visit to the AMC, card games, and reenacting the nativity.

Ryan and I have also a few new traditions to add to our little family’s repertoire. For example, Santa will visit our home, but only to stuff stockings.

You see, we don’t want Christmas to be the celebration of Santa Clause. No, our children should understand that Christmas is all about… MOM and DAD. Santa should not take credit for the cool bicycles, video games, and Barbie Dream Houses. MOM and DAD did it. Mom and Dad, Mom and Dad, Mom and Dad… but mostly Mom.

8 comments:

Janssen said...

Amen to your santa idea. :)

Unknown said...

You have been caught! Mostly DAD and thanks for not following with any tradition that has to do with oysters.

Ben said...

Hey Bethany - nice to meet you - I'm Ryan's long-lost cousin in Washington D.C. I found your site through Rachel's blog.

Our Christmas Eve tradition is a soup dinner. We invite friends over and everyone brings a home-made soup or chili. We have soup and the collective kids all do the nativity and everyone goes home in time for Santa to stuff the STOCKINGS ONLY!

Kristy said...

Um, clam chowder? I looove clam chowder. Is Ryan allergic to clams? And I love the Santa thing.

Steph said...

Christmas Eve Pizza is the best idea...all it takes is a phone call! ;)

Steph Bowen said...

Tyler's family goes out to Chinese on Christmas Eve. My mom even liked the idea so much that now they do the same.

Anonymous said...

You are only excused from Oyster stew because it would kill Ryan and I love him.

Mere preferences are no excuse.

Anonymous said...

What about CHRISTMAS MUFFINS?