Holiday Traditions of Years Past

As the holiday season comes upon us, i got to thinking about some of the things we did growing up:

1.  Annual trip for the tree.  Most people would pack up and head to the Christmas tree lot to pick out a winner.  Not us, we'd load up and head to Yazoo City for the day to pick up a tree that had already been picked out for us by an uncle, on my Dad's side, that we would only see 1-2 times a year.  This process went on for years.  Then, one year, my mom said, since you have your drivers license, why don't you take your brother and sister and go pick up a tree.  What???  Oh, wow!  Best tree picking trip ever!

With my boys, we would go down to the fairgrounds to pick our a tree.  We fell in love with the Frasier fur.  The needles were soft, and they stayed on the tree the longest.  The last one was bought, put in the tree, and nobody got excited about decorating it, so there it sat for a day or two.

 Next year we got an artificial, pre-strung with a million white lights.  We have had to pull the lights off it since most of the strings have burned out.  The spousal unit has been bringing in our adopted daughter to trim it out the last few years, till she went off to college.  Last year the boys and one girly friend trimmed it.  Wonder what this new season will bring???

2.  Timber!  Back in the old days the only type of tree we knew about was a scotch pine.  They all looked so pretty once you got them all decorated.  The tree farmers back then would play tricks on you.  The best looking trees had trunks so crooked, no ordinary tree stand could hold them!  Had one tree that fell over three times before we secured it to the wall.

3.  When the boys were little, I would bake gingerbread men and add icing to make them look just right.  Their classes at school were rather large, so it became quite a production.  As they got older, they both would give me that look, "no, Dad, not again, I'm not going to be seen carrying gingerbread men into school.  One day, those gingerbread men will arise again, get ready grand kids!

4.  We started this Santa collection as a young married couple.  Over the years the collection grew and grew.  Last year they didn't make it out of the box.  OK boys, something else for you to take over.

5.  Gail Pittman used to make gift buying real easy.  She had a Christmas pattern where the center of the plate would have a different theme.  She would also make a tree ornament with the same design.  She also started a tree ornament series designed around the " twelve days of Christmas".  We have enough Gail Pittman ornaments to cover a tree!  All good things come and go,  Gail's ornament factory is no more....

6.  Luminaries.  My parent's home town of Inverness has an annual tradition of putting out luminaries on Christmas Eve.  You fold down the edges of paper bags, add sand in the bottom, then add a lit candle.  The effect is a beautiful glow along the bayou.  If you're ever in the area, give it a drive by.

We did this in our neighborhood when the boys were small.  Now everybody is too busy.

7.  Turkey frying.  My Dad was a big fan of Justin Wilson, an outdoor cook that could do amazing things with a stove and a deep fryer.  He started frying whole turkeys before it became popular.  My Dad took up the trade and was frying a dozen birds before he scaled his cooking back.  I did it for a few years, then began smoking them covered in Tony C's!  Best bird ever!

8.  Desserts.  My Dad is big on ambrosia.  Oranges, coconut, and pineapple.  Put a scoop or two of this on a slice of coconut cake, OMG!  Occasionally I make some, but nobody enjoys it like I do.

9.  My grandmother Weems was the best cook I ever met.  She worked in the school cafeteria and would have me special treats when I made my way through.  Her homemade rolls were the best.  My sister has taken over the task of making these for the holidays.  Nothing like a slice of honey baked  ham on a homemade roll!

10.  Each Christmas Eve, we would attend the candlelight service at our church.

The first year, as a young married couple, we decided to go our to dinner afterwards.  Jackson is a big town, right?  As we made our way to restaurant row, all the eateries were shutting down.  Ended up at the Krystal on State Street!

Another year, we were in our usual spot on our pew.  A friend with big hair was two rows in front of us.  Son #1 was playing with a rubber band he had with him.  He then found a pencil.  Next thing I know, a pencil goes flying through the air, and it lands in the middle of that big ole head of hair.  We laughed about that many years afterward!

Just a few of my favorite memories.  If you've gottem, share!