Journalling reads:
One of the Christmas traditions that we have now involves the grandkids staying for a couple of days a few weeks before Christmas, so that we can make the Christmas puddings together. The girls love helping with this particular chore because they get to make some of the puddings in mugs, and then get to take those home to eat before Christmas. This has become a very special time for me, because it has started a tradition that I hope will continue well into the future, maybe become something that will be continued on as a family tradition through other generations. Christmas time for us still means spending time with family, the same as when I was a kid, and we still like to have the traditional Christmas dinner, even though the weather in Australia is so hot. To help with this I usually cook the turkey, pork etc in the kettle barbeque the day before, but that depends on whether there is a total fire ban. I will often cook the vegies in the kettle barby on Christmas day too. When my kids were little I was given a recipe for a light Christmas pudding, and because the kids loved it, it has become a tradition to make it every year since. For the last few years I've made a dark Christmas pudding too, because that is the sort I prefer. This year Bree made the light puddings, so maybe this is a tradition which will now be passed on to her. The kids usually come round on Christmas morning, and although they get to open a couple of presents each at home, Santa tends to leave most of their gifts under our tree. We open all the presents then prepare and eat lunch. Those Christmas crackers and silly paper hats are still a part of our day. We still have mince pies, sausage rolls, and lots of the food that was traditional when I was young. Christmas dinner still includes a Christmas pudding - light and a dark. When lunch is over we clean up, then play with the kids, go for a walk, play games, snooze or just relax. Tea is usually a pick of leftover cold meats, salad, sausage rolls, mince pies, and a bit more pudding. Most times nobody really eats very much for tea. Jason has the girls for some of the day. These traditions may end up changing, but family importance never will.
Credits:
Everything from Oh Christmas Tree by Stacy's Backdoor Designs
CS2