On my mantle, there sits an elf. He is not of the "shelf" variety. He is old, and not because of the curly white beard he wears, which my five-year-old niece says is "weird" because he doesn't look like her clean-shaven elf. No, the bendable wire in his legs and arms has been re-positioned year after year ever since I can remember. He has been with me a long time -- a Christmas tradition from my childhood.
My elf tradition and more have made their way into our family over time. New ornaments every year, an advent calendar and the hanging of handmade stockings have become part of our Christmas. I'm fairly certain I wouldn't get away with dropping oranges in those stockings, like I had as a kid, but if the advent calendar isn't stocked full of candy on Dec. 1, I will hear about it. The kids overlook the occasional inclusion of ribbon candy, but that is more for me.
Apart from the oranges in the stockings and ribbon candy on the coffee table, our Christmas meal has some traditions of its own. Many memories and traditions revolve around food and certain dishes must make the menu. If they do not, it risks becoming one of those stories told every year, "Do you remember that year we didn't have Grandma's noodles?" Whether it's turkey or roast matters not, as long as those noodles and broccoli casserole are on the table.
The dishes that mean the most have a history, a story to tell and a connection beyond the food. To change the recipe in any fashion is not allowed, nor is skimping or taking shortcuts. Using store-bought noodles instead of scratch, for example, is not a good idea. (Don't ask how I know; that's another story.)
As a result, the cooking of the holiday meal involves more thought and planning. I am appreciative of those who provide the ingredients, wherever they farm, because as Santa knows, some of those items don't grow in December in Missouri, or any other time of year for that matter. Come to think of it, he is the culprit responsible for those oranges in my stocking. Perhaps he understands that we need farmers from many places to enjoy certain foods year-round.
As for new recipes or rituals, we have those from time to time, too. Some stick. Some don't. Every year, though, I try and sneak in a new dish or dessert. What did we ever do without Pinterest? It certainly makes discovering that next tradition easier -- as long as it doesn't replace my elf or Grandma's noodles.
Community on 12/18/2014