Community Manager#EASweepstakes Thank you for this beautiful idea and opportunity!
For my family, It's all about traditions. My Grandfather came to Racine, WI from Denmark when he was about 8 years old with his parents; and with them they brought their Danish traditions for Christmas that are still celebrated to this day in honor of them and of our Scandinavian heritage.
Before the holiday celebration took place, the festivities started days before, as all the women in the family would get together at my grandparent’s home and start baking and cooking their favorite holiday dishes/recipes to share; while the younger generation of ladies looked on and observed or assisted while learning these recipes themselves.
Then, on Christmas Eve Day, our family would gather at my grandparent’s home for the main celebration. Along with fresh fruits, we had homemade breads, cookies, and homemade leverpostej (Almost like liver Sausage spread, but far better and richer) and homemade jams and jellies. These were offered during the afternoon for a wonderful luncheon spread with freshly brewed Danish coffee to follow.
For Christmas Eve, we hosted the diner. We had goose, served with homemade stuffing, and sweet potatoes made with marshmallows, along with homemade sides like pickled beets and/or cranberry sauce, and freshly baked dinner roles. A very special Danish apple cake which took three days to make, consisted of a special graham cracker crust, and its filling of homemade vanilla pudding and applesauce, was topped with homemade whipped cream. Maraschino cherries were then placed on top of the cake in a decorative display. This lovely apple cake and freshly made Danish coffee made the diner complete. Needless to say no one went home hungry LOL.
It wasn't just the homemade foods though, that made our season bright and the home filled with amazing aromas lasting for days after; it was the gathering of our family. We were a very small family unit but the energies of love was strong to cheer up even the darkest of times the year through.
After the diner, Christmas carols were sung and we all spent time sitting together and enjoying each others company. Then it was time to open our gifts (For the young ones, we thought this time would never get here with all the other festivities that came first LOL.). Early Christmas Day morning was a time of reflection and to give thanks for all we are blessed with, as some of our family either went to church to partake in the Christmas service or was spent at home in prayers and/or contemplation. Growing up, I sang in the church choir. Later that morning, some of us went to our friends for a delicious festive Christmas breakfast. In the afternoon, we would adjourn home or back over to my grandparent's home to enjoy all the leftovers, our gifts that were opened the night before, and rest. Throughout the day, we could often hear the nearby church bells ringing and organ music playing which lofted in the air to add to that magical touch.
I just hope many are blessed to have their own holiday traditions to reflect on for generations to come. Blessing to all and to all a wonderful, blessed, and peaceful holiday season.
