Holiday Traditions and Disasters
Jordan Goings, Associate Editor
Nov. 16, 2012
After October, when the holidays start rolling around, it seems as if things start falling into place with the sensual aroma of pine and nutmeg, the lights, tinsel and garland, and the music setting the mood.
The holidays are fabulous. Texas can sometimes override the whole "holiday mood" when the weather outside is in the upper 80s; but despite the temperature change, one thing that holds true to the holidays are the unique traditions of every family. Like every family, we do things our own way - which we always have and, for the most part, will continue to do until we start having kids of our own.
The holiday tradition my family has for Thanksgiving is gathering at my mom's mother's house with her siblings and my cousins around noon. A few years ago, we were headed to my grandparents on Thanksgiving Day, driving on a small, congested and windy back road (it happened to be very cold and the roads were icy). As we were making our way slowly and carefully we drove up on an accident. The car was in the ditch and had hit an icy patch in the road. My dad immediately pulled over to see if we could help in any way or to see if anyone was hurt (his police instinct). The car was full with five passengers, and the airbags had all deployed; luckily, no one was injured but the car was totaled. Giving that it was Thanksgiving, they had food in their laps - like us on our way to my grandmother's. The pie and food they held was now on the windows and the back of seats, and drenched the front seat passenger (who had been hit by an air bag and the food from behind). The comic relief helped the situation.
Our Christmas traditions consist of making cookies for Santa the night before, going to church, and opening one present before we go to sleep, which is always in pajamas. The next morning, on Christmas day, we wake up, open presents, get ready, and head to my grandparents house for lunch and to spend the rest of the day with cousins, aunts, and uncles. My dad likes to make things more real.
For example, in '95 he dipped his work boots in the fireplace ash and stamped boot prints on our white carpet in front of the fireplace. I'm not sure if that's considered a disaster or just a bad move by Santa. Either way, we knew Santa had really been at our house and devoured the cookies we made for him.
I love the festive spirit of the holiday season in grocery stores, restaurants, and various other places; however I get an anxiety attack after the New Year when places start to turn bare, including my house. It just doesn't feel right. Every family experiences disasters, whether comical or not, but the holiday season is about giving, being thankful, and embracing and loving your family.