Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tradition
This was my first Christmas away from my own family (except for Christmases of 1995 and 1996, when I was in Brazil on my mission, of course), and I have come to appreciate the fact that Christmas isn't the same everywhere you go.
To start off, I’m in Phoenix, which means that it’s been unusually warm for Christmas, although the Arizonans around me have been complaining of the cold. It’s been raining the past couple of days (they had to close the dome on the Bank One Ballpark (B.O.B.) for the Insight Bowl last night, prompting me to ask why there even IS a dome on a stadium in Phoenix (answer: for the air conditioning)). But there are palm trees all around. That’s unusual for me for Christmas.
I’ve already discussed the Christmas cookie debate. It was continued here, but with more people engrained in my wife’s traditions.
Other traditions of Shelly’s family not shared by my family:
* Spreading all the presents out to everyone all at once
* Parents open presents last
* Birthday party for a cousin on Christmas afternoon
* Very strict menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas
* Family photo on the stairs before anyone’s allowed near the tree
* Non-candy items in stockings
Traditions of my family I missed:
* Variety show on Christmas Eve
* Cream cheese candies (only my family likes this special little recipe, but this will be my first Christmas (including ’95 and ’96) without them)
* Elaborate ribbons and wrappings on presents
* Crash Bandicoot into the wee hours of Christmas night
* Tools as gifts (just kidding—I didn’t miss that one!)
But maybe some things are universal. Shared Traditions:
* Reading from the scriptures and singing on Christmas Eve.
* Pajamas on Christmas morning
* Games and togetherness all day
To start off, I’m in Phoenix, which means that it’s been unusually warm for Christmas, although the Arizonans around me have been complaining of the cold. It’s been raining the past couple of days (they had to close the dome on the Bank One Ballpark (B.O.B.) for the Insight Bowl last night, prompting me to ask why there even IS a dome on a stadium in Phoenix (answer: for the air conditioning)). But there are palm trees all around. That’s unusual for me for Christmas.
I’ve already discussed the Christmas cookie debate. It was continued here, but with more people engrained in my wife’s traditions.
Other traditions of Shelly’s family not shared by my family:
* Spreading all the presents out to everyone all at once
* Parents open presents last
* Birthday party for a cousin on Christmas afternoon
* Very strict menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas
* Family photo on the stairs before anyone’s allowed near the tree
* Non-candy items in stockings
Traditions of my family I missed:
* Variety show on Christmas Eve
* Cream cheese candies (only my family likes this special little recipe, but this will be my first Christmas (including ’95 and ’96) without them)
* Elaborate ribbons and wrappings on presents
* Crash Bandicoot into the wee hours of Christmas night
* Tools as gifts (just kidding—I didn’t miss that one!)
But maybe some things are universal. Shared Traditions:
* Reading from the scriptures and singing on Christmas Eve.
* Pajamas on Christmas morning
* Games and togetherness all day
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