Christmas Traditions

I've just been wrapping Christmas presents. A few years ago the family decided that we would only share presents for the children and it's a nice way to celebrate things without the added pressures of costs which for some family members was a real issue.So the pile of presents isn't huge but it's colourful and put together with love. We're extra lucky this year because we get to share in two gift exchanges for the littlies. We had one this morning because one small granddaughter will be elsewhere on the day itself and so we got together for a pair of small cousins to spend some time together - oh, and exchange gifts, too, of course. I have to say there were two very happy little girls.

This morning's exchange is a relatively new Christmas tradition brought about by changed circumstances but this is a family that is very big on getting together. We do it at the drop of the proverbial hat for birthdays and other festivals - we are a very multicultural family so there's quite a mix of these - and all those here always meet up for lunch on Christmas Day. Here we follow a long standing tradition of all contributing something for the meal and the dishes themselves are also  largely determined by tradition. For Pisces and me part of our contribution is a huge fresh fruit salad (this is his task and he sits and cuts up while watching and listening to Christmas carols). The Christmas pudding is traditional - and actually stands up well as a summer dessert surprisingly enough - but this is Australia after all and the forecast for Christmas Day is 34°C so a cool fruit salad makes a refreshing option for those of us who are not enraptured by such a heavy dessert. There are the vegetable dishes, also part of a long established tradition. Nowadays Virgo has taken over making Nanna's special pumpkin dish and equally special tomato and onion dish, someone does a green bean casserole, someone else a potato salad and large quantities of roast veggies appear magically on the table. There's turkey and a ham for the meat eaters and some kind of veggie creation for those who are not carnivores. It's all delicious and all part of family traditions inherited from our parents and in turn from their parents.

This year is particularly special because many far flung family members are going to be there with us, several bringing their new partners and the littlest one at two and a half is starting to really get into the spirit of giving - and receiving. There is inevitably some sadness. Over recent years the older generation has been slowly disappearing and while they're much missed they remain alive in our memories as we keep up the traditions they started.

So as you can see we are going to have a lovely day - full of love, laughter and joy. I wish you all the same.