Old-time Holiday Traditions

[FarmerJamie]

Just sitting here with coffee and memories this morning, curious if anyone would share traditions (treasured or not so treasured) from years gone by. Partly inspired by a life journal book with tons of questions given to me by my eldest. "A Father's Life" is the book, they have versions for mothers, too.

Homemade holiday treats - both grandmothers had tables covered in iced sugar cookies, pinwheel cookies, and assortments too plentiful to remember. Cookie stashes would last until mid January with the dessicated remains of the least popular varieties sometimes being thrown out. My maternal grandmother also made tons if candies- peanut brittle, carmels, hard tack, chocolate peanut clusters, to name a few.

I tried to continue the cookie baking tradition with the kids but it fizzled out as they were teens during the divorce and it became logistically diffucult. I will still make one or two varieties for them to send home with them when they visit.

What say you? What other memories would you like to share?

 

[murphysranch]

Grandfather Ehly, when they would visit us from Philly, would string a huge cowbell across the hallway. That way the 4 of us couldn't get to the tree. I continued that tradition with my kids. I still have the bell!!

 

[flowerbug]

i'll always fondly remember my one aunt who made miniature pecan pies (i guess they would be called tarts even if they weren't tart at all). they were about about 4cm across and very yummy.

she also made some soft cookies that were rolled in crushed pecans and a maraschino cherry half stuck in the center and the black walnut cookies that i still make myself from time to time.

we used to get together and eat and then play some games but times have changed.

 

[Hinotori]

i'll always fondly remember my one aunt who made miniature pecan pies (i guess they would be called tarts even if they weren't tart at all). they were about about 4cm across and very yummy.

she also made some soft cookies that were rolled in crushed pecans and a maraschino cherry half stuck in the center and the black walnut cookies that i still make myself from time to time.

we used to get together and eat and then play some games but times have changed.

Mom used to make the pecan thumbprint cookies, too. She said this year she isn't making them. Cutting all the cherries is too much for her hands.

 

[Hinotori]

Mom always made cookies for family for christmas presents. Weeks to make them all. I helped until I left home. I think she cut back on the variety at that point.

This is the first year she isn't making the soft sugar cookies everyone loves. She handed out copies of the recipe last year. I think I'm the only one who's ever actually made the things besides her. They take 3 days. One brother is going to try this year because he couldn't convince her to make him even one batch to use for the cookie Christmas tree. Mom's giving him mixed dough and frosting to get it started along with the graduated snowflake cookie cutters. She just cant roll them out

 

[frustratedearthmother]

My grandmother always made fruitcake cookies.... that's enough about that, lol.

Mom and I made homemade chocolate covered mints. The mints had to be rolled into little balls then dipped into melted chocolate. If we were really ambitious we'd roll 'em in crushed peppermint sticks. They were pretty yummy!

 

[FarmerJamie]

Other memories...
Christmas Eve -
Church had candlelight service that we would attend, beautiful memory. Afterwards, we would drive around viewing home displays in town. Would get home and have mom's homemade pizza and Pepsi (still sold in bottles). In bed by 11 or so. Still enjoy driving after dark now to view light displays