Our December Traditions

For Blogmas day 6, let’s chat about December traditions. These are our traditions both as a couple and with family and will be mainly Christmas-focused as Hanukkah can happen as early as November depending on the year.

Our holiday traditions

December is probably the busiest and coziest month of the year, and one of my favourites, even though it does contain the shortest day of the year. There’s just always something that is on deck for us, even if it is something as simple as baking or watching a Christmas movie.

And yes, I do refer to the holidays as Christmukah. I didn’t come up with that, but if you watched The O.C., you know where I got that from 😉

Christmas Tree and Decor

I am very firm on this, unlike the vast majority of people, but Christmas & Hanukkah decor doesn’t come out until December 1st. The only exception is when Hanukkah begins before December 1t. So, for 2021, the first night of Hanukkah is the evening of November 28th. This year we are out of town for the first couple of nights, so I will have the decor out before we leave so we can light the candles as soon as we get home.

I basically use the first day of the month to fluff the Christmas tree before I start working, and then work on decorating after I’ve accomplished some work for the day. That glow of the Christmas tree just puts me in such a good mood. But, when you live in 700 square feet, having the tree up for ages is exhausting.

Christmas Baking Tradition

I’m pretty certain if Jason comes home on December 1st from work, and there aren’t already shortbread cookies ready to eat, there’s trouble. I don’t think that’s ever happened, because I always make a batch of shortbread on December 1st. It’s a lot easier to do now that I work for myself, so I don’t have to go into an office that interferes with my production schedule.

Yes, shortbread is not that good for you. But it’s good for the soul, and that’s all that matters in December 🙂

Downtown Christmas Night Tradition

Every single year, for as long as I can remember, my family has done a Christmas night downtown. I live in the city now, so I can do this whenever, but I still choose to try and align with my family to keep the tradition alive. When you live an hour outside the city, it’s a trek but it’s always been worth it.

There is the first stop at Canada Place where we peruse the Christmas displays. I haven’t done this in a while as I have been working in an office, and because I rarely take time off in December, was always there covering others, so getting out of work early enough was an issue.

After the Christmas displays, we head to Robson Square and skate around the outdoor rink. When you see me get on the ice, you’d almost think I didn’t spend multiple years figure skating. And yet I did. Nothing humbles me more, but once we get going, it’s a competition.

After ice skating, we typically hit up Red Robin for dinner, and then we head to Stanley Park to participate in Bright Nights and ride the Christmas train. There is always a theme, and while you have to have a ticket this year to participate even in looking at the lights because of COVID, it’s always worth it. Last year was the first year we missed it, and I have to say that it just didn’t feel the same.

German Christmas Market Tradition

Y’all. This is something me and Jason do and only started going to recently, but it’s a tradition now. We tend to go on the 23rd or 24th, peruse all the shops, eat snacks from food vendors, and enjoy a beer. Mulled cider is also an option, but I am not the biggest fan of any kind of cider, unfortunately.

When we’re done walking around the market, we head across the street to the Fairmont Pacific Rim for cocktails in the lobby bar.

 

Jewish Christmas Tradition

The first time I heard the phrase “Jewish Christmas” I was very confused, but I grew up in a place where everyone celebrated Christmas. Almost, anyway. Jason’s family introduced me to go out for Chinese Food and a movie as most places close early on the 24th, and only select movie theatres are open. Jason and I have recreated that to order takeout and we choose from Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Indian food depending on our mood, and watch movies. Typically this always includes Home Alone, sometimes Diehard, The Grinch, Elf or whatever else we feel like watching.

Growing up, I used to spend Christmas Eve with my dad and step-family and that was always fun. But I love our Christmas Eve tradition.

Christmas Day Tradition

I’m exhausted just writing about it, but it’s always a good time. We sleep in, and once we’re both awake, we make spiked eggnog lattes and open presents if we’re doing, and stockings. Watching Brie open presents is always hilarious and I honestly think shredding tissue paper is her favourite Christmas activity. That is followed by eggnog french toast and bacon, then rushing around to get ready to head to my aunt’s house.

We try to get to my aunt’s house mid-afternoon where there are a plethora of snacks for an army, no joke. We have your traditional turkey dinner, clean up a bit, and then open presents. A new tradition we now have is saran-ball and y’all – if I thought my fam was competitive before, this is has levelled us all up. Grandma is hands down the most competitive but she will argue that fact endlessly!

Dessert consists of eggnog cheesecake, and at this point, we’re all in jammies because we can no longer fit in our clothes comfortably. And yes, if you’re keeping track, we’ve absolutely consumed about 50,00 calories.

Only after the clock strikes midnight do we pop Titanic in, or I guess now, stream it on Netflix. Don’t ask how this tradition started, and I’m sure their neighbours hate us, but it’s loud enough to make us feel like we’re on the ship. We spend the night because Titanic is a nearly 3 hour long movie and we do turn it into a drinking game.

Fun fact: when my sister was living in Saskatchewan, we legit called her via FaceTime and she watched it with us, but she did in fact fall asleep. So does my aunt, but will deny it every year 🙂

Tradition 7

Boxing Day Tradition

After a brief post-Titanic nap, there has always been boxing day shopping. However, in recent years, the deals haven’t been as good, so the desire to go shopping has dwindled. Also, my cousins say they are tired. These girls don’t realize they made me take them when they were teenagers, and not once did I ever complain about being tired. I did complain about being hungover, but that’s a whole other situation.

My aunt has waffles ready for us when we get back, or in the case lately, mid-morning as we all slum around in our jammies drinking coffee. We laze around all-day, snacking as if we hadn’t just consumed 50k calories the day before, watching hockey as the World Juniors start on Boxing Day.

The day ends with turkey buns from the Christmas dinner leftovers, and then we pile ourselves and the very tired dog into the car and head back to the city. We sleep so good the night of Boxing Day, no word of a lie.

Wrap Up

If Hanukkah is in the month of December, we do one family dinner with our nieces and in-laws and we are always in charge of latkes. We do like to watch Christmas movies throughout the month of December, but the most we watch at one time is Christmas eve, and I bake endlessly all month long. So if you see me running constantly in the month of December, now you know why 😉

The Christmas tree comes down on January 1st in the morning, and so does the rest of the decor and the condo feels so much larger! The hangover in January is real, and also typically kicks off a run training season for me so I’m not too lazy for too long 🙂

What are some of your favourite traditions? I’d love to hear them, so leave me a comment. Maybe you’ll inspire me to try something new!