Christmas Traditions

Sunday, December 16, 2012

How are your holiday preparations coming?  As the days race by to the big event, I find myself a little behind on my holiday to-do list.  I still have more shopping to do, gifts to wrap, and cards to mail.

My parents are hosting Christmas dinner this year, as they have done over dozens of Christmases in the past.  My mom usually goes all out with her Christmas decor, and when we walk in the door to their home and see the Christmas tree, the gifts and all of her Christmas decorations, it feels just like Christmas should feel.  My mom's design style is fairly traditional - her dining room is painted a lovely shade of red, and there is red and white toile on her dining chairs.  Her brass and crystal chandelier is usually decorated with ornaments she hung from holiday ribbon.  Every year our Christmas table is set with Mom's white Christmas china and big red goblets - and every year it is beautiful.



Oh, and the smell!  At Christmas we are treated to homemade ravioli.  It's the only time during the year we have it.  Usually I or my brother help my mom make the Christmas ravioli.  We make close to a hundred to feed about a dozen of us, give or take.  

There is something so comforting about spending every Christmas in the house where you grew up.  Sure, some of the paint colors and furnishings have changed over the years, but it still feels like home, and it stirs up an emotion inside of you that you can't describe in just one word, because its an emotion that has many layers.  First and foremost,  there is joy, because it's Christmas and you're spending it with the people you love most in the world.  But there's also a longing for the carefree days you spent in that very house as a child, a longing for the comfort of knowing all was right in the world because your Mom and Dad made sure you felt loved and safe.  Also buried in that mix of emotions is an strange concoction of pride and sadness as you look around the table and see your own children looking a little more grown up - and in turn, needing you a little less. 

So, as we race toward the big day, my goal is to focus less on the pressures brought on by all the shopping and preparations, and instead try to savor these strange and powerful emotions.

Merry Christmas!



14 comments:

Albertina || MimosaLane said...

Christmas ravioli!!!??? I love it! I can imagine the hardwork that goes into making them. Must be fun to prepare and then eat it. What do you stuff them with?

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

Christmas ravioli sounds absolutely wonderful!!

Unknown said...

I love Christmas traditions and am missing my parents especially this time of year. Now it's up to me to carry on the traditions using mom's china and so many of her things. It is lovely. Have a wonderful holiday Kim,
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

sniff, sniff. I love Christmas ravioli. If I time I make for the 13 of us at my house this year.

The Pink Pagoda said...

Your Christmas will be lovely! You've made me want some ravioli : )

Emily {Isnt That Charming} said...

My mom goes all out for Christmas too. I can't wait to be home for the holidays - there's nothing like spending time with family during this time of year.
Isn’t That Charming.

Karena said...

Kim what wonderful memories to cherish from your Holidays at home over the years!

Love and Hugs
Karena
Art by Karena
$75 NOVICA Giveaway

Terry said...

Thanks for visiting. We have Christmas BBQ FedX'd from High Point. I'm more sentimental every year. But I don't miss my own carefree days so much. I miss my children's' carefree days which are mostly over. Best wishes to all your loved ones.

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Fran said...

Well said!! Merry Christmas Kim!! When we were little, my mom went all out for Christmas too!!

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Merry Christmas to you too, Kim! This is such a heartfelt and beautiful post.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo

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