More Traditions

I love traditions!  As I said in my last post, that's what Christmas is all about at our house. Here's some more of what we do....

The Movies

My hubby and I watch Family Man every year.  It's a great movie to refocus us on what is most important in our lives.

Every Christmas seasons starts with Home Alone... the kids insist upon this!

Other must watch movies at our house: 

Santa Clause (with Tim Allen), Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas and Holiday Inn

If we fit others in, it's a bonus!

The Glass Pickle

12 years ago, for our wedding, J. and I received a large pickle ornament.  This began the tradition of hiding the pickle in the tree.  Whichever child finds the pickle, they get to open an extra (family) present. 

The Paper Christmas Tree

Last year, J. was reading somewhere in the Old Testament where the Israelites would travel back to a certain place every 7 years to remember who they were and where they came from.  He decided that our family needed to have a similar tradition.  Well, it just so happened that seven years before we had decided to save some money by not putting up a real Christmas tree (I refuse to buy a fake tree to put up every year, I need the fresh evergreen smell!).  So, we made a paper christmas tree and paper ornaments to put up on the wall.  It was fabulous!  Last year, to commemorate every seven years of being a Hathaway, we put up yet another paper tree!  We'll do the same in seven more years!

The Treats & a Bowl of Nuts

And, of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without the music and the goodies!  Our home is filled with the music of Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, and Celine Dion. 

Every year we also need to have a bowl of uncracked nuts on our kitchen counter.  This one I brought from my own family growing up.  It's a must!

And here's our family's special holiday treat recipe.  It's a recipe my mom adapted to create a yummy pastry. Enjoy!

Sour Cream Twists
1 c. shortening, melted
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. yeast (in 1/4 c. water)
2 eggs, beaten
3 1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine shortening, sour cream, salt and vanilla.  Blend in yeast and eggs.   Add flour.  Mix.  Place in greased bowl and cover with damp cloth.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.  Combine sugar and cinnamon.  Spread on board or counter.  Place dough on sugar mixture and roll into a rectangle.  Fold into thirds (like a letter).  Roll out again.  Repeat 3times until sugar is gone.  Roll into a rectangle about 1/2"  thick.  Cut into 1"x4" strips.  Twist and place on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.  Glaze.

Merry Christmas, Everybody!