Now that time is just about up, how did you do with your Christmas budget? I did pretty well. I ended up spending less than $250 and got very nice gifts for everyone on my list. Some things purchased outright, some homemade things and some things purchased with points from various programs in which I participate. I think all my recipients will be happy.
Growing up, our Christmas tradition was to open our gifts on Christmas Eve. Our Christmas Day tradition was always to have our stockings and our “Santa” gift in the morning when we came down. I have carried on that tradition with my son. As he’s gotten older I have added a nice Christmas Eve dinner, kept the stocking and gave up the “Santa” gift.
Yesterday my son told me that his dad, who lives locally, and his dad’s family want to have their get together on Christmas Eve. He was making promises to run there and back again. I assured him that I’d rather have his undivided attention, as I’m sure would his dad’s family, and that I’ll happily give over and let them have Christmas Eve. I’ve never done Christmas Day and I’m trying not to be a baby about spending Christmas Eve alone. It’s funny how our personal traditions become so important to us!
I’m contemplating my Christmas menu, and while it pales in comparison to what Funny About Money is planning, I’m thinking about something with quail and shrimp and pastry. Perhaps some sort of pot pie or turnover. I’m having Brussels' sprouts, which I love, and a potato dish for my sides. Roasted squash soup for the starter and an eggnog crème bruleé for dessert. I’m sorry to say that my menu is mostly being driven by what is already in my fridge and freezer as I just didn’t feel like going to the store. One good thing about cooking for a twenty-two year old is that he will be happy no matter what I produce!
What are your childhood Christmas traditions? What have you kept and what have you discarded or tweaked a little?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
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4 comments:
Quail? Shrimp? & pastry? Hmmm...what time is dinner?
:-D
I found the first few years of post-divorce Christmas harrowing. But time heals all (etc.). Now the kid and I have a great time. Usually he goes over to his father's whenever he rolls out of the sack, opens a few presents, maybe sits down to an early dinner of sawdust turkey (the new wife is not into high cuisine), and then comes over here, where our traditional Christmas day dinner is (yes!) rack of lamb.
This year for the first time (he's only 30), he's decided it's OK to parade Mom in front of his friends. So we're entertaining one of his best buddies & wife and mother. I'm really looking forward to it...should be fun.
Hope you have a happy Christmas despite the shift in traditions.
It sounds like fun! It's so much fun to cook a special meal for a goup. I'm having a good evening messing around on the computer, watching a movie and being happy! Merry Christmas to you too!
My 21-year-old son is home from University in Michigan for first time in a year. We live in Southern California. He loves to eat home cooked food like your son. Great on not over spending. I've tried the same this year.
@Gutsy - Thank you for your comment and thanks for stopping by! Isn't it nice to have them home as adults?
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