Traditions, Tradition!

You really should read the title with an accent like Topol, a la "Fiddler on the Roof"- at least, that's what I was thinking when I wrote it. I've been thinking a lot about traditions over the past few weeks- those we have based on family, religion, friends, all of them. Like WooBerry- it's tradition for me now to sit there with mommas and eat mass quantities of toppings (and maybe some fro-yo underneath). Toddler Train Time at Wegman's? That is becoming a tradition too. For me, traditions are more than just events or things that regularly happen- they are activities that become a part of who we are. The things that someone will recall when talking about us behind our backs (or in front of us!) As we approach the holidays, I am trying to figure out what my family traditions should be. We're like a good Glee episode- a mash-up. My husband grew up celebrating Chanukah, and I am a Christmas girl all the way. Since Bubba was born, we have celebrated Chanukah too- both boys have menorahs (granted, Bubba's is made out of felt. No flame for him thank you very much)! We realized tonight that this is the first Christmas we have actually spent together- my family (well, my parents and I) have the tradition of escaping to the warm, welcoming, arms of Mickey. I have spent more Christmas mornings there than anywhere else, and that is a tradition in and of itself. My hubs has always had to work, and aside from the Christmas morning when he proposed in a gazebo jutting off into the sea (that's a really funny story. One day, when I have nothing to say, I will write about that!) he's stayed home and worked. Now, however, I'm screwed because I AM THE MATRIARCH. Holy shit. I'm the adult now. I have this whole new nuclear family. I have two kids for crying out loud! It's up to me to create some new, meaningful traditions. Ha. Good freaking luck to me. My parents are coming up this Christmas too, so it's the first time I have ever "hosted" Christmas. The tree will be at their hotel, because really, toddlers and trees just don't mix (we have a fake palm tree in the dining room that can be the stand in- Bubba's tricycle will be there in the morning) but we will go to the hotel first thing in the morning to do the traditional Christmas morning things- stockings, presents, squeals of delight, the whole nine yards. Other than that, Christmas is on my turf. And I can't stop. Wrapping, baking, menu planning. I have a shopping list that is so long I have to actually turn it over to see the rest. It's even arranged by aisle (have I mentioned the Wegman's app? It's AMAZING) I have Christmas Eve dinner, and Christmas dinner to do of course, but it is also JB's birthday on the 23rd, so WHOO HOOO!!! Birthday dinner too!!! This will result in epic amounts of food being created. I was going to get an assortment of sushi or something, but no- I will channel my inner Paula Deen and whip out my apron. It's sort of ugly, but luckily, several people in my village are damn good at sewing! We're talking mango chutney ham glazes, red wine reductions, "THE" crab dip,  goat cheese crumbles meals. Meals I could take pictures of. Squash with prettier skin than I have (the Delicata, of course!) and perfectly polished pecans.

Don't even think I'm dropping the ball on Chanukah either- we're hosting friends that night and there will be matzo ball soup, brisket, latkes with all the fixings, and other such yummy things. We'll light the candles and enjoy a wonderful meal.

So far it's all about the food (and the wrapping, scented pine candles, decorating, and incessant playings of the Rosie O'Donnell Christmas album) but I need some real traditions. Something I can force my children to do for the rest of their lives, and they in turn can make their kids do it. At least one for each holiday. And I am completely stumped. I can think of NOTHING. We already make sure to give to others and do our best to help those in need all year round. When the kids are older, they will actually have to show up and volunteer somewhere to be eligible for festivities (but my hope is that they WANT to do it!) but I need more. Something better than average. I only have three days left until the first night of Chanukah, so I need to get on it. HELP ME PEOPLE!

I need a tradition better than popping open a nice bottle of pinot and saying "MINE!" repeatedly- that just won't fly. At least, not until the boys are of age, then they can adopt it, if they can still afford wine after all of their therapist bills.