Well It Was Christmas

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Well, it was Christmas, or Happy Holidays for the politically correct. Which individual or individuals said we must use the phrase “Happy Holidays”? Come on, get real. I will say “Merry Christmas” and a “Happy New Year” to people till the day I die.

I was raised, singing songs about Christmas, around the Christmas tree. We had to pick the right tree to fit in the living room. Not just any tree, but the BEST tree in the woods. It had to be gorgeous on all sides, green, with full boughs, and smell heavenly. After all, this tree represented the pinnacle of Christmas. The tree was lovingly adorned with real, honest to goodness candles.  Having the honour of placing the candles was left to the head of the household, but some of the older children were lucky at times to assist.

Next came the cherished bobbles, stars, popcorn strings (which managed to survive being eaten when they were made fresh) and of course, the icicles. The tree was starting to fill out and become something special. The smaller family members would put the bottom edge ornaments on.  After all, this was an apprenticeship program. Every year the younger siblings would graduate to a higher level of decorating.

The living room was starting to get crowded by the adults placing all the Christmas goodies around the room. It was heaven. The smells of the cooking turkey, the pickled herring, cranberry sauce, pirag (baked Latvian perogy) infused our spirit of Christmas even further.

When the tree was near completion, the head of the family would place the finishing touch on top of the tree, a golden angel of such magnificence, it radiated throughout the house. We all knew the time was getting close for the visitation of Santa. But all this build-up was for not if we did not light the candles on the tree. Songs could not be sung, nor could a meal be eaten until the tree was finished with lights and household presents.  The anticipation of Santa visiting was building and building.

 But the candles could not be lit until one last step was done to adorn the tree - angel hair! This light, white, itchy substance was gingerly placed over the boughs holding the candles.  It made the Christmas tree look as if some very light snow settled over it.

Now we were ready for the lighting of the candles. One by one, the candles were lit. It was magnificent. Our Christmas tree was beautifully lit; the angel hair radiated the candles light like a halo.  Mom would announce that the turkey was ready, the desserts were done and the stuffing was stuffed. Like clockwork, everything was done, military precision.

All the children were ushered to the front of the tree, and were required to sing any Christmas song. This reinforced the Christmas spirit in us, but the truth be known, as we got older we felt it was singing for our supper. My voice was in fine tune, and no other Silent Night Holy Night was sung like my rendition that day, or would ever be sung that way again. Laughter filled the living room. I bowed after my vocalization and took my seat next to the tree. I clapped and cheered as each person sung their Christmas song. What a night, what a Christmas.

SUPPER!!! Was called aloud, and everyone managed to find a table, nook or location to enjoy the meal. I ran up in line and loaded my plate with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes and gravy, herrings in cream, pirags, pickled beets, corn, peas, ham and more. My plate was too small! But there was enough to go around 6 times. After the wonderful feast, we ran to the living room. On Christmas Eve, all the children, parents, and guests, were allowed to open 2 presents. This was the reward for singing.

Paper was neatly saved, bows were placed in a container (to be used again) and the box stuffing was removed outside. Giggles of joy, squeals of delight and the occasional “Just what I wanted” echoed in the living room. Flashbulbs were triggered, poses were asked, and life was good.

Dessert! You cannot go to bed without dessert, no matter how full you are. I remember every two to three feet around me, anywhere I sat, was some kind of dessert. Not the formal, end of the meal dessert, but eat as much as you want dessert. Ice-cream with some flavoured sauce, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and cake. There was no excuse for not having a good dessert.

AH! Finally full.

 Now it was time for a few card games, Rumoli, Jacks, Fish, and a game called Happy. Soon, the supper, the dessert, and the late hour forced us to retire to our beds and await anxiously the arrival of Santa Claus. More presents if we were good, or coal if we were bad. I hope I was good throughout the year.

Christmas for us was a unification of our family, a gathering of good will and the pay-forward of a good tradition. We celebrated Christmas with all the verve we could muster and with heartfelt wishes for everyone.

So for those POLITICALLY CORRECT “Happy Holidays” people, I say “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”