Holiday Traditions

 I was thinking recently even though Covid 19 has killed so many Holiday Plans I was lucky enough to have a few tradition events and even started a new one this year.

For the past 5 years or so I have been hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookie Decorating Party.  It started at my place with my friend Adam for his daughter Kenzie and we invited his friend and his husband came too.   The following year we expanded and moved it to his place so that we could invite his 2 other friends and my friend, her husband and son.

Then Covid hit and we just did a fast cookie decorating at his place.  I decided to bring back the original idea this year and have it at my place again.  I invited Adam's friend Lewis again and he brought his adult neice with him.

I baked so many cookies and I think we each decorated 2 or 3.  I had shortbread ugly christmas sweaters and gingerbread men and trees, mittens and snowflakes and an excessive amount of sprinkles.

I served a roasted pepper and tomato soup with cheese stuffed pizza buns in the shape of a christmas tree. I also made a christmas tree cheese ball thing.

I had all kinds of drinks that I left on the balcony to chill and made my new signature non alcoholic sparkly punch drink.  Cranberry, orange, soda and some pomegranate seeds.

We played the game Clue but I gave up after 2 rounds.  My brain doesn't work that way.

It was lots of fun.

   

The other tradition involved my Foodie Pals.  For about 5 years we have been meeting up at different restaurants to do a secret Santa gift exchange while having a great meal.  We had to do it virtually last year and use Amazon to send gifts.  We all agreed it just wasn't the same as in person.   This year we went to Pai Uptown at Yonge and Eglinton.  It's my friend Mary's favourite and I think most of us have had their food before.  We have seen them at lots of events.  We ordered so much great food.  My new fav thing was the squash fritters.   We get gifts for under $20 and trade around using notes we pull from a bag.  this year it was a cute Santa bag.  So you never know what you will end up with.   The owner Jeff Regular came by to chat with us for a bit.  He told us about the band that was playing and how they saw them in Thailand where the restaurant is named from.  

It was a great night.  We had a great table tucked in a corner so we were distanced and could chat without being too close to other people.

The Newest Tradition was inspired by all my Hallmark Movie watching.  My friend sort of came up with the same idea and also wanted to host at her place but I convinced her that I have more food already and also my oven works and hers doesn't.  I did make a lot of food.  I had enough for 2 parties.

When my friends arrived I had some fun warm socks to give them and they grabbed a drink.  I had the new fruity punch and also lots of other drinks.  I made Hot Apple Cider and had a Hot chocolate bar ready to go but they weren't in the mood for it but they loved the Apple Cider.  It was fairly local near where one of my friends parents live even.

We played Hallmark Bingo.  I printed out cards I found online but the first movie we watched didn't match any of the usual things.   My friend Martina stayed and ended up watching like 5 movies with me.  The last one ticked the most boxes.

I also had little gifts to take home with a gnome ornament and nail polish and chocolates.   We all had cookies to do a gift exchange.  I just wanted them to bring one thing to share.

It was one of my friends birthdays a few days later so I got a cake for her and everyone was so full by that time so she took home most of the cake.

Besides having an insane amount of cookies and all kinds of snacks I also made cranberry, red pepper jelly glazed turkey meatballs, Spinach and artichoke hot dip and a charcuterie platter.

We literally just sat around and ate and watched movies and just did the cookie exchange but it was great and I will do it again next year.  Maybe less snacks but I already had so much thanks to Adam.  I decked out the place to make it cozy and festive.

Don't forget the lighting because it really helps with the mood and vibe.  I had led lights spread around. 

I also try and set up a lot of serve yourself kinds of things.  I set up a cart with plates, utensils and drinks they could grab themselves.  Had snacks everywhere so they could grab them as they liked so they could control what they wanted and leave me free to enjoy the party.

I kept all the gatherings fairly small this time and my other friend has been bugging me to do a big party again but that won't happen for a long time.

I really wanted to squeeze in some fun get togethers before we retreat to our homes again because of Omicron and I think I got them all in just in time.

My one other tradition was not my own making.   Adam invited me over for the first night of Hanukkah and we had potato latkes and made cookies and lit the Menorah.  I don't do that with him every year but have the past couple.  He usually spends it with his family but Covid 19 has changed everything.

So my point in all these traditions and gatherings or whatever else you consider a tradition is to have something to look forward to and create memories and spend time with people that matter to you.

Make it fun.  The one thing we have all learned is to not take it for granted how important human connection is.  I have always known that and enjoy time alone but make the most of time I spend with friends because I don't have the option of spending it with my family.

If you don't have a family to do traditions with create your own kid of family and do whatever you like to share together and try and do it every year and it will become a tradition.

Enjoy the Holiday Season and spend it with whoever you are able to and if you are alone create your own tradition like a Hallmark Movie marathon with a Hot cocoa bar or whatever you fancy.