Christmas Eve Holiday Traditions
Some traditions have been around for hundreds of years, while others are modern-day versions of ancient customs. Around the world, Christmas Eve is celebrated with a variety of foods. In Italy, they celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes. Russians traditionally serve a 12-dish Christmas Eve Supper before opening gifts.
Fruitcake is traditional for Christmas in the United Kingdom. The earliest recipe from ancient Rome lists pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and raisins that were mixed into barley mash. In the Middle Ages, honey, spices, and preserved fruits were added.
- What would you care to share abouit holiday traditions that you have in your family?
- What is the story behind that?
- This year, do you follow the traditional customs or do you have your own holiday traditions now?
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Some holiday traditions have been cherished for generations, while others evolve over time. One of my family’s most beloved traditions is preparing a big Christmas dinner with a focus on comfort foods. Similar to the Feast of Seven Fishes in Italy, we have a tradition of including a variety of dishes, but our focus is on a hearty mix of meats, vegetables, and homemade sides. Each year, my grandmother would make her famous stuffing, which became a family favorite and an essential part of the celebration.
The story behind this tradition is rooted in a memory from my childhood. My grandmother always emphasized the importance of bringing the family together around the table. She would spend hours preparing the meal, and it became a time for all of us to bond and share stories. Over the years, we’ve continued to honor her legacy by sticking to her recipes, even as some family members have moved further away.
This year, we’ve stuck to many of the traditional customs, but we’ve also added a modern twist. While we still have my grandmother’s stuffing and the familiar dishes, we’ve introduced some new recipes like a plant-based option for our vegetarian family members. It’s nice to see how traditions evolve while still preserving the core values of family, food, and togetherness.
@softParadise1540 sounds wonderful and thanks for thinking of plant based alternatives!
Some holiday traditions have been cherished for generations, while others evolve over time. One of my family’s most beloved traditions is preparing a big Christmas dinner with a focus on comfort foods. Similar to the Feast of Seven Fishes in Italy, we have a tradition of including a variety of dishes, but our focus is on a hearty mix of meats, vegetables, and homemade sides. Each year, my grandmother would make her famous stuffing, which became a family favorite and an essential part of the celebration.
The story behind this tradition is rooted in a memory from my childhood. My grandmother always emphasized the importance of bringing the family together around the table. She would spend hours preparing the meal, and it became a time for all of us to bond and share stories. Over the years, we’ve continued to honor her legacy by sticking to her recipes, even as some family members have moved further away.
This year, we’ve stuck to many of the traditional customs, but we’ve also added a modern twist. While we still have my grandmother’s stuffing and the familiar dishes, we’ve introduced some new recipes like a plant-based option for our vegetarian family members. It’s nice to see how traditions evolve while still preserving the core values of family, food, and togetherness.
@soulsings
During the pandemic, Hubby and I felt the need to get out of the house for Christmas Eve. So, it's now a tradition to get fast food (the only time of year I do that because...diabetes) and then drive around looking at light shows in nearby neighborhoods. It's our time to enjoy the season together before the families converge.
@HealingGriz I remember going around looking at Christemas light displays. Thanks for bringing back that memory.
My poor mother tried the British plum pudding on us 5 kids back in the 60s. She went through so much trouble to get it from some expensive place in Paris. Rum was poured over and It was lit up, we all went "aaaah!" and then realized that it was NOT the taste or smell we expected. We had no choice but to eat the portions Maman had given us, but..... since the rum had not all burned, we all got dizzy and went to bed early. I wonder if it was not on purpose on the part of our parents.
The following year, no rum. But the same thing was served with eggnog. It was better, but we went to bed just as fast as the previous year.
It's been a creamy chocolatey Xmas log ever since. No-one of us five has ever had plum pudding again.
@Fradiga that is amazing that some foods are not liked by children. Glad you found one you like instead.