On Christmas Morning We Had Our Own Long Traditions

I lived most of my impressionablel life in the North West. Most of the time Christmas was devoid of snow. The day after Christmas, if it wasn't raining, we would go to our local par 3 golf course. So, all those romantic pictures of snow on the ground at Christmas, was foreign to me.

We had our Christmas morning traditions, which were agonizing for us children. But I look back on it with fondness. I even tried to introduce it to my own family, and it was quickly nipped in the bud as cruel, and that children shouldn't have to endure that delayed gratification.

Our Christmas tree never went up until Christmas eve. We would always pester our mother about putting up the tree, but we were informed that this was actually one of Santa's and his elves tasks. They were supposed to put up the Christmas tree and put the presents underneath when they were finished.

Many years later my sister and I, marveled at how our parents were able to put up, and decorate the tree, and put the presents underneath in one night - a feat I am sure any ninja would be proud of I'm sure!

Christmas morning for us was strict, our parents made sure that a strict protocol was followed. The three of us children would be waiting for our father's wake up call on Christmas morning. It didn't take much to get us up and out of bed on Christmas morning. I was usually fully dressed and at the door, ready to bounce down the stairs, as soon as I heard my father calling us children. I would be out the door in no time. I was usually the first one downstairs, and would arrive at the living room door only to be stopped in my tracks by my mother who was pointing to the kitchen.

My father had prepared a big wholesome breakfast for all of us. It contained all the great ingredients that every Doctor will pooh-pooh - bacon, eggs, pancakes, and homemade hash browns. He also made a homemade egg nog, which would appall most dieticians or nutritionists - it was made with unpasteurized milk from a local farmer and eggs. I loved this homemade egg nog recipe, and one glass would usually fill me up. We would eat our breakfast and drink our egg nog as quickly as possible, only to be informed that we could open our presents once the dishes were done.

Talk about whining and wailing - the anticipation of opening the presents was killing us! After much knashing of teeth- this was tortuous for us kids. We would announce that all of the dishes were done. Our mother would come in and check and make sure that everything was in order. If she found anything not to her liking, we had to rectify the problem. If our parents were satisfied that everything was acceptable, we were let into the treasure room to open our presents.

It was usually three hours before we were allowed to start opening our presents. I laugh when I think about this instant gratification generation waiting that long before they could open their presents. My children start whining and complaining if they have to wait 15 minutes for some lazy bones to get out of bed.