I guess most of us think about traditions more around this special time of year. Initially I wanted to write about traditions cultivated in my family, the ones that I remember from my childhood, the ones I grew up with and took with me. But yesterday, when decorating our Christmas tree with little G. I thought about it and it hit me that now it is me who is setting up some traditions. I'm no longer a child and I have a child myself. Looking at G. happily helping me with decorations I thought of creating memories for her and traditions that one day she will leave her nest with. I thought about how important it is. I carry on traditions from my home but at the same time I add new ones; things we never did when I was a child. Baking gingerbread cookies, for example. I only started baking them after I emigrated to England. Since then every year (except for last year) I make gingerbread cookies and hang them on Christmas tree. This year G. is big enough to help with baking; I'd like this gingerbread baking to become a tradition in our little family as well as hand made decorations and hand made gifts: this year we have prepared all decorations by hands (only the lights were bought) and some of the presents are hand crafted as well (in my case, knitted). These are the new things that we add up to a long list of traditions that we carry from our backgrounds. We're mixing three cultures and traditions this Christmas: Polish, Italian and British. There will be Christmas Eve celebrated in Polish way: big dinner with borscht, dumplings and fish with the additional sit at the table for an unexpected guest. The gifts will be opened on Christmas morning as it is in Italy and England (in Poland many families open their gifts after Christmas Eve supper). There will be Italian panettone and mince pies, traditional British Christmas pies.There will be lots of resting too. So much to look forward to...
I'm off to find out about traditions all around the globe. Thank you, Cherry B for a fantastic theme this week. For more corner views, please visit lovely Theresa.
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
