pantstributor

A Very Greenhouse Christmas

Hello pantsworld. Today I am lucky enough to have a chance to contribute to this lovely blog. Ever since Sarah asked me to be a pantstributor I knew what I wanted to write about: New Jersey. It is true that many (especially Henri) do not truly understand the amazing qualities of this state and I feel it is my duty to inform the world (especially pantsworld) of just how amazing Jersey is. However I have been really feeling the holiday spirit and have been pretty homesick..really wanting to see this little girl.

(however Alexa is not this little anymore cause this is a year old. but that is why i am so excited to see her)

So maybe I will get another opportunity to be a pantstributor to do the blog I have been thinking about, but today I cannot help but give my How To Guide of Celebrating a Jewish Christmas. You might remember me briefly mentioning this amazing holiday in my interview on this fine blog. But today you will get a step by step guide so that you can celebrate yourself one day. Growing up in a mainly Jewish town, I got teased a bit for not doing the traditional Chinese Food and movie on Christmas, because we actually celebrated, but it was totally worth it. So let the celebrating begin. Our Jewish Christmas!

(That’s right, they make stockings just for Jewish families)

Step 1 – Christmas Eve

Every year on Christmas Eve my dad reads us Twas the NIght Before Christmas. This must always happen before the party begins and before any present can be opened. Now it is not just a simple reading. While my dad is reading nobody can make any sound, if we did make any noise he would have to start over..which happens a lot with 4 young children. However we continued this tradition even when we were all grown up and off to college. Every year we sit on the couch and listen to Papa G read the book. But of course it isn’t just a boring story, my dad puts his own twists into the story to really get us into the holiday mood. Here is a video of him beginning the story last year. It has became a little more exciting to read the story the last 4 years since we have young children around the house again.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcDkTmx62-c]

So then after we finish the story we get to open one present and then go to our annual Christmas Eve party at my sister’s house and eat lots of Italian food. Then of course we go home to get to bed early so that Santa can come.

Step 2 – Santa fills your stockings

Now what? Well first you have to wake up to this!!

(my dad’s Christmas outfit that continues to grow with additions each year)

But then the real fun begins, opening the stockings. Me and my sister Stacey are always the first to wake up, so we go downstairs and sneak into the stockings. With our large and continuing to grow family there are usually a few stockings.

So then we open them one at a time, youngest to oldest (I was so happy to have a nephew so I didn’t have to go first anymore) and of course we clap for every gift we open). I get the most excited of course.

Santa usually thinks our family needs to smell better, so we get a lot of deodorant and stuff like that. My great uncle always asked if we were trying to give him a hint, and so began the Stinky Club.

And of course when there are children around is there any better gift?

Step 3 – Breakfast

Before moving on to the real presents we have to fuel up. So what better way on Christmas then a real Jewish breakfast…Bagels, Lox, Pickled Herring, Whitefish Salad..the works

(sorry can’t find my food pictures)

Step 4 – Time for the real presents

Our family tends to go overboard… but it is important that your stack of presents is taller than you.

Then start opening..of course one at a time. Youngest to oldest. Clapping for each present (this part lasts at least 6 hours) You must show off your presents by holding them up so we can cheer.

If you are too little to hold them up yourself you can get help.

Step 5 -Fake Presents

Always wrap up fake presents (usually items from each other’s bedroom) and put many little boxes wrapped inside each other so it takes forever to open and only a few of us think it is funny (this is a tradition that started years ago from my brother who liked to put cans of beer in my stocking when I was younger..what a prankster). The tradition is mainly between my sister Meredith and me now.

(Note how happy she looks opening that box of gum from her room)

Step 6 – Eat Lots of Candy

My dad keeps it out for a month and refills it daily… yum yum.

Step 7 – Play Yatzee and Drink Harvey Wallbangers!

No seriously. What better way to celebrate then with yatzee… a 3 or 4 hour intense game where the winning card stays on the fridge for a year (Please note I WON LAST YEAR).

My dad is chanting – “Yatzee, Yatzee, Yatzee do or die!!”

I told you it was intense. Alex almost cracked under the pressure – We do allow visitors to play.

Kiley looking serious cause he might be losing.

So following these seven steps will lead you to enjoying your first Jewish Christmas. And if you are thinking there was more Christmas than Jewish, take a look at the cake we eat.

© 2008 Poshdeluxe.