As a kid the whole family and friends of the family would get together for a large Christmas Eve night of singing Christmas songs, a vast dinner, and we would watch the old family Christmas passion plays on 8mm film. I have 12 aunts and uncles on my Dads side and they all have children, so you can imagine how big it was. In 1986 my Grandfather passed away and the tradition ended, as he was the glue that had kept the family so close and the family ranch house that has been in my family since the 1890's was sold. I have been a little melancholy about Christmas ever since.
I now celebrate Festivus, for the rest of us. During the last few weeks in December is when Festivus takes place. Family and friends get together at the dinner table and have "the Airing of Grievances". During this time, we share with family and friends all the ways they had disappointed over the past year. After the Airing of Grievances, we get together the same night to perform the "Feats of Strength". This is where the head of the household tests his/her strength with another friend or family member. The great honor is given out to a different person each year. Festivus is not over until the Feats of Strength have been completed. No, I do not have a tree; I have a pole, no decorations. Tinsel is very distracting so there are no decorations. The pole is tall, silver, hollow, long, skinny, and heavy. The tree serves no real purpose, but it can be incorporated into the Feats of Strength celebration. :confused:
Actually, I celebrate Christmas Eve at my friend Sandra’s house with her family and then Sandra and I go to Mo’s Liquors and see what we can find in the way of gifts then we go to midnight mass. On Christmas day I spend the day at my Godparents house with friends and family. Last year I bought a gas powered fryer and cooked pheasants and turkey. I did not hunt pheasants this year, so it will be a turkey and spiral ham. We then watch the Christmas Story about Ralphy and his dreams of a Red Rider BB gun.