In case you didn't know, today is Ukrainian Christmas. We don't celebrate it per se, however, when our sons were little, I decided to make them a Ukrainian Christmas stocking so they would have something a little special at the very end of the Christmas season. This way, I also had an excuse to make the holidays last that much longer. (As I write this, I'm listening to a CD playing Silent Night).David and Zachary have enjoyed all the Christmas traditions we've kept in our family over the years and practically demand that we do each and every one of them year after year. Of course everyone receives Christmas stockings on Christmas morning, but we have quite a few important traditions of our own. Some of the other traditions include walking through the Alberta's Legislature Grounds to see the Christmas lights (if it's -30 Celcius, we're walking briskly!) followed by especially decedent hot chocolate. Another is the Christmas Pickle. The pickle-shaped ornament is hidden in the tree on Christmas Eve. Who ever finds it first on Christmas morning receives an extra little present. David found it this year and received a can of Tim Horton's hot chocolate. The last tradition I'll mention before I sign off for this morning is the reading of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. I don't recall what year we started reading it ~ sometime when the boys were in elementary school ~ but it's a great read for kids of all ages.
"Srozhdestvom Kristovym" everyone!
"Srozhdestvom Kristovym" everyone!
PHOTOS: 2008 Ukrainian Christmas stockings stuffed and ready to be opened; The Christmas Pickle; My mother-in-law in traditional Ukrainian clothing when she was a young woman
2 comments:
Great holiday traditions, Dawn! I have the pickle ornie, but we've never played that game!
My grandmother was born in the Ukraine, but lived in Latvia most of her life. She's going to be 96 next month!
Beautiful photo of your mother-in-law Dawn! Can I hid a real pickle? (Though I know who would find it...Josh, the pickle hound!)
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