Daily writing prompt

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.

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Every year, about a month before Christmas, I get a text or email, usually from my cousin (bless her for thinking ahead!) that says we have to start getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner.

My mom hosts. She is Italian, and she loves to have the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve.

So this text message usually has a link that I can’t access because I’m one of the only people without an iPhone in my family. Then I get an email. And it has a long list of foods along with who is bringing them. I usually wait until the day before, since I work early in the day Christmas Eve and I don’t want to bring anything critical, ingredient-wise.

Usually I bring some vegetables on a plate and some dip. And money to chip in.

Can I just say it is an obscene amount of food. But it is always good. I’m usually full by the time the appetizers are done. But we’re just getting started. But I do love the appetizers: There’s a cheese platter, and my sister always manages to find these cheeses that are amazing that I’ve never tried before. There’s honey sometimes and almonds, these fancy marcona almonds. And crackers, very thin and plain. Olives, lots of olives. Salmon with capers.

Someone will start frying smelt. There’s pasta with anchoives and capers. There’s lobster in some form (usually lobster rolls) even though technically, they’re not a fish. There’s fish stew some years and those are my favorite.

By the time dessert roles around, you’re ready to roll down the street to your car.

There’s a little bar set up in the kitchen with all kinds of mixers. I stick to the seltzer waters because of the long drive home.

But the best part is seeing family. Playing my moms piano and singing carols. Exchanging presents. Wishing we had longer to spend together.

Every year I joke that I should be put in charge. I’ll bring a tuna casserole. Some goldfish crackers. A gelatine mold in the shape of a mermaid that no one will want to eat. Unbelievably, no one takes me up on my offer.

What are your family traditions? I can’t wait to read some other posts! 🙂