Happy Holidays - traditions?

GothicGremlin

For us -- I have a very large Italian family (is there any other kind?). Usually, in non-covid years, it's not uncommon to have 40 family members sitting at the table on Christmas Eve. The food is always some form of pasta, likely homemade ravioli or mostaccioli with spaghetti sauce that has cooked all day - and with all the sides (meatballs, Italian sausages, pizza, etc). Christmas day isn't really a thing in our family. It's yummy leftovers, and hanging out, but that's about it.

Since we're still in covid times, we had to do Zoom again, same as last year. Not the same, but at least we could all see each other.  Zoom has a side benefit that Peggy can stay in memory care, not disrupt her routine very much, and still feel a part of the festivities. I told her it's like the Brady Bunch theme song, only it's all of us in little boxes. That got a smile out of her. Peggy was all smiles today - which was great.

Since it really isn't Christmas for me unless I have the traditional food, I spent the day making sauce. It was great for my mental health.  I caught a break today - peace, great food, and a happy Peggy.

Usually if I'm in town I'll go to my goth club's Christmas event, which takes place the night of the 25th . It's the one time of the year where entire families are welcome, so it's not uncommon to see children dancing with their parents (cuter than you think).  The DJs are careful with their musical choices when there are kids present, so I predict we won't be hearing Closer by Nine Inch Nails. So tomorrow night I'll probably attend virtually. Who knows maybe I'll dress up and dance at home. 

BassetHoundAnn

Hey, GothicGremlin! The Italian family Christmas feasts sound wonderful! Italian food is the ultimate comfort-and-love food, but with such feasts it's not the food that's so important but the joy and togetherness that's shared. Hopefully next year your family can gather again in person. 

I'm glad the Zoom gathering went well, and Betty enjoyed it. 

I did comfort-cooking this year--a big pan of lasagna and lots of chocolate chip cookies--and gave some to anyone who stopped by, or who I visited. And took a big bowl of cookies to the aids at mom's memory care. Mom wasn't in a terribly festive spirit, but she did eat a lot of cookies. And that was it for this year. No tree, no cards. Too sad and tired. Hopefully next year will be better. "Someday soon we will all be together, if the fates allow. Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow." 

The Goth club Christmas shindig sounds GREAT! 

The best of the season to you and your loved ones! 

jfkoc

By this time we are most likely through muddleing through and ready to call it a day. My hope is that everyone had a moment of joy to look back on.

GothicGremlin

Thanks BassetHoundAnn!  Best to you and yours as well. Your lasagna and cookies sound wonderful.

I'm hoping for a better Christmas next year, and I'm hoping that Peggy will be able to enjoy it. She enjoyed everything this year, such that it was, but honestly I'm not sure she could explain what the Christmas holiday is at this point (I'm talking about the Catholic version since that's how we were raised).  That said, she was in good spirits today.  I really can't ask for more than that.

Christmas goth party is starting soon - they're streaming it from the club, so I can dance at home. It'll definitely help burn away some of the stress of the day.

abc123

Merry Christmas Goth! I’m glad Peggy had a good day. Hoping you enjoyed every moment of the Zoom party and were able to dance your heart out!!!!

BassetHoundAnn

abc123 wrote:

Merry Christmas Goth! I’m glad Peggy had a good day. Hoping you enjoyed every moment of the Zoom party and were able to dance your heart out!!!!

Fer sure! We all need opportunities to dance! I hope you enjoyed the Goth ball, Goth, even if it was on Zoom. The thought makes me want to go Goth myself. <dancing, dancing> <smile>

Happy Holidays to All!

GothicGremlin

Thanks you guys.    The goth Christmas party was great. That particular club has a lot of cameras scattered around (they don't keep the footage), so when they stream it, you can see much of what is going on in the club. Not quite like being there, but it's something.  They also provide a side "chat", so while we're all watching from home, we can talk to whoever is online - usually about 30 people.

I think even the limited Christmas we had wore Peggy out. She was great Friday and Saturday, but today we're back to word salad, and the inability to track conversations. Her mood remains cheery and she told me today that she's happy.  She's always had the ability to make lemonade out of lemons and I'm glad that hasn't left her.