Doug Smith: Family Christmas Traditions

Family Christmas TRADITIONS

story and recipe by Doug Smith

Get more from Doug Smith by following him on Facebook and Instagram at "Doug the Food Guy". Find Doug the FoodGuy on Spotify and Apple podcasts @The Pizzeria & Enzo Show

Christmas is almost here and for me, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas traditions run deep for us and I would love to share a few of ours and hope to hear about some of yours. A tradition my wife Jackie and I started years ago is shopping for the perfect ornaments. When we go on vacation, we find ourselves looking for ornaments that will go side by side with the handmade angels, snowflakes, or white doves that adorn our tree honoring years past. I would say our tree is more of a family story told with small additions added one year at a time. Some chapters get hidden in the back out of sight by young adults (namely our children). Starting in mid-October, yes, I know that’s early, my daughter Savannah and I begin baking our Christmas cakes. Over the years this has become quite an event, we even have people ask to come help and be a part of this tradition. We consider this a great compliment. Another tradition is seeing the lights! We start right after Thanksgiving and visit them throughout December. We make lots of trips to several local light displays. Some we drive through and some are for walking around and seeing who else you know that came out on that night. These are only a few of our family traditions. I encourage you to keep your traditions going or start a new one this year. Spending quality time with friends and family makes it special. Put on a pot of coffee or make hot cocoa. A personal favorite of mine is Hot Wassail. Invite a few people over and celebrate the reason for the season. A shortlist of popular Traditions from around the world: • Christmas Movies • 12 Days of Christmas • Advent calendars • Pickle in the Tree • Elf on the Shelf • Baking cookies • The Nutcracker

Share your family Christmas traditions by uploading pictures and stories on my 'Doug the FoodGuy' Facebook page. Merry Chritmas!

BEST EVER HOT WASSAIL RECIPE

INGREDIENTS • 2 quarts apple cider • ½ cup lemon juice • 4 cinnamon sticks • 1 pinch ground nutmeg • 2 cups orange juice • 12 whole cloves • 1 pinch ground ginger

METHOD In a large pot over low heat, combine apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice. Season with cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer. Serve hot.