A Time for Traditions
by Camilla Hibbert
Traditions are, in many ways, a funny thing. Often accepted and celebrated without a question of where they’ve come from or why we do them. Fir trees are heaved indoors to stand tall, emitting their distinct scent. They twinkle with warm lights and sparkle with red and green baubles. We touched on the origin of this particular tradition in one of our recent Thoughts. In the late 1840s, families in Germany began using evergreen trees as decorative symbols to celebrate the religious feast day. The ‘paradise tree’ was set up in their homes on 24th December and was decorated with various fruit and nuts.
At this time of year, traditions are what makes the festive season so special. There are certain traditions that we all get on board with, but there are others that make everyone’s Christmas a little different.
From a bountiful breakfasts and long winter walks to boozy brandy butter and weird and wonderful games, is there anything better than uncovering other people’s quirky family traditions?
Let the preparations begin!
As with any holiday, I am all about an itinerary. And all my itineraries revolve around food! What are we eating, at what time, and cooked by who.
My notes are populated with roles and responsibilities, timings and agendas. and of course, a dress codes (which Charlie always disregards)!
With me on the nibbles and dad on the drinks, no one is going peckish and no glass is ever empty. Poppy’s on decorations and ensures the table is sparkling, and mum and Charlie are in the kitchen cooking up a storm. With washing up duties pre allocated, there’s no room for anyone getting off light!
Christmas morning - a big, bountiful breakfast
Christmas Day always begins with a hearty breakfast - this is my favourite part of the day. A pyjama-clad family members amble downstairs to the smell of toast and scrambled eggs and the jolly tune of a festive playlist.
Breakfast is followed by a long winters walk with all the dogs.
On the breakfast menu…
Scrambled Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Sourdough Toast
Panatone
Champagne!
Pressie Time
My family have always been on the receiving end of eco presents - everything from plastic free dish scrubbers and juppy-bags, to shampoo bars. While they don’t have the shimmer of some gifts, I can safely say they have been used the most and for the longest!
Whether buying something for siblings, friends, parents, partners or kids, Christmas is the perfect time to gift an inspirational eco-switch. Perhaps it’s just a stocking filler, or the hero gift, gifts with a story are always well received.
Festive feasting
With Charlie and mum at the helm, Christmas Day feast is a splendour. However, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Granny’s Christmas Pudding or Grandma’s boozy brandy butter. Head to our thoughts for a full suite of recipes from roast goose and all the trimmings, to the perfect pudding from Granny Bertioli herself!
The Hat Game
This game isn’t reserved just for Christmas, but Christmas Day is not over until everyone has donned a silly hat and tried desperately to act as many bizarre characters as humanly possible.
After lunch, we retreat to the drawing room, digestif of choice in hand. The Hat Game is a firm family favourite and brings so much laughter to us all.
First step, everyone dashes around the house and delves deep into cupboards to unearth their hat of choice. The family is then split into two teams, one led by Milly, the other by Molly.
Do note, the hats bear no relevance to the games itself, they are there purely for comedy value.
The Rules
Names must be household names, you want them to be tough to guess, but ultimately guessable!
When the timer ends, the round ends - no more guessing!
Round One: You can speak and act,
Round Two: You can speak only one word, and act.
Round Three: No speaking, only acting.
Round Four (not for the light hearted!): Only facial expressions!
Everyone must wear a very silly hat at all times.
How to Play
Step One. Everyone writes a handful of names onto scraps of paper and drops them into a hat.
Step Two. The games commence.
The rounds are split into one minute gos. The first player steps up, the timing starts and the guessing begins. The aim is to get through as many names as possible in your one minute go.
Once your time is up, your go is over and it switches to the other team.
As you go through the round, collect the names you guess correctly. You get one point for every name guessed.
The round ends when each player has had a go. Make a note of the scores.If there are any names left over in the hat, these need to be discarded. Put all the names that have been guessed back in the hat and commence to he next round.
The names are the same in each round, but as the communication gets tougher, you’ll be thankful the names have been said already in the previous round!
If you are brave (or silly) enough to enter round four, the player kneels down behind a screen or a blanket to just show their head. Commence the round with guessing of only facial expression!
