I love traditions. They remind us that we are part of a history, provide meaning, comfort, a sense of belonging, and nurture our connections to our families, friends, and communities. I stand on the shoulders of giants, but I’m far removed from the origins of many traditions I hold dear. Innovation and adaptation have been instrumental in maintaining the Christmas traditions I love.
Family Christmases
I grew up in a celebratory environment. Looking at December photographs of my refugee family’s early years in the United States, I always see a Christmas tree. We ate lechón on Nochebuena and opened presents on Christmas morning. I believed in Santa Claus and Los Reyes Magos. I left grass in a pair of shoes to feed their camels when they visited on the night of Epiphany and left me one more gift. I sang along to “El Burrito Sabanero” on the radio. I was happy.
As I grew a little older, my family got bigger, and so did the Christmas decorating. We went from a tree to lights, snowmen, nutcrackers, red ribbons, bells, and candy canes. My mother switched the bathroom and kitchen hand towels for Christmas-themed ones, and Christmas was in every room. I outgrew Santa Claus, and Nochebuena dinners morphed into all-night parties where we exchanged some gifts at midnight. We still had Chinese takeaway on Christmas Day at my godparents’ home.
Deaths, divorces, estrangements, and a global health pandemic have changed family Christmases. They are smaller and quieter, but my mother still decorates, makes a piernita on Nochebuena, and gifts are still exchanged on Christmas morning.
In addition to the family traditions, there were always office Christmas parties, summer solstice rituals, and gift exchanges with friends. It was a happy time.
Christmas in Australia: the early years
When I moved to Australia, I struggled to adjust to Christmas here. It has never felt as festive in large part because it’s summer and many people travel during this time. On top of that, my husband didn’t have pleasant Christmases during his childhood, so he was not too keen on putting up a tree or exchanging gifts.
We relied on my sister-in-law and her husband, who held large, family Christmas gatherings at their house, but those stopped when they moved to a smaller home. I lost my zeal for Christmas. I found it all a bit sad, and the holidays made me feel very homesick
Christmas traditions renewed
It took me years to learn that I could create Christmas anywhere. My husband softened to the holidays, slowly and naturally in his own time. I also became more flexible and let go of expectations about how Christmas is supposed to be.
Over the years, Christmas was renewed in our home. I decided I wanted a tree one year, but I didn’t want to spend too much time decorating it. My husband made a small tree out of copper tubing. We added lights and nothing more. It was beautiful, simple, minimalist, and just enough. Then, we started having Christmas dinner. I introduced the Nochebuena dinner along with crema de vie (Cuban, boozy egg nog) and rum cake for dessert. I started making pavlova on Christmas Day. The gifts came as well.
This year, we put up a traditional Christmas tree once again. I was ready for it. My husband turned up with one, and we went to a Christmas store together to buy some decorations. We opted for ornaments of native animals and balls designed by Aboriginal artists and decorated the tree together.
We had a casual barbecue and invited the family. It was the first time we’d gathered in about two years since the pandemic. We enjoyed the warmth of the summer sun and delicious lamb chops. We pulled Christmas bon-bons open, told the bad jokes they include, and wore tissue paper crowns. It was an enjoyable afternoon.
Christmas on the go
Like a lot of Melbournians, my husband and I travel over Christmas. We’ve never gone far from home, usually down to the coast; I love the ocean. This year, we’re exploring the mountains and Gold Rush era settlements in Victoria’s High Country. I’ve brought Christmas with me.
I set up an altar in honour of the Deer Mother. Earlier this week, I virtually attended a Yule ritual with my Miami-based coven and observed a quiet Summer Solstice on my own. We’ll have our Nochebuena dinner tonight, and my husband will cook Christmas dinner tomorrow. Of course, there will be gifts, and I still listen to “El Burrito Sabanero”.
Happy Holidays
I hope you’ve had a beautiful and magical Solstice. May the Sun always warm our hearts. Feliz Navidad con amor y alegrÃa a mi familia y amigos. And Merry Christmas, everyone.
