Is it me or does it seem like Christmas is getting even more commercialized?  Are you tired of doing the same old activities every holiday season?  How about having your family celebrate and old fashioned Christmas this year – maybe like you did when you were a child!  Here are a few suggestions you might incorporate into your old fashioned family celebration.

Instead of the tried and true ham or turkey dinner, try a roasted duck as your main meat dish.  Not only is it lean and healthy, it is very easy to cook.  If you can’t find a duck, try a pheasant or quail as a main dish to add some nostalgia to your dinner table.  Other things you can serve to get that old fashioned feeling include flavored teas, apple tarts, sugar and gingerbread cookies.  Your Mom, Grandmother or Aunts might even have some traditional family recipes you can use. 

Don’t trim the tree early – do it on Christmas Eve.  After your meal gather your family and friends together to decorate the tree.  Pop some popcorn and string it to adorn the tree.  Once the tree has been decorated, gather together and read aloud The Night Before Christmas or even the Christmas story directly from the Bible.  This will bring the true meaning of Christmas as your focus of your holiday celebration.

Handmade gifts are a reminder of the Christmas celebrations of our youth.  How about hand knitted hats and scarves?  If you enjoy baking make some cookies, breads and candies to give to family and friends. 

Bringing a bit of the past into your Christmas celebration this year will help to create beautiful memories for your children for years to come.