Favorite Holiday Traditions

Submitted by tashabunn t3_zkw0w0 in newjersey

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

I asked the same question at thanksgiving and I loved reading your responses.

My favorite NJ specific tradition was driving around to see Christmas lights at PNC Bank Arts Center (like everything else it’s a bit expensive now though)

My favorite non-NJ tradition is baking cookies with my dad. We use his mom’s recipes. We only bake these cookies at Christmas time so they’re extra special. My kids join in now too.

I can’t wait to read about your traditions! Give me all the details.

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6Emptybottles t1_j04owe8 wrote

I'm surprised no one has said Christmas Eve death by fish dinner! Grew up with Italian neighbors and was invited for as long as I remember. 7 fishes in no order, eel,sardines, shrimp, crab cakes, fish chowder, scungilli salad,smeltz, calamari, greens, pasta. The home made wine from the year before would be finished and the new young wine tasted. They all have passed but I still do seafood just not as much. I'm married so we blend the fish dinner to only 2 or 3 dishes. I think back and can't believe how much food was made and how expensive it must have been even back then. It was like the whole neighborhood was there at any point in the night. It was magical to a young kid.

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tashabunn OP t1_j04zrxx wrote

My mom, who grew up in an Italian Catholic family, always talks about 7 fishes dinner on Christmas Eve!

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DSJ13 t1_j02oxfo wrote

Just jumping in for the yearly ‘DO NOT GO TO THE PNC LIGHT SHOW’ PSA.

You will be stuck in line for many hours. Skip it.

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tashabunn OP t1_j02vcdr wrote

I went last year and you’re absolutely right. We stayed in line forever. Once you’re in, you’re stuck. And kids especially don’t like endless wait times.

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Luckilygemini t1_j01w5ja wrote

Non NJ tradition...I just started the magical pickle with my kids, but I've added a bacon and Bigfoot to it. The presents are for the family to enjoy together, but they just get to open them.

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BF_2 t1_j01ylci wrote

Christmas isn't really my holiday -- I do gift exchange, but little else, and as little as that as possible.

But the past couple years I've made my own wreath for the front door. Simple to do. A nice little craft with a result I display. (Saves me $25+ too!) I taught a friend how to do this this year.

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BlazinBladeRanger t1_j03wnqp wrote

Taking the train into the city to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree and the Macy's windows.

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riem37 t1_j04cwlb wrote

Getting sufgoniyot from as many different bakeries as possible

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weaselpoopcoffee1 t1_j04liou wrote

My mom was a baker and my wife is a cook so I bake some of the things my mom used to make. I give them out to friends and neighbors.

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