Are You A FOODIE?

Child’s Play
by Erika Chan-Moore
As I was driving to work the other day, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw city workers hanging up “Candy Cane Lane” in Downtown Visalia. The annual Candy Cane Lane Parade that happened the Monday after Thanksgiving celebrated its 65th anniversary this year. I remember being a little girl dressed in earmuffs and a warm coat, sipping hot chocolate and watching the marching bands, horses, and decorated floats.

Now my own little girls look forward to the same Candy Cane Lane parade every year. For the last 3 years, they’ve had the opportunity to be on the ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum float and wave to the thousands of people sipping their own hot chocolate and waving back.

Holiday traditions are something that I look forward to and I’m always looking for new ones to start with my own children. I asked Facebook friends, “What are some of the holiday traditions that you share with your children?” The responses I received were clever, fun, traditional, and others not so traditional.

One of my favorites came from a friend in Hawaii who makes a giant marble maze course every Christmas Eve with her family, adding a new piece to their “Haba Wooden Marble Maze” collection every year. They creatively add pots, pans, and dominoes to make outrageous marble mazes. The parents seem to have the most fun building it together.

Eddie and Susie Perez of Visalia read the story, “Elf on the Shelf” to their kids every holiday season. The book explains that Santa knows who is naughty and/or nice because he sends a scout elf to every home. This elf watches children by day and reports to Santa each night. When children awake, the elf on the shelf has returned from the North Pole and can be found hiding in a different location. (Parents, this can be your tradition, too. Visit www.elfontheshelf.com)

Some other traditions shared included leaving carrots out for Santa’s reindeer, new pajamas on Christmas Eve, reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by the fireplace, adding new ornaments to the tree, and giving baskets of homemade goodies to the needy.

Last year for the first time, my husband and I recorded some Christmas songs (bluegrass style) with the kids, and gave cd’s to our friends and family. We hope to add to the song collection each year, give an inexpensive, meaningful gift, and preserve our daughters’ sweet little voices!

Throughout the holiday season, we also watch many Christmas movies. Two of my personal favorites: “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street.” Singing Christmas carols while decorating the tree or making cookies are memories that I hope my children will always remember.

A holiday tradition that still happens on my dad’s side of the family is called “Bargain of the Year.” Every person pitches his or her best bargain of the past year and we vote for our favorite. This event has become more and more competitive each Christmas, and the amount of laughter seems to increase as well. The tradition was started over 30 years as a result of my grandmother, Pauline, who was an amazing bargain shopper. She would win every year with her ability to save thousands of dollars by simply clipping coupons.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, traditions are important for families because they provide opportunities to create meaningful memories and keep the family legacy going. Don’t hesitate to try out some new traditions this Holiday Season! You may create a new tradition that will keep going for generations to come!