Christmas Countdown

Christmas Countdown

Traditions, Recipes, Songs, History, and

Other Activities for the Advent Season

by Nina Ely

How to use this book

I originally started this book as an online project in 2011 on facebook. Each day in December, leading up to Christmas, I’d make multiple posts a day with recipes, song lyrics, and ideas for making the holiday a little brighter. I linked to other articles, and posted Christmas videos from youtube. The next two years I got even more ambitious, writing directions for making your own gifts and ornaments, and talking about traditions in other countries. At other times during the year, I posted occasional articles about how to keep Christmas all year long.

Now, for my friends and family, and readers of the site I’ve never met, I’ve compiled most of the posts from the past three years. They are arranged the same way they appeared on the internet, one day at a time, with the food, crafts, traditions, and songs under each day.

Here is what is included in each category:

Gift of the Day: An idea for a small gift or good deed you can give to brighten someone’s day.

Cookie of the Day: A recipe for a favorite Christmas treat.

Carol of the Day: Learn all the verses to a favorite song.

Dinner Menu Recipe of the Day: There are four full Christmas dinner menus included in this book, and this listing has an item from one of the menus.

Movie of the Day: A review of a movie or special to watch this year.

Tradition of the Day: Something you might like to try with your family.

Ornament How-to of the Day: Make simple decorations for friends or your own tree.

Album of the Day: A review of Christmas music.

Casual Recipe of the Day: Recipes for easy dinners, entertaining, or potlucks.

Gift Idea of the Day: Items you can make or put together inexpensively for Christmas giving.

Country of the Day: The history and traditions of the season in anther land, with a special recipe from that country included.

Reading of the Day: A book, short story, or article to read (and sometimes read aloud.)

Scripture of the Day: A bible passage to reflect on as you remember the birth of the Savior.

There will also be additional extras throughout the book. If you’re looking for something specific, there is an index in the back. I hope you enjoy it, and you and your family have a lifetime of Merry Christmases!

Nina Ely, July 2014

December 1st- 24 Days Until Christmas

It is December at last! Many people don’t wish to rush the season as those selling Christmas merchandise do, holding off their holiday celebration until the Advent season arrives. But even the Scrooges among us cannot begrudge Christmas merriment once the last month of the year has arrived. Christmas is only three and a half weeks off. Time to prepare for the big day!

Gift of the Day: Bring a cup of coffee or other special treat to a co-worker who seems to be under a lot of stress. If you don’t work, treat someone else: the school crossing guard, your hairdresser, your bus driver, or a neighbor.

Cookie of the Day: Scottish Shortbread- A simple rolled cookie, with only three ingredients, it has a delicate taste and pale color. It can easily be jazzed up with sprinkles or small candies on top.

Ingredients: ¾ cup butter or margarine

¼ cup sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

-Mix butter and sugar thoroughly. Sift in flour and work it in with your hands. Chill dough.-Heat over to 350 degrees F. Roll dough about ½ inch thick, and cut into shapes using small cookie cutters. Place on ungreased baking sheet, and bake 10 to 25 min. (depending on size.) These cookies don’t brown, so watch them carefully and if you see them start to color, remove them from the oven immediately.

(I’ve found there is a bit of a learning curve with these cookies, and I inevitably overcook the first batch. Start with just a few cookies at time, and watch carefully until you figure out how long they need to cook.

~~~~~

Gift ideas for Grandparents: Framed family photos or loaded digital frame, Photo gifts (books, ornaments, etc.), T-shirt from grandchild’s school or sports team, Gift card for favorite restaurant, Tickets to play, concert, or sporting event.

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Carol of the Day: I Saw Three Ships- This is a great song to sing with your children, as even the young ones can follow with the simple repetition, and the words are easy to learn.

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day? (repeat as above)

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there…

Pray, wither sailed those ships all three…

O they sailed into Bethlehem…

And all the bells on earth shall ring…

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing…

The First Sunday in Advent

The four weeks leading up to Christmas are called Advent on the Christian calendar. If you attend a Christian church, you are probably familiar with the Advent Wreath, as it is often featured in Sunday morning services during this season. It is a simple ring of four candles, sometimes surrounded by greenery, sometimes in an ornate metal or ceramic holder, and one candle is lit each week leading up to Christmas. There is also a fifth candle which will be added Christmas Eve. This is a very nice tradition to follow at home, with an Advent Wreath displayed on the dining room table or other prominent spot during the holiday season.

This can be as simple as four candleholders arranged in a circle, perhaps with greens or other ornaments. A lot of religious supply stores sell special Advent Wreath holders, but you can also just get the candles. Lately, it’s become customary to use three purple candles and one pink, but any color candles will do. Place the wreath somewhere the whole family can easily gather, and at some time during the evening bring everyone together for the lighting.

[Note: All churches follow slightly different liturgies for the Advent Wreath. This is a basic family version based on a few traditions. If you belong to a church, you may want to consult with your own clergy for a denomination-specific version.]

            The first candle reminds us that Advent is a time of waiting, and as we wait for Christmas during these four weeks, we should think about the people of God who waited so long for the coming of the Messiah. When you light the candle, talk together about times you may have waited for something. Talk about how Jesus’ coming was foretold a long time before he was born, and how we are now waiting for him to come again. Pray together, thanking God for the promise he made to his people.

            Some appropriate scripture includes Psalm 122, Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44, and Romans 13:11-14. If you’d like to sing a hymn, a good one is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Dinner Menu Recipe of the Day: First menu- The Ham Dinner- Usually I cook a big ham dinner for our New Year’s Eve party, and ham or pork is traditionally served for the new year in Austria and Germany, where the pig is a symbol of good luck. But it also makes a great Christmas dinner. I collected this recipe onto a card so long ago that I forget its origin, but it probably goes back to the 1950s, when Hawaiian cuisine was trendy and exotic.

Main Dish: Hawaiian Holiday Ham-

Ingredients: 1 ham

whole cloves

1-20 oz. can of pineapple rings in heavy syrup

½ c. brown sugar

1 can lemon-lime soda (like 7-Up)

maraschino cherries

-Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

-Place ham in a roasting pan and score in a diamond pattern. Press a clove into the center of each diamond. Drain pineapple, reserving syrup. Mix syrup, sugar, and soda together, and coat ham with mixture. Arrange pineapple rings over ham, and place a cherry in the center of each ring. Secure all with toothpicks.

-Bake uncovered for 4-5 hours, basting frequently, until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Remove toothpicks before serving.

Movie of the Day:. Love, Actually- This 2003 comedy features pretty much every British actor you know in ten sometimes-interlocking stories that take place in the weeks leading up to Christmas. A few amount to little more than a one-shot joke, but the stories range from the unabashedly romantic tale of the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) romancing his shy new staffer (Martine McCutcheon) to the bittersweet recounting of a woman (Laura Linney) bound to loneliness by family circumstances. This shows up on cable pretty regularly, and it’s worth the effort to catch it.

Tradition of the Day: Advent Calendars- When I was little, we always started the Christmas season with the advent calendar. This was a large card with a Christmas scene and lots of little windows you could open to reveal pictures. There was one numbered window for each day in December, up until Christmas Eve. You can still get these cards at card shops and religious supply stores, and sometimes at those pop-up Christmas shops at the mall.

These days, advent calendars have become more elaborate and are a popular craft project for the holidays. There are cloth hangings with little pockets that conceal a sweet or small trinket for each day, or more elaborate sculptural arrangements with boxes or drawers for each day.

If you’d like to start this tradition in your family, the paper calendars are a good place to start. Or you can make your own simple calendar by gluing 24 chocolate kisses (in their wrappers) to a decorated piece of sturdy cardboard or a long ribbon and open one each night until the big day arrives.

Ornament How-to of the Day: Wooden Santa Faces-

Materials: Small wooden balls or beads (about ¾ to 1)

Red felt

White fake fur (long fur)

White chenille pipe cleaner

Or

Acorn caps (the top part of the acorn, including stem)

Plus, black acrylic paint and a tiny brush, hot glue gun, and twine for hanging.

I remember having an ornament like this on the family tree growing up. In fact, my parents probably still hang it up. It’s easy to make and not very expensive.

First, take a plain wooden bead and paint a face. You can use paints or markers or whatever you happen to have. I think simple line-drawn faces work best, but you can make them more elaborate if you like.

Use your red felt to make a tall cone hat. This is a simple quarter-circle with the two straight edges glued together. Eyeball it and play around a little to get the right size. Make a loop of white chenille pipe cleaner and glue it into the top of the hat. This makes the pom-pom on the hat, but also doubles as a hanger. Glue the hat to the top of the bead.

Cut a small strip of white fake fur for the beard, making sure to leave the long fur, and glue it to the bottom of the bead.

A nice variation is using acorn caps, with stems, instead of the red hat. In this case, the beard can be omitted.

Album of the Day: A Charlie Brown Christmas- The Vince Guaraldi Trio-

If you have only one album in your Christmas collection, let it be this one. Guaraldi captures every mood of the Christmas season, from the unabashed joy in Linus and Lucy, to the wistful melancholy in What Child is This. More than one friend has called this the perfect Christmas album.

Much of this music was included in the seminal TV special of the same name, and has become so ubiquitous that it’s easy to forget what a departure it was from the lush, orchestral Christmas music of the time. The three-man combo, led by Guaraldi’s jazz piano, stuck to spare, stripped-down arrangements that relied heavily on improvisation. The result is a loose, ebullient album that feels familiar and new at the same time. And if you grew up with the special, the rush of nostalgia could be almost overwhelming.

One note: there have been several attempts over the years to update or re-imagine this music for today’s audience. Do not be fooled. These pretenders fall far short of the flawless perfection of the original, too often relying on tortured production and over-orchestration to set themselves apart. The original succeeds because it is intimate and unassuming, so make sure that’s the one you get. I promise it will become one of your favorites, too.

Casual Recipe of the Day: Baked Potato Soup- I do a lot of cooking in my crock pot. It’s perfect for days where you have a lot of rushing around to do. You just put the ingredients in the pot in the morning, and by dinnertime it’s ready to go. This cheesy potato soup is similar to ones served in some restaurants, and is filling and warm on cold December nights.

Ingredients:

2 ½ to 3 pounds russet potatoes

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

8 oz. cream cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional garnishes: bacon bits, shredded cheese, green onion, sour cream

-Wash (but don’t peel) the potatoes, and dice into ½-inch cubes. Add potatoes, onion, garlic, and chicken stock to the crock pot and cook on low 10 hours or high 6 hours.

-When potatoes are tender, add cream cheese and blend with an immersion blender until cheese is incorporated. Don’t puree the soup completely; there should still be a few bits of potato. (Or remove half the soup and cream cheese to an upright blender, then stir back in.)

-When serving, top with the garnish(es) of your choice, or it’s also very good on its own.

Gift Idea of the Day: Clove and Orange Pomander-

This craft dates back to the Victorian era, when fruits and spices were used to cover unpleasant odors. That’s perhaps not as necessary now, but these pomanders can be attractive arranged in a bowl as a centerpiece, or hanging from a light fixture or doorway. For each one you’ll need a small- to medium-sized unblemished orange (or lemon), a jar of whole cloves, and, if you’re hanging it, some ribbon or cord. You’ll also need a mix of spices that blend well with the orange and cloves, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and coriander, but if you’re cooking this month, you probably have these on hand. It’s also helpful to have a skewer or small knitting needle.

If you’re hanging the orange, wrap the ribbon or cord around it and make a loop at the top. Then start inserting the whole cloves into the surface of the orange. You can just poke them in, if the orange skin is thin enough, or use the skewer to make holes to start. Cover the entire orange, spacing the cloves 1/8 to ¼ inch apart.

When you’re done, mix the spices together in a bowl and roll the orange in them until it’s completely covered.

Your pomander is now ready for display or to give as a gift. Be aware that the fruit will dry out and shrink over time, so if it’s hanging you might have to adjust the ribbon.

Country of the Day: Russia- Christmas in Russia has a complicated history. Because religious observances were forbidden under Communism, a lot of traditions were transferred to the more secular New Year celebrations, but as there is a renewal of interest in Christianity in Russia, these customs are being reclaimed. Russians follow a different calendar, and celebrate Christmas on January 7th.

The Russian Santa Claus is called Ded Moroz, which means Grandfather Frost. He is tall and slender, and wears richly embroidered robes. Sometimes he is accompanied by his grand-daughter Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden. The two travel in a Troika drawn by three horses to deliver gifts on New Year’s Eve. There are also stories of Babushka, an old woman who met the Wise Men on their journey to see Jesus, but declined to join them. She soon regretted her decision, and, filling a sack with gifts, set off to catch up with them. Unfortunately, she was too far behind and has wandered the world ever since, leaving her gifts for other children as she searches for the Christ child.

Some people fast in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve (Jan. 6th) and abstain from meat and fish until Christmas Day, so traditional foods for Christmas Eve are vegetarian dishes like borscht, sauerkraut, and vegetable pies. For the most devout, this feast begins an all-night vigil at the local church.

A traditional Christmas dinner in Russia is goose stuffed with apples. If you’re able to find a nice goose, it’s not that complicated-

Roast Goose Stuffed with Apples

Ingredients-1 whole goose, 8-10 pounds

6 to 8 tart baking apples (such as Granny Smith or Winesap), peeled, cored, and quartered

¼ cup raisins

1 sliced lemon

Nutmeg, salt and pepper

-Combine the apples, raisins, and lemon slices in a bowl. Salt them lightly and dust them with a little nutmeg. Stuff the goose with the mixture. Place the goose, back down, on a roasting rack in a rather deep pan, and cover lightly with foil. Roast at 325ºF. After 2.5 hours remove the foil and baste with the drippings. Continue roasting till browned and tender. A large goose should take about 3 to 3.5 hours to cook.

-If you like, add 6 peeled and quartered potatoes to the bottom of the pan 1 hour after the goose is placed in the oven. They will be ready with the goose and very crispy from baking in the fat.

Reading of the Day: A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)-

Marley was dead: to begin with.  There is no doubt whatever

about that.  The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman,

the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner.  Scrooge signed

it: and Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he

chose to put his hand to.  Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.

And thus begins one of the best known and well-loved Christmas stories. Even if you’ve never read this novel, chances are you’re familiar with the story. It has been dramatized and adapted dozens, if not hundreds, of times, and the characters have entered the popular culture. The novel is, by far, Charles Dickens’ most-read work, and has enjoyed continuous popularity since it was first published in 1843.

If you’ve never read it, I highly recommend it. For starters, it’s beautifully written. The language is poetic, evocative, and witty, but is still accessible to modern readers. The Christmas celebrations Dickens describes, though not widespread at the time of the book’s release (a remnant of Cromwell’s banning of the celebration in the 17th century,) have since become the standard in most English-speaking countries. And the main character’s name, Scrooge, has come to mean anyone down on the holiday.

But really, take the time this year to read it. If you have children, read it aloud, a little each night, though the month. Since it’s in public domain, it’s easy to find versions of the text online and for e-readers for free, and if you like audiobooks, there are numerous free versions available as podcasts (I like version 2 from Librivox.org, which can be downloaded from their site or through iTunes.) You won’t regret the experience, and I envy you enjoying it for the first time.

Scripture of the Day: John 1: 1-5 -  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

December 2nd- 23 Days Until Christmas

Gift of the Day: Make a donation to your local food bank. First go to the website below to find one near you. Then, next time you are at the supermarket (or better yet, Costco or a similar bulk discounter) pick up some extra food and drop it off. Desirable items include peanut butter, tuna fish, rice, canned items and baby food, but any non-perishable item will do.

Then, make a commitment to donate at another time of year- maybe your birthday month, or the anniversary of a special event.

Cookie of the Day: Peanut Butter Cookies- The vintage cookbook I have says this is a favorite of men and children. That always makes me smile. This dough can be used in a cookie press, and you can also make PB Blossoms by pressing an unwrapped chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie when they first come out of the oven and are still warm.

Ingredients: ½ cup shortening

½ cup peanut butter

½ cup white sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

-Mix shortening, peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and egg thoroughly (you can use a mixer, but this can also be done by hand.) Sift together flour and other dry ingredients, then stir into shortening mixture. Chill dough.

-Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll dough into balls about 1 ¼ inches and place 3 inches apart on a lightly greased (or non-stick) baking sheet. If you aren’t adding the chocolate kisses, flatten the cookies in a cross-cross pattern with a fork. Bake 10-12 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen.

Carol of the Day: Away in a Manger- Even though it is sometimes attributed (incorrectly) to Martin Luther, this song was first published in my neck of the woods, Philadelphia, in 1885. There are two commonly used tunes, which are sometimes mashed-up for choral performances. This song is very short and easy to learn.

Away in a manger,

No crib for His bed

The little Lord Jesus

Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky

Looked down where He lay

The little Lord Jesus

Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing

The poor Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus

No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus

Look down from the sky

And stay by my side,

'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,

I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever

And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children

In Thy tender care

And take us to heaven

To live with Thee there