After a long, complicated situation, our Formal Christmas Eve dinner is now an annual event, full of tradition. Everyone arrives in their best dress and a nice roast beef dinner is served. Christmas crackers are snapped open, jokes shared, hats worn, trinkets observed. Polite (well, as polite as all the Unwins plus Mike together can be!) conversation is enjoyed and everyone leaves room for dessert. Not necessarily, just because the chocolate trifle is yummy,
but because, hidden inside the trifle is a quarter,which if in your serving, will win you the crisp $5.00 bill that sits waiting on a displayed easel waiting for an owner. This year Casey decided we had to have an order to who gets theirs dished up first (Casey-always making it fair.) James was first, followed by each individual, anxiously, thoughtfully and suspensfully dishing up their serving of chocolate trifle. But for the first time in our 5 year history, everyone finished their serving and no quarter was found...so after discussion whether everyone should have seconds, or have it be $10.00 next year...everyone opted for seconds...(whether you're full or not-afterall, there is money involved!) And so, for the second year in a row, Cindy became the proud owner of $5.00.
(In 5 years, we've had only 3 winners. First two years my dad, then Luke, then last year and this year Cindy.)
Dinner is the event, no program, no activities, no games. Before everyone leaves, the kids like to change into their pajamas (that the Pajama Fairy left that morning), for everyone to see, and everyone leaves wishing each other a Merry Christmas, full of excitement and anticipation to exchange gifts the next day.
We are very blessed. Merry Christmas.
That chocolate trifle looks fabulous. We always have trifle on Christmas Eve (tender moment) but never with money. I'm going to do that next year.
ReplyDelete