by Kat Latham
When I was 23, I was dreading my first Christmas away from my family.
I’d moved to Prague, in the Czech Republic, that summer and had barely enough money to buy crappy food, much less to pay for a flight back to California. So I did what any sane girl would do: I got a foreign boyfriend whose family lived much closer.
Smarty Pants and I got together at the beginning of that October, and we’d only been together ten days when we bought a flight for me to spend Christmas with his family in England. That’s right, ten days into the relationship and I was already committing to a Christmas with a family I’d never met—a family that would become my in-laws four years later.
Since I’d never spent Christmas away from my family before, it hadn’t occurred to me how strange it would be to suffer through someone else’s traditions instead of my own. Of course, I knew different families celebrated in different ways. I’d watched enough Christmas movies to know that not every family invited its strangest relatives to spend hours drinking together and then watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and laughed hysterically about how familiar it was.
But damn, were my family Christmases like Chevy Chase’s. Complete with the mental grandparents and an uncle who actually referred to himself as Cousin Eddie because he knew people cringed when he showed up.
So I was struck dumb when I arrived at Smarty Pants’ childhood home and had a glass of expensive wine thrust into my hand. You see, I have absolutely no alcohol tolerance. I’d told my future father-in-law I didn’t want any, but he ignored me. So I drank out of politeness. And nervousness.
A few minutes later, I was stumbling through the kitchen calling out, “Thanks for the booze, Bryan!”
I can still remember the less-than-impressed look on his face.
Dinner—instead of being a massive pot-luck buffet of dishes that were easy and could feed 30—was a formal sit-down affair with several incredible courses, all prepared by Smarty Pants’ mum, a lovely woman who missed her calling as a gourmet chef. The food—God, the food!—was amazing, and I discovered a load of new dishes and vegetables I’d never heard of before: celeriac, rum butter, Christmas pudding—which she covered in brandy and set on fire!
But the meal lasted forEVER. In my family, no meal lasts more than 20 minutes. And that’s for a real celebration, like a wedding. We tend to hoover things up within minutes. Sitting at a table with people I was desperately trying to impress for over TWO HOURS nearly killed me. I kept excusing myself from the table so I could stand in the hallway shaking my shoulders and head like a prize fighter, whispering to myself, “You can do it. You can do it. Surely they can’t sit there much longer. There’s gotta be some kind of sports game on TV soon. The men’ll get bored and head for the couch.”
No such luck. So every 20 minutes or so, I excused myself again for another pep talk. They probably thought I had the trots.
Over the years, I started getting used to those long dinners and really enjoy my English Christmases now. This year, we’re with my family in California, so Smarty Pants will probably be enjoying a nice Christmas lasagna and being teased by my brother for using a napkin. And utensils.
Have you spent Christmas away from your family and the traditions you’re used to? How did you fare? Comment and enter to win a copy of THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS by Debbie Macomber or MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT by Fern Michaels et al.
What would make your Christmas perfect?
For Cassie Beaumont, it’s meeting her perfect match. Cassie, at thirty-three, wants a husband and kids, and so far, nothing’s worked. Not blind dates, not the internet and certainly not leaving love to chance.
What other options are there? Well…she could hire a professional matchmaker. Simon Dodson has quite a reputation, but he’s very choosy about the clients he takes on—and very expensive. Cassie considers him a difficult, acerbic know-it-all, and she’s astonished when he accepts her as a client.
Claiming he has her perfect mate in mind, Simon assigns her three tasks to complete before she meets this paragon. Three tasks that are all about Christmas: being a charity bell-ringer, dressing up as Santa’s elf at a mall and preparing a traditional turkey dinner for her neighbors (most of whom she happens to dislike). Despite a number of comical mishaps, Cassie does it all—and then she’s finally ready to meet her match.
But just like the perfect Christmas gift, he turns out to be a wonderful surprise!
~*~*~
Secret wishes, sweet surprises, and gifts straight from the heart. Delight in this season’s most joyous presents with these four sparkling tales. . .
“Making Spirits Bright” by Fern Michaels
Melanie McLaughlin desperately wants to adopt two orphaned siblings and give them a real home for Christmas. A just-for-the-holiday marriage to Bryce Landry fits her plan perfectly. . .until unexpected sparks have Melanie dreaming of forever by his side. . .
“Runaway Christmas” by Elizabeth Bass
A glass of wine, lounging in pajamas, and catching up on movies—that’s Heidi Bogue’s idea of a perfect Christmas. Until her thirteen-year-old niece makes a surprise visit—and a snowstorm turns Heidi’s café into a community refuge. Now one handsome cop is giving Heidi plenty more reasons to celebrate. . .
“Home For Christmas” by Rosalind Noonan
Jo Truman needs a replacement Santa for her gift shop’s Christmas Eve party. She’ll do whatever it takes to convince lonely soldier Sam Norwood that he’s perfect for the part…and that the season for love is always. . .
“Christmas On Cape Cod” by Nan Rossiter
Maddie Carlson would do anything for her best friend. And helping Asa Coleman babysit a rambunctious puppy Christmas Eve night is her one chance to help the troubled teacher put his past to rest. . .and give the sweetest gift of all.
Kat Latham has been reading romance for a couple of decades. With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the depth, humor and emotion of real life. When she’s not writing contemporary romance novels, she can usually be found blogging or tweeting overly personal information. She loves meeting other readers and writers online, so follow her on Twitter or check out her blog and say hello!
I’ve never spent Christmas away from my family, but I have spent Thanksgiving Day with my BIL and his family in Denver and it felt strange not to be with my mother and dad and sisters. The traditions were the same, yet different.
Thanks for the post; I enjoyed reading it.
You are so funny! I’m sure those pep talks did the trick.
I’ve never spent Christmas away from family. Now that we’re older, Hubby and I wouldn’t mind traveling somewhere for the holidays—except there are these two wonderful creatures we call grandkids who keep holding us back. Merry Christmas.
We spend every few Christmases down at my Mother in Law’s home. Her traditions are different from what I do at my home, but I still enjoy them. And I know my husband and children enjoy being down there too.
I’ve spent only one Thanksgiving away and never Christmas. Hopefully it will stay that way 🙂
Have never spent the holidays away from my family.
We spent several Christmases in England with friends, who also came to visit us at Christmas. Our hosts were wonderful cooks, an accolade never applicable to me alas.
I’ve NEVER spent Christmas away from Home! I don’t think I could! It wouldn’t feel like christmas without my mom & sisters & brother!:)
We sold our house after 8 days at the end of August. We moved out first of October. We are building. So for the last three months we have been living in a one bedroom apartment (my husband, me, and our 17 year old). We thought we were closing this past Tuesday, but of course, not happening. We didn’t put up any decorations because we thought we would be in. All of our stuff is in storage, so last night I went and bought a 2ft. Tree. So this year will be different because we aren’t in our ” home.” but I’ve decided to make the best of it and get in the spirit! I mean after all, we’ll all be together!
I studied in Europe one year while in college. It was a very lonely Christmas. I missed my family
I was agog the first time I was at my boyfriend’s mother’s house for a holiday dinner. I was okay with a large extended family, but the food was “American” – I’ve never seen a whole head of cauliflower covered in Cheez Whiz before (I draw the line at American cheese). And why ambrosia salad with Jell-O? What was that about? Why were there no veggies aside from a salad and the aforementioned cauliflower? Needless to say, I learned to bring a veggie dish to share if I wanted veggies. I also felt sorry for my boyfriend, growing up with that food. Well, we all attend those dinners for the company anyway, not so much the food.
Ha, what a fun post to read! I can just picture it! And I never knew people celebrated Christmas so formally….huh.
Never had to miss a family Christmas till last year. My twins came a month early, emergency type early. So my husband and I spent Christmas and New Year’s together, in the NICU with our two little boys. A very emotional Christmas to be sure, so this year may be emotional but a happy emotional. And we will be with family. =)
I had to spend Thanksgiving away from my family, and that was bad enough! Luckily, I’ve been able to spend all 28 Christmas with my family.
Thanks, LSUReader! I hope you have a fantastic Christmas with your grandkids. I bet they make the season all the more special.
Rhiannon, I’m glad you enjoy your MIL’s traditions. It makes a huge difference!
Liz, isn’t English Christmas special? My in-laws there go all out, especially when it comes to food, which works for me!
Shelley, I’m sorry things haven’t happened the way you expected, but good for you making the most of it! Hope you’re in your new place soon.
Infinitieh – OMG, I think that’s probably EXACTLY how my husband felt on his first few trips to visit my family! Fortunately, they’ve picked up some of our eating habits over the years.
Lexi, last Christmas must’ve been really tough for you guys. I’m so glad this one will be better. I’m sure your little guys are very excited!
One year I was in the hospital on Christmas Day, so that was the pits! Every other year, though, I have been blessed to be able to celebrate at home.
Since moving across the country from all of my family to be near my son, and then having my son move to another state for several years, I spent quite a few holidays by myself. You’d be amazed at how relaxing it is not to have to deal with all the holiday stuff. 😀
Thanks for a delightful post. Isn’t it great to get out of your comfort zone and expand your horizons.
I joined the Peace Corps after finishing college and of course there was no way to go home for Christmas. I was in the Philippines, so some of the traditions were similar. However, they didn’t have the big family get togethers quite the way we do. It was more the festivities leading up to Christmas day, like the programs at school and midnight mass. Christmas day was a big nothing. No gathering of the clan, no excited children running around, no obnoxious relatives. There was a nice meal, but the day was pretty much like any Sunday.
I come from a large French-Irish family who gathered for midnight mass with my mother’s 8 siblings, all the many cousins, and my grandparents – the “french” side of the family. We would go to my grandparents’ afterward for brunch. We would get home about 2 or 3 AM and open our gifts, then go to bed. Smart on my parent’s part because we would sleep in the next morning. On Christmas day, we would go to my other grandparents’ for dinner with my father’s 6 siblings and those cousins. It was a day of family and great fun – wonderful, noisey, and at times chaotic.
Bless my paternal grandmother. She knew how much I looked forward to her Sugar Cream Pie every year. I think it is a French Canadian recipe – nothing but sugar, butter, and cream in a pie shell, topped with walnuts. Very rich. Normally she got about 10 servings from a pie. Anyway, she mailed one to me in the Philippine so I would have it for Christmas. Surprisingly enough, it got there in great shape. It was the only bright spot of my day. I literally spent the entire day in my room (except for meals). There was nothing else to do. I sat there and ate the whole pie in one day. I was so down, and it was sooo good. It was the one piece of Christmas I had and it made the day a little better. Until that day, I hadn’t realized just how important the family and getting together was.
I’ve never been away from home for Christmas (or any holiday) except to be working it – it is usually everyone else goes away for the holidays and leaves me by myself 🙁 Its quite lonely when people do that to me…
Cheryl, that must’ve been awful! No time is a good time to be in the hospital, but Christmas Day would be the worst.
Barbara, I know what you mean about having a relaxing Christmas without all the hoopla.
Librarypat, what a fantastic story! I’m amazed the pie arrived in one piece! And what a thoughtful grandma to send it to you. 🙂
Wendy, I bet that must be really lonely. I hope this Christmas you’ll be surrounded by people you love.
I never spent Christmas away from my family. I would hate to be without them during the holidays.
I have never spent Christmas away from my family! We visit my family on Christmas Eve and hubby’s on Christmas day.
This Christmas will be a little different. I go to the hospital tomorrow to have a medical procedure done. I will get home sometime on Christmas Eve day. So I won’t be going anywhere for Christmas (usually spent with my brother and his family). Just going to stay home and read lots of romance novels.
That was a fun post. I never have spent Christmas away from my family, just added my husband to the mix when we were dating and then married.
I’m very traditional. I’ve always spent Christmas with my family. I don’t have any desire to take a vacation over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Both of these books sound fantastic! Perfect Christmas treats!
I’ve never spent Christmas away from my family. The only times I even traveled at Christmas, was with my whole family. 1978, the year we visited my dad’s brother & his wife in California, was the most interesting. Uncle Fred is a big German dude, who married a little Chinese lady, that we all adore. Aunt Mary took us to a restaurant in China town on Christmas morning, for a very non-german meal. I can’t say I am ready to repeat that particular dining experience, even though I love Chinese food. Uncle Fred made it up to us the day after, when he made his famous buckwheat waffles.
drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
This year was my first Christmas away from home. I think I fared alright only because I was able to sort of push down how I feel about it and convince myself it’s not a big deal (tactics you learn in the military). This Christmas was spent watching Harry Potter, lounging in PJs, and eating pumpkin bread in South Korea.
ah the stories of christmas holidays, can’t get enough of them. thanks for sharing about yours.
Julie