Monday, December 7, 2020

Around the Kitchen Table: Your Most Memorable Holiday Dinner + #Giveaway


MAYA CORRIGAN: Which is your most memorable holiday celebration? Christmas Eve dinner in 2016 stands out for me because it collided with my research for the 5th Five-Ingredient Mystery, S’More Murders. My sleuth Val is hired to cater a Titanic memorial dinner aboard a yacht while the guests assume the roles of Titanic passengers in a whodunit mystery game. I couldn’t write that scene without doing what Val does. I downloaded a Titanic mystery dinner party game. Then I coaxed family members into assuming roles as Titanic guests, eating their last meal and solving a murder that took place on the ship. 

Molly Brown and the Titanic captain are on the right
My relatives arrived dressed to kill 1912 style. We had wine with Titanic labels and clues to peruse, including a telegram, a birth certificate, and a medical examiner’s report. 


After dessert we each accused the person we believed had committed the murder. And none of us figured it out! We all had fun, though, and I had the experience I needed to write the dinner scene in S’more Murders. The murder game played by my characters is nothing like the game I downloaded. The victim, suspects, and crime are different, and the game in S'more Murders is designed for nefarious purposes rather than fun. If you'd like a fun version of the Titanic murder game, you can download it at Printable Mystery Games. Read about S'more Murders and the last dinner on the Titanic.

Leave a comment to enter a raffle for 7 cozy mystery books!

Accusations fly across the table




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LUCY BURDETTE: I have to go with a New Year's eve celebration too, about five years ago. Our kids came to Key West to celebrate (a special treat). Our son-in-law Jeff's birthday is New Year's eve so I made a special dinner with all his favorite things including his mother's recipe for stuffed shrimp and a giant carrot cake. Here's the recipe--delicious even though I'd never choose carrot cake myself! Then we all went out to watch the madness on Duval Street...


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MADDIE DAY: I got divorced in the fall of 2002. The first Christmas, I wanted to make new traditions with my young-teen sons. We all love sushi, and I had learned to make it when I lived in Japan in my twenties. My boys were going to be with their father on Christmas Day, so the three of us made Christmas Eve sushi, a tradition we've kept nearly every year since.


I brought that round wooden dish home from Japan, as well as a nori-maki rolling mat. I'm not sure I'll have the heart to make it this year, but fingers crossed for a safe family Christmas in 2021, along with more festive sushi. 

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LESLIE B: Oh, I love these stories! This truly is the time of year for memories, especially as we get older and the memories pile up! The little Irish nun who taught high school French class decided we would make a French dinner, and I was assigned the buche de Noel, or Christmas log, a long, rolled-up cake filled with raspberry jam and covered with chocolate frosting. My mother helped me---she wasn't a good cook, but boy, could she bake---and it was such a hit that we made another for our own Christmas dinner. My father hadn't seen the school version and was totally surprised. He hadn't had or even seen one since the Christmas of 1944 when he was stuck in a small Swiss village, one of the Swiss internees---the troops whose planes had been forced to land in Switzerland, his because of engine damage during a raid; to retain its neutrality, Switzerland had to keep all soldiers who landed there, Allies on one side of the country, Axis on the other, separated by nationality and by officers/enlisted men. He cried at the sight. When Don and I were in France last January, we saw elaborate buches de Noel in bakery windows, many with little trees and mushrooms made of frosting, surrounded by forest animals. I thought of my father, long gone, and I cried. 

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DARYL: Maya, your mystery dinner sounds amazing. What fun.  Nearly every holiday has been good for me. I love when family gathers. We had a full house a few years ago. The smiles were constant and food plentiful.  I serve the same thing every year. It's now expected, so that tradition won't change, although I do switch up the desserts! The number of people will change from year to year, I fear, as we go through this particular year and then going forward when the little ones grow up and go off to college, etc. We have to be ready for change, I think.  I will admit that a cranberry cheesecake dessert was one of the favorites over the years as was the gluten-free yule log I made. 
 


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VICKI DELANY: Two years ago my mother and I went to Mozambique to have Christmas with my daughter, newly arrived to live there for four years.  I lived in South Africa for a long time, so I know hot Christmases, but that was a long time ago. It was fun to see our holiday traditions - Santa Claus, a decorated tree - implanted in such a different sort of place. But never fear, we went to a pot luck dinner, and my daughter made a turkey and I made an apple pie.  This picture is of my mom and me out for drinks on Christmas Eve. And a picture of the Christmas tree. 


 

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LESLIE KARST: Our family’s traditional Christmas dinner has long been roast beef (or “roast beast,” as we call it), Yorkshire pud, and green beans, with pumpkin and mince pies for dessert. And we always include British Christmas crackers, which come with a small toy, a “motto” (i.e., riddle or joke—which we act out as a game of charades), and a festive paper crown. But one time some years back, Robin and I were lucky enough to celebrate Christmas with my parents and sister in Hawai‘i, where Robin and I live half time. Good fun!
 

 Robin, Mom, and Laura
 
For this special occasion, I decided to try my hand at making a “real” mince pie—i.e., with actual minced beef and suet, as well as fruit. It was the most delicious pie I’ve ever had (though very rich). And that "Christmas in Paradise" we celebrated together lives on as one of my very favorite memories.



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My husband and I celebrated New Year's Eve in Melbourne, Australia on a converted tram car. We had dinner in our own little cubby and then were invited to join a large party of Australians to ring in the New Year. Truly a one of a kind experience!


 
PEG: So many interesting stories here! All holidays are memorable so it's hard to choose.  I'd have to say that it might be the Christmas my late husband and I spent in England. He was there on business so I joined him.  We spent some time in London having afternoon tea, seeing Cats, which was new then and visiting Harrods and enjoying the decorations at Marks & Spencer.  I found a bookstore and snapped up a bunch of books by Nancy Mitford and Patricia Wentworth.  We then headed into the countryside via train to a manor house that had been turned into a hotel. It was exquisite and the food was fantastic. Christmas Eve all the guests were taken to a small, stone church in the village for the midnight service.  When we arrived back at the manor house, we were served a small bowl of hot soup and the British version of grilled cheese.  Christmas morning they brought a real English "fry up" to our room. By the time we finished the eggs, sausage, tomato, mushrooms etc. we thought we'd never be hungry again. But then it was time for Christmas dinner, another memorable meal shared with new friends, made jolly by Christmas crackers and paper crowns!


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What fantastic Christmas memories you all have!  Are we the only people where things go pear-shaped? Christmas Eve is the big shindig in our family, but we always have a smaller dinner on Christmas Day.  Many of our memorable Christmas stories involve nearly-averted disasters such as the time when, in addition to the usual suspects, we had four Brazilian visitors and my ninetysomething mother-in-law arrive at the same time. In the confusion of arrivals and multiple languages our adventurous little dachshund, Lily, escaped without anyone noticing  and trotted purposefully down the road in the cold Ontario winter late afternoon wearing her velvet and taffeta Christmas dress.  She was spotted by a passing librarian (you can't make this stuff up!) who found our phone number on the tag and saved the day.  Dinner resumed with the breakout artist back in her bed, cuddled up with her sister awaiting extra treats.  Lily is nearly fifteen now and none the worse for her many adventures, but I may have lost a few years off my life.   Merry and safe Christmas, friends!






CLEO COYLE:  Because our beloved parents and grandparents are gone now, both Marc and I are sentimental about our most memorable holiday meals. Both took place during our childhoods. Mine was a Thanksgiving feast with my big Italian-American family, where homemade Italian foods (from wedding soup and gnocchi to pizzelle and biscotti) were served right along with traditional American Turkey and pumpkin pie. Marc’s most memorable meal took place one Christmas eve, when his family served him the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. “As the oldest grandson,” Marc told me, “I sat at the adult’s table for the first time, beside my cousin Loretta. We listened to their conversation—some of it in Italian—and shared a wee bit of wine and a drop of after-dinner anisette.” 

As for the menu, Marc’s grandmother was a poor orphan from Naples, but (as he put it) “she could have been a master chef.” The seven seafood dishes she served that night were: (1) shrimp cocktails with white garlic sauce, (2) savory fritters with anchovies; (3) smelts; (4) baccàla (dried and salted cod) in red sauce; (5) calamari, coated with seasoned flour and fried “to perfection.” (Marc remembered the tentacles resembling “dried flower blossoms” though his cousin Loretta was “thoroughly grossed out by them!”) The main course included (6) a whole fresh cod, stuffed with crabmeat, and finally (7) fried shrimp coated with a breading that included Italian herbs and parmesan cheese. Marc and I still make and enjoy that wonderful “Italian-fried shrimp.” We love it so much we shared our recipe and tips with our readers via one of our most popular Coffeehouse Mystery characters. (Click here or on the picture below for a free PDF of our recipe.) As for the desserts, Marc remembered some amazing treats being served, but he failed to eat them. “Why?” I asked. “Because after that seven fish dinner, I was stuffed to the gills.” (Hey, no groaning. Puns are our business, too.) May your own holidays be delicious!

Click here for a free PDF
of Cleo's recipe.




GIVEAWAY

Now it's your turn!
Do you have a holiday meal memory to share?
Join our chat and leave a comment by December 9th
to win these seven terrific books, US only.

Include your e-mail address
so we can contact you if you win.



As the Christmas Cookie Crumbles by Leslie Budewitz

Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day

Deadly Feast by Lucy Burdette

Mistletoe, Moussaka & Murder by Tina Kashian 

Not a Creature was Purring by Krista Davis

Wreath between the Lines by Daryl Wood Gerber

Gingerdead Man by Maya Corrigan


🎄


121 comments:

  1. To me, the holiday meal tradition that jumps out is the fact that we had our big celebration meal on New Year's Eve. For years, Mom missed out of everything like parades on TV, visiting with neighbor's that dropped by so kids would talk about what Santa brought and to make a trip around the table of holiday treats that Mom always spread out, because she was in the kitchen cooking from scratch and fixing that big holiday meal she thought we all expected.

    One year, Dad suggested that we have that big meal on his birthday - New Year's Eve, so that Mom could enjoy Christmas Day with the rest of us. Best suggestion EVER!

    Starting the next year, Christmas Day was about fun for everyone. The meal was usually sandwiches with every kind of lunchmeat and trimmings you can think of, many homemade dips that were made ahead of time with a wide assortment of chips. Dessert was often banana splits and trips around the goodie table.

    Then a week later, Mom would hit the kitchen early to prepare the big holiday meal where she fixed enough to feed an army and we ate until we thought our bellies would burst.

    Just goes to show that sometimes change or something different for the holidays doesn't mean it's a bad thing. That's how I am approaching this holiday season. Most definitely it will be different, but maybe some good can be found IF we are only open to it.

    Thank you for the fabulous opportunity to win an awesome prize! Shared and hoping to be the extremely fortunate one selected.

    Be safe, stay healthy and have a little adventure along the way - even if through the pages of a good book.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Kay, a great suggestion when you think about it! To celebrate the day and have the meal another time. Love it. Your dad was brilliant. ~ Daryl

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  2. I remember the large family gatherings to celebrate the holidays. The food was always fabulous. One year when all the cousins were young, Santa came to visit us at our get together. All the cousins ran to hide!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. So cute! My son hid when he saw a clown on Easter. LOL ~ Daryl

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  3. I remember as a kid one Christmas it had snowed a lot and my Dad had to dig out to go pick up my Uncle Bill and my grandmother, which he also had to shovel to get them to the car. We were all waiting very impatiently as we couldn't open our presents until they got there. Dinner was always a huge turkey with all the fixings and lots of different pies for later because no one had room for dessert. I remember we always left carrots for Santa's reindeer and we had to dig in the snow to make sure that they were gone. Santa always got whiskey and cookies. Dad said Santa needed a shot of whiskey to warm up especially in MA. LOL Thank you so much for a chance in this generous giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com Paula

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    1. Ha! Your Dad truly understood Santa. LOL ~ Daryl

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    2. Love the whiskey! I'll bet it was gone when you woke up in the morning? I'm willing to guess your dad was the one who drank it!

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  4. This has to be one of my favorite posts ever! I love your special meals. My mother is British so we had the crackers! And my dad was Italian and he told me about those big Queens spaghetti, ravioli--and a turkey. We thought he was exaggerating.

    One of my memorable meals is Christmas morning. My mother would make croissants from scratch, like ones we ate in France. I should buy an extra pound of butter and give them a try.

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    1. My post left out a word: Queens dinners.

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    2. Elizabeth, to be able to make croissants? What a gift! :) ! Daryl

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    3. Yes, Christmas crackers are fab! And you can never go wrong with buying an extra pound of butter...

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  5. A festive meal which I will always remember for the warmth, family, food and fun took place when we were younger and the kids fondly talk about it to their own children now. We had such a wonderful day filled with story telling, gifts, and most of all homemade and delectable dishes. Lighting the menorah, eating latkes, applesauce, salads, apple cake, and opening gifts gave everyone the love we hold onto for many years.

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    1. Traveler, what a lovely memory. To fill a day with storytelling is such a gift and blessing. ~ Daryl

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  6. My most memorable Christmas was the year my sister, Mary, and I took my mother to Paris. For her 90th birthday she said that’s where she wanted to go. We arrived on Christmas Day and stayed a week. She went up the Eiffel Tower, did a river cruise on the Seine, visited the Louvre and Musee Dorsey. We also took her to tour Versailles. She loved it and talked about it often. She passed away at age 98 a few years back. I’m so glad we were able to do that for her.

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    1. Thank you for sharing that holiday with us. As my parents got older, they often talked of places they traveled. That's what stuck out as special in their memories, not the day-to-day routine.

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    2. What a fabulous Christmas memory, Patricia! I've always wanted to see Paris at Christmas time.

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  7. As a kid, my favorite memories revolve around making cookies with Mom, Dad taking us to look at lights, putting my favorite ornament on the tree, leaving cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer, and getting that special present you really wanted.

    As an adult, my Christmas memories are all of work. Though a nursing home obviously can't shut down for the day, my supervisor somehow decided that I would work every major and minor holiday every year. However, I got a new supervisor the beginning of the year- one who believes in rotating holidays so they're split up evenly. I work New Year's, and am having my first Thanksgiving and Christmas off in 15 years. It's been nice to get to celebrate with the family and make some new memories after all this time.

    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Alicia, This year the holidays will be really special for you--in a good way. Enjoy them and thanks for sharing your story.

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  8. Mine would be NYE 2019 (little did we know...)
    My husband and I hosted a 1920's themed murder mystery dinner party. All the guests dressed up in gangster/flapper style and we served a four course meal with lots of drinks, clues and laughter.
    Wish I could show some photos because we went all out on the decorations and the guests went all out on their outfits. :)

    kimheniadis at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Kim. I'm glad to know that someone else celebrated with a murder mystery dinner party!

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  9. Chanukah was the celebration. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I figured as much, with latkes and applesauce! It sounds lovely.

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    2. Years ago my daughter was invited to her friend's house for the first night of Chanukah. They had latkes and she got to light a candle. Ever since, although we celebrate Christmas, I have made latkes one night during Chanukah. Happy Chanukah to you!

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  10. Thank you everyone for sharing your memories. I find that memories are the best part of having family. And being able to make more memories. One of my most memorable one as a kid was: We lived on a ranch in CA and every Thanksgiving we had turkey and all the sides. But this one year a special family friend who lived close by invited us to their house for Thanksgiving. We had mexican food. OHHHHH my goodness. We had a blast trying the different real mexican foods. Del Taco and later Taco Bell do not compare in the least. From that time forward Mrs Garlic taught mom how to make real mexican food that we would all eat all the time. After that every holiday mom made at least two mexican dishes to go with the traditional. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    1. Lucky you, Lori! I'm also a Californian, and one of my comfort foods is still hot steamed tamales.

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  11. What great memories! MJ, I love the visual of Lily trotting down the road in her Christmas dress. So glad that had a happy ending! And Cleo, my cousin (second cousin I think) always did the feast of the seven fishes and my parents were always invited. The year my father died, I was invited as the oldest on that side of the family (and also to chauffeur my mother!)

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  12. Family and cooking together is what makes memories!

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  13. Mine had to be 2018's Christmas in Singapore visiting my son and daughter-in-law. Shopping is Singapore's national sport, and Christmas shopping is like their Super Bowl or World Cup. Plus, Singapore has never met a sound and light show it didn't love (they literally have one EVERY night), and the Christmas extravaganza (to the soundtrack of such classics as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)came complete with snow! (Not really, some kind of foam shot out of cannons, but still...) Loved every minute of it!

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    1. Wow, that sounds amazing, Amy! (Adds to bucket list...)

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  14. Probably the nicest Christmases I’ve ever had was at my best friend’s parents’ house. I used to go there ever Christmas Day for dinner- they had been a 2nd family to me since I was in the 4th grade. We had an apricot and prune stuffed pork loin (delicious!) with a bunch of sides and mocha cupcakes with mocha frosting for dessert. After the dishes were done, we sat around the tree in the living room and opened presents then had hot chocolate and watched movies. My family holidays often were contentious so these holiday dinners were so soothing and lovely.

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    1. Apricot and prune-stuffed pork sounds delicious! What a lovely evening, that sounds like!

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  15. As a kid I always looked forward to Chanukah because it was the only time my mom would make potato pancakes.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    1. But now that you're a grown-up you can make them any time! And the great thing about potato pancakes is that they go well with any meal! :)

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  16. It was last years Thanksgiving with my new family I was so nervous (being the first holiday with my boyfriend and his kids) me and his daughter got wine drunk while cooking lol but had so much fun. This year me and my new daughter did it again it's our new tradition. Pyrosmatches69@gmail.com

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  17. I remember celebrating with my dads side of the family. It was always loud (I have 7 aunts and uncles and 20+ cousins) and crazy but plenty to eat and be thankful for. Somehow we all fit. Now most of my family is gone so we do smaller celebrations with my parents and brothers family at my parents house. We just love being together for meals.
    bmedrano34@yahoo.com

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  18. Our yearly tradition was to host a large family get together. Everyone looked forward to enjoying a yummy feast which consisted of their favorite holiday dishes. I miss those days filled with love, relatives, cousins, hope and close chats that we could think about and recall. We would decorate for the kids, pick out unique presents and show off our newest finery. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  19. I can't of one in particular as they are all memorable. Each Christmas Eve we all gather to have our traditional Norwegian feast--oyster stew and lefse (cold potato pancakes). There is always lots of laughter, good stories, and kids playing. We have done this since we were kids--now it's our kids and their kids. Love to have the tradition continue.

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    1. forgot to add e-mail lsum1258 (at) aol (dot) com

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  20. Omg. I don't remember the exact year. But I was a teenager and my family had Christmas dinner/party at my cousin's house. Some of us spontaneously put on show and got in groups to perform different songs and made up our own dances. It was really fun and hilarious because it was on the spot. We had only five minutes to pick any Christmas song and figure out what we were going to do. Thank God my cousin was recording and we can watch, look back and laugh at that. That was really one fun Christmas.

    By the way, all if these books looks and sounds amazing. I would love to read them. Some are on my tbr list and just added the others. Thanks for doing this giveaway. Hope I win and good luck to everyone.

    Email: jacolbie_riggins@yahoo.com

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  21. We used to play Tripoley after Christmas Eve dinner. We had about 14 people playing and only one deck of cards. Always a fun time. We tried to play it last year but were too tired after all the food and pie. This year would have been great to play, but...COVID. Hopefully next year. kkcochran (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  22. This isn't an actual meal, but it does involve baking. We always spend Christmas Eve day making treats for Santa. There was one year tho that we decided to do a "Twelve Days of Christmas" treats. We made a treat each day leading up to Christmas that fit the song for that day.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  23. The first Christmas with my grandmother after she arrived in the USA.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  24. Always had great meals for Christmas dinner.But one of my best memories is when my mom and I would bake cookies.While listening to Nat king cole Christmas music.She passed a few years ago. Thank you for the chance

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    1. I forgot to leave my email address.Gogo2007@rocketmail.com

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  25. One Christmas I was taking sweet potatoes out of the oven to set on the counter, not realizing there was some water in that spot. As soon as the hot dish touched the water, it exploded all over the kitchen. Thankfully no one got hurt, but it certainly made for a memorable holiday.

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  26. One Christmas I was taking sweet potatoes out of the oven to set on the counter, not realizing there was some water in that spot. As soon as the hot dish touched the water, it exploded all over the kitchen. Thankfully no one got hurt, but it certainly made for a memorable holiday.

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  27. One Christmas a friend and I went to Southern California to be tourists. We went to Solvang, and it is such a fun town. There just wasn’t enough time to do everything we wanted to do.

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    1. I've been to Solvang! It's so cute (in a strange way). I bet they go all out with the Christmas celebrations and decorations.

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  28. One Christmas Eve my brother and I cooked a Feast of Seven Fishes. It was yummy and fun but we haven't gotten to repeat it.

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  29. Last year having my kids and all 13 grandchildren together for Christmas happiest time of my life aruss1965@gmail.com

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    1. You are so fortunate to have that memory and the anticipation of repeating a wonderful holiday. Thank you for your comment, Anna.

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  30. My aunt had the best christmas dinners. I was her husbands part of the family so that was about a dozen there her and her husbands four kids then her sister and her children, so about 2 dozen people in a medium size house. My greatest childhood memories of christmas time.

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  31. My Dad used to get a ham for Christmas from the company he worked for so we had ham every year for Christmas with my Mom's favorite side dishes. Since a ham is too much food for us now, we have switched to pork schnitzel with our favorite side dishes. My sister makes the best schnitzel.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. One special Christmas memory was flying to New York for Christmas with our children. We stayed in a hotel in Manhattan and walked all over the city to look at the decorations and lights. We got together with my husband's sister and mother (they lived in Queens) and attended the Christmas with the Rockettes. We spent Christmas Day with them. This was when my mother-in-law was in her early stages of dementia. She ended up living with my sister-in-law for several years. This would be the last coherent holiday with her. Good memories to keep. bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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  33. I don't have a particular favorite memory. We always enjoy a traditional turkey dinner on Christmas day and play board games afterward. It seems that someone in the family gets a new game we have to play.

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  34. My favorite Christmas meals have always been on Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family. As we have all grown up, we now have Christmas Eve Eve since one of my cousin's family celebrates their Christmas on Christmas Eve. This year, like so many, we are unable to gather. Be will have the memories and laughter of year's past. I will miss my mom's layered dip and aunt's cheeseball! jteastman215atgmaildotcom

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  35. My best memories is when I was a kid all the family would get together and have a big family dinner. It was so much fun with all the cousins together.

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  36. Every Christmas Eve we would spend with my moms family. Then my dad would visit his sisters. It was nice seeing all the family. On Christmas we would go to mass and then come home and open presents

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  37. My favorite holiday memory is 5 days after Christmas 2008. This was when I welcomed my twin boys. Still the best holiday delivery I've ever had.

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  38. My favorite holiday memory is 5 days after Christmas 2008. This was when I welcomed my twin boys. Still the best holiday delivery I've ever had.

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  39. No particular holiday meal stands out. They have all been special in their own unique ways. Thanks for the chance to win!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  40. Unfortunately, my most impactful holiday memory is my fathers death on 2nd day of Hanukkah, which that year fell on Christmas Eve. I was in high school, many many years ago. Sara (annefitza (at) yahoo (dot) com)

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  41. Ok. The best Christmas my children and I had what our first Christmas after I left my husband and just moved into a tiny apartment. I told them there would be no presents that Christmas but they understood. My oldest of 4 was 13, the youngest 6. Around 11 o’clock Christmas Eve I got a knock on my door. It was the couple who rescued me and my kids. He asked if the kids were asleep and I said yes. He turned to someone and said OK start bringing it in.First came the Christmas tree, fully decorated. And then came the packages. When they were done, the packages were 4 feet high I am about 10 feet long. Apparently, the neighborhood has found out my situation and adopted my family. When my kids woke up the next morning the look on their faces was priceless. I captured every moment and still have the pictures. To this day my kids I’ll talk about that Christmas and how it was so fantastic. My son still pulls an angel from the Angel Trees because he was once one.

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    1. This is such a wonderful, moving story of kindness, Jane. Thank you for sharing it. Hugs.

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  42. We always have brunch eggs, poppyseed roll and mimosas for brunch and around 4:30 go outto eat Chinese!

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  43. When I was younger, my mom's entire family would get together at my grandparents house for Christmas. My Grandma knit stocking for all of the grandkids to hang up. She would make the traditional Swiss steak (Grandpa didn't like turkey) and one of the salad was lemon jello with shredded carrots and celery in it. Now that I have my own family, we make Christmas pancakes Christmas Eve with strawberries, whipped cream and sausage.

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  44. My favorite holiday meal was last Thanksgiving before my mom went into nursing home and passed. I cherish the memory.
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. As well you might. My sympathies on your loss, Jess.

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  45. I don't know how it started but every year on Christmas Eve my parents make homemade burritos and we have nachos. Now when they say oh lets change it my sister and I pout because we love this tradition so much. we are 48 and 46 years old now and we have been doing this for more than 30 years.

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    1. That sounds like a great tradition! I may borrow it!

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  46. My husband and I were expats in Taiwan. It was before we had kids. For New Year's Eve dinner we served a fancy composed salad and onion cream cheese filled blintz with champagne and shots of vodka. A good time was had by all as we nibbled, tippled and chatted.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  47. Cleo! Love those pictures of Marc as a boy!

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  48. What lovely stories -- keep 'em coming!

    For many years, Mr. Right and I have hosted a holiday brunch for friends a week or so before Christmas, and it's always a warm, wonderful gathering. Our house isn't huge, so the year everyone was able to come, and one couple brought their visiting kids, and another brought visiting mutual friends, the place was brimming. We had a very social cat then, and he was in heaven -- all those laps!

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  49. It's hard to narrow a memorable holiday meal down to just one as we've been blessed with many. There was the year my mother-in-law thought the turkey was roasting; someone messed with the timer and it shut the oven off before it even warmed up. We spent one New Year's Eve in Mazatlan, Mexico. We had dinner in a lovely restaurant on the plaza. We each ate 12 grapes for luck in the new year. And then we listened to music and watched fireworks on the plaza.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  50. Hubby & I went to Hawaii for the Christmas Holidays 30+ years ago. Discovered the hotel and all the places to eat were closed on Christmas. Our meal was from the vending machines. But the view was great as we sat on the beach to eat it. rmmoss2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  51. My most memorable holiday meals were the ones at my grandparents house. Lots of food, all my aunts, uncles and cousins. My grandma would go all out. She even hired a horse drawn sleigh to take us around the nearby lake. kathyclugston3@gmail.com

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  52. It's hard to choose just one, but I spent over three years teaching English in South Korea and the fellow native English teachers were my family during that time. We'd all get together for potluck holiday meals and play games and drink a LOT of soju and the night often ended with karaoke. Great times :)

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    1. Those times away from home can be so bonding, Mia.

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  53. No matter what changes happen in life we always cherish our family time. I will see something during the year and buy it. I will wrap it up and give it to the person as a practice Christmas present. On Christmas we will have some presents but the best present is being together.

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  54. Our holiday meal has been prime rib for the past 28 years. I took over the meal after my father passed away and have enjoyed being able to ask my aunt and cousin for various tips over the years.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  55. One of my favorites was the year I got to spend Christmas with my sister and her family. Christmas morning she baked a breakfast casserole that she had put together the night before. That way, she didn't miss out on any of the fun. I liked the casserole so much that I made it my own tradition. cindystamps(at)juno(dot)com

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  56. I think the year my parents had 25 people was the most memorable. I love large gatherings. I was in my early 20's and the main dishwasher. I thought the dirty dishes would never end. jasblue0324(at) yahoo (d0t) (com)

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  57. Love the gathering & hearing everyone memories of Christmas 🎄 pass.. thank you for the chance to enter the contest. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 to all! Cmeier2001@live.com

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  58. I liked our family holiday meals back in the late 70's when all of the "kids" were still alive and everyone got together at our folks' house to celebrate. That was always fun. After we lost my sister and brother, all of that ended. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  59. Thank you for these wonderful books. I love Christmas themed books. My house will by a quiet Christmas. We plan a good meal and Christmas movies. My email is Allgoodanita@yahoo.com and my name is Anita Allgood.

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  60. I don’t have a memory of one particular holiday meal, but growing up we always had Christmas dinner at my grandmother’s. My family would spend Christmas Eve at my grandparents (even though we only lived about 30 minutes away) so my mom would be there early to help my grandmother. After dinner, all the uncles played poker, and the cousins played Spoons or some other card game. Great memories! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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  61. For me, every Christmas Eve my mom did all the cooking and we always had her dad and my dad's mom there to celebrate with us! lindaherold999@gmail.com

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  62. This "meal memory" is one that I'd rather forget, but, thinking about it right now makes me giggle. My first husband and I normally would go to his mother's home for our holiday dinners, but, one year everyone decided it would be nice to come to our house. Naturally it was the hosts who cooked the turkey. This was my first time ever! It was actually easier than I had thought it would be and it turned out beautifully. My oldest and most outspoken sister-in-law was at the table cutting herself another slice of turkey when I heard a scream of laughter. I looked over to see her holding a little bag in her hand. I didn't know what it was until my mother-in-law told me that that bag contained the giblets of the turkey. I didn't know it was in the turkey cavity and cooked it right along with the rest of the bird. Everyone got a good laugh at my expense and taught me a good lesson too! sxygrndma48 {at} yahoo {dot} com

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    1. Great story, Sandy T. Thank you for sharing it.

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  63. I don't have one specific meal memory - more of a blend of memories. I am the youngest of nine children. Christmas was all about being with my family. We always went to mass on Christmas Eve - we'd have a big family dinner before. Christmas day was always spent with all of us at home, with family friends stopping by. For dinner, ham was usually the main event, cream corn, roast potatoes, rolls, green beans, etc. Every year my mom would make peanut butter fudge and date squares, and pies - usually apple and pumpkin. I still dream sometimes about those old family Christmas! Renee - rwilson(at)ws4r(dot)com.

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  64. Love this post, captures the most important memories made with family! I love family holiday celebrations!

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  65. My parents hosted my father’s family on Christmas Eve for many years carrying on what my grandparents had started. It grew as the family grew with friends and neighbors dropping in. Christmas morning was a bit crazy as we got ready for Christmas dinner with my mother’s family. My sister and I always wanted leftovers from Christmas Eve. So breakfast was swedish meatballs, macaroni salad, cold ham, cheese, rye bread etc. It was fun and easy and not a chore for Mom and Dad.

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  66. My most memorable Christmas is turning the page back in time to when my grandparents were with us. Sitting around the table at my aunt and uncle's home with the extension in the dining room table with a groaning array of food. Typical Italian Christmas with antipasto (you have to stop eating all that goodness), next up Uncle Joe's lasagna, roast beef and all the traditional sides plus Uncle Joe's Marsala mushrooms, and then fruit and Dad's roasted chestnuts. Finally, my buche de Noel and Christmas cookies after a rest! Such a beautiful memory and thank you for letting me share it! sharonrizzo@hotmail.com

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  67. My fondest Christmas memories are of family gathering at my parent's house. My mother would cook Mediterranean dishes for days before (lamb was a must) and as kids we would couldn't wait for everyone to arrive so we could celebrate together. I miss both my parents, but we try to make it special for my kids and all the kids in the family now. Christmastime is my favorite holiday!

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  68. I remember once we ate Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant - normally we ate with family but we had moved and didn't have any family nearby. My mom put the turkey in the oven, set the timer and we went somewhere. Apparently, there was a power outage while we were gone, and even though the power was back on, the oven wasn't so the turkey was still raw.

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  69. My fondest Christmas memories were when my mom was alive. We’d have all the family and extended family (aunts, cousins, friends, etc.) over for dinner, and good times!!! Best memories ❤️

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  70. It looks like neither of my comments "took" for some reason. We had huge Thanksgivings and Christmas Eves w/ my dad's side of the family, since he had one brother and five sisters. There were 20 of us first cousins in my generation, but by the time the youngest were being born, the oldest was having her own 4 children. So the gatherings were huge! The food was great every time, of course, but what was important was the family! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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    1. I see your comment. Glad you tried again. Such fun with family.

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  71. Most memorable holiday meal was the last Easter celebration we shared with my in-laws. What we did not know at the time was that it was the last time we would share a meal with my Father-in-law. He passed away a week later. It was the traditional polish Easter dinner of borsch, kielbasa, sauerkraut, jajecznic (egg loaf), perogies, pickled beets, pearl onions, and ham. A real feast with wonderful and loving family members.

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  72. We moved around the country so much ever since I was 10, that holidays were always slightly different, and the circle of family and friends also expanded and grew older. Ever since our baby brother found out about the myth of Santa Claus from his blabby older brother, we began celebrating with a festive dinner and opening all gifts on Xmas Eve, so we could all sleep late the next day and not hurry. Being the oldest and only daughter I had to help my mother and we usually had chicken gumbo before diving into the ham and scalloped potatoes, (still my fave)in the festive dining room, with football games on TV in the den vying with my mother's holiday music in the kitchen! One of many memorable Xmas Eve parties was the night my husband (a Pisces like my dad, birthdays a day apart, and Dad was only 18 yrs. older than dh) gave my dad a funny mug with a horse's rear end, along with a poem he'd composed...which was hilarious, as they'd both been into writing poetry at the time. Thus began the tradition of exchanging gag gifts! Mom was so thrilled, she'd write names and place them in a hat, literally, on Thanksgiving, and kept a list of who was the secret gag exchangers every year, and later the grandkids got to draw names too. It could be anything, as long as it cost less than $20. Well, Mom used that to purge her attic and garage of all kinds of our old stuff, and that's how I got back my Betsy Wetsy doll when I was in my 40's, and my old tap shoes, etc. through the years. The original horse mug got passed around several times too, along with silly things like the singing flower pot whose petals lit up and bounced, just all kinds of jokey things. The tradition lasted until just a few years ago after my dad's first major stroke. But we sure had some fun times, with lots of good food, drink and memories. I've enjoyed reading everyone's stories, this was a great blog post! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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  73. Lots of holiday stories! Love this post. My favorite memories are not so much a meal but the time spent together as a family. I am the youngest of 8, so the older ones added spouses and grandchildren and by the time I was a teenager we had huge gatherings! Loved all the cookies that I often helped to make. Today we are spread across the country, so the memories are great. ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  74. unfortunately, one of the more memorable christmas dinners was because of the food poisoning several family members suffered from (chicken).
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  75. Where was I yesterday?!
    These are terrific! Your are such interesting people.
    One holiday memory I have is everyone sitting down to eat and my uncle Howell cutting into the turkey. It was raw! Back to the oven while we all ate the other offerings.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. LOL on the raw turkey, Libby! I think we need another group post on holiday disasters (good idea for next year :)).

      Cheers to all for sharing your memories and happy holidays to everyone!

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  76. My favorite Christmas dinner is my sisters chicken curry. everyone in the family loves it. it brings us all to the table
    tasigmund@gmail.com

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  77. I have enjoyed the sides and desserts most from holiday meals. Rum cake, oyster casserole, and corn pudding are favorites most years. Thanks for sharing your holiday food memories with your readers.
    browningterry(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  78. Nine years ago we first hosted the family Christmas with our new grandson there. We fixed a traditional meal with rum cake and a Baskin Robbins cake for dessert. Such a good memory.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  79. We used to have a huge family gathering at my grandma's house and everyone would get together and help cook everything. It was an organized chaos but great fun! As the family moved away we don't have that anymore and I miss it but we all keep in touch around the holidays even though we can't all get together. hollystover13(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  80. It's always at my Mom's, we tried once to hold it somewhere else. We actually ended up mid try packing it all up to take it to Mom's. We vowed that year to never try it again. Because watching this caravan of cars with food, presents, people and pets was hilarious.

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  81. The winner of the 7 books is Kathy Clugston. Thank you to everyone for sharing your memorable holidays. I enjoyed reading about them, and so did the other writers at MLK. Happy holidays!

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