The Holidays are coming, the holidays are coming!

Posted by Leticia, 25 Nov

As if the holidays were not stressful enough, the crazy cousin, a drunken uncle and the ex's and current love interest all invited to the same table. Add to the mix, a multicultural relationship filled with different traditions and customs. Now, you've got a sure fire recipe for a festive holiday get- together. How do you deal with the differences and get to the true meaning of the season?

Are you ready to meet those friends and families with a "different way of doing thangs"?

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Well, I don't know about you but I absolutely love the holiday season. I love the music, the decorations the food. I love that it's a time of year that family and friends get together and try so very hard to be on their best behavior. People think about those less fortunate and are they more giving during the holidays. Come to think of it... I think I love the "idea" of the holidays. Somehow it doesn't usually run quite like that in my house.

First there is the every single year debate about "where are we going this year"? Everyone wants it to be at their house, but no one wants to do all the preparation in making that happen. So, everyone tries to decide who's bringing what, what time, who's picking up whom and without fail...somebody's ex something is invited as the "entertainment" portion of the night.

Now the really cool thing about my family is that all though we could make a beautiful poster representing many cultures, the tradition are for the most part condensed and refined and rolled into one big, cook the food, put in on the table, say grace and eat. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Of course I'm leaving out the belching, farting and cussing parts. When there has been occasion for someone new and outside the family to join us, it is an unspoken rule that the person that invites them must explain the ways of the family. It's astonishing how good manners are universal. My rule of thumb has always been, if you don't know...look at the person next to you and ask the person who invited you.

The best part of mixing and meeting new people, families and different cultures with diverse traditions is the opportunity to learn something new...the food, the music, the language and religious affiliations. It's also great to be taught about new traditions as well as to teach about your family history and traditions.

A great way to open dialogue is by bringing something that is unique to your own culture and sharing that with the new family. Remember, there is a time and a place to voice your political, social, and economic views. Be mindful of where you are and take the proper precautions not to offend or insult. But also, be prepared to have a thick skin for some family member's whose ignorance to your background is very apparent.

Holidays can be a very painful time for many as well. The memories of the ones we lost or being alone during the season is a reality for many. Whether you spend this holiday season in the company of many or alone, remember to take it one day at a time. And just because it's this way today, doesn't mean it'll have to be that way next time...unless you want it to be.

If you find yourself alone, a single parent or you just want to try something new with your family, how about volunteering at a local shelter? What a great way to give of yourself. You may be surprised how much you get in return.

This is Leticia...hoping that one day we can all sit at the same table and celebrate life.

Happy Holidays!

Responses to "The Holidays are coming, the holidays are coming!"

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  1.   SWEETNES20 says:
    Posted: 15 Jan 07

    I GOT THE AFTER CHRISTMAS BLUES.

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  2. Posted: 03 Jan 07

    I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and New year!

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  3.   nehuskerfan says:
    Posted: 03 Jan 07

    Very interesting! Enjoy the holidays... Enjoy the New Year!

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  4.   Fala says:
    Posted: 30 Dec 06

    Just back from Christmas with Mom and am I tired! She knows how to drive me crazy like nobody else can. Glad I survived!

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  5.   turbogirl says:
    Posted: 28 Dec 06

    Mmmmmh nice to be back in Uk highly refreshed and filled with energy. I Rocked Naples, yeah, and i enjoyed every bit, but i nearly bit my tongue tring to speak Italian. Didn't go anywhere without my dictionary.... hahahah. I hope everyone else had a lovely holiday?

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  6.   Fala says:
    Posted: 24 Dec 06

    Merry Christmas Everybody! God Bless Us, Every One!

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  7.   lizzy2005 says:
    Posted: 22 Dec 06

    Everyone have a Happy Christmas and a Good New Year!

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  8.   GOTGAME says:
    Posted: 22 Dec 06

    I love working on the holidays cuz double and triple time is tha shiot boy!!!!!!!!!!!

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  9.   Fala says:
    Posted: 21 Dec 06

    Catching a plane to Ole Miss tonight to visit mom. I'll be chatting with all you guys when I get there. Everybody be good and be safe!

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  10.   xhotlover says:
    Posted: 20 Dec 06

    Holidays are good to meet new people online.

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  11.   aantonio says:
    Posted: 20 Dec 06

    I love this time of year. Nothing like good old Italian food and spening it with my family. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE.

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  12.   SoSilky says:
    Posted: 20 Dec 06

    The Holidays are to be treasured, even if you don't have all the food, presents, crazy family and etc to enjoy them with. Remember to be thankful for what u do have and whom u are with. Jesus is the reason for the season....

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  13.   lizzy2005 says:
    Posted: 20 Dec 06

    T he holidays will soon be here. yey!

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  14. Posted: 19 Dec 06

    Merry Christmas everyone and just watch the calories!!

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  15.   fala says:
    Posted: 19 Dec 06

    I'm getting ready to leave town to spend a week with my mother. I hope I survive.

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  16.   Candy40dd says:
    Posted: 18 Dec 06

    I think the holiday is a time to relax in spend time with family in friends you don't have time to see during the year.. Just enjoy it, in not complain.. Alot of people wish, they just had someone to hold or talk to... Lifes to short..

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  17. Posted: 18 Dec 06

    good article--I will have to try a couple of these dishes!!

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  18. Posted: 18 Dec 06

    happy holidays to everybody

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  19.   dannie says:
    Posted: 17 Dec 06

    Oh what a special time of the year. I always look forward to the planning. Nothing ever goes as planned but it always ends up being a holiday with memorable experiences. This year we will have three cultures represented, Dutch, American and Mexican.

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  20.   turbogirl says:
    Posted: 16 Dec 06

    Only 6 days left and am off to Italy and on my birthday too. Am gonna rock the whole of naples. Ho ho ho Napoli here i come......

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  21.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 16 Dec 06

    only 10 days left!!!

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  22.   JustBelieve says:
    Posted: 16 Dec 06

    One of my best trips,was to Mexico during the Holidays. It was my first trip with friends. We spent 3 days in Mexico City, then traveled to Guanajuato for New Years Eve in the country.Then two days later my friend's brother got married. Although there was a language barrier, I felt at home with all the love that was shown me from many of my friend's relatives and other friends.

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  23.   Fala says:
    Posted: 16 Dec 06

    Just eat and drink and enjoy. The rest is all not so important.

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  24.   charlee1 says:
    Posted: 15 Dec 06

    i love the christmas holidays especially as i get to spend 10 whole days at home with my kids. but its also a sad time as i lost my younger brother a few years ago. holidays are always the worst for us as a family, but it also makes us realise how special we are to each other and not to take anything for granted. forget the silly arguments, just enjoy the time you have together because who knows when it will be taken away. happy christmas to all.

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  25.   nehuskerfan says:
    Posted: 15 Dec 06

    very interesting article and very interesting comments. Have a happy and safe one.

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  26.   xhotlover says:
    Posted: 15 Dec 06

    i love the holidays

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  27.   turbogirl says:
    Posted: 15 Dec 06

    I love holidays with my family, unfortunately, this year, i'd be spending it on my own, but i hope it's gonna be a lovely one, as am off to Italy (Naples) for 5 nites, as it's my bithday as well on the 22nd of Dec.

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  28.   msjanine says:
    Posted: 14 Dec 06

    The holidays are very stressful at times. I know for me I feed about 50 people every year and after all of that cooking you are tired and have a house full of guests and you try to make the most of it. However the best thing in the world is having your family around you during the holidays not too many people do that family holiday tradition. I am truely blessed its still done within my family. Happy Holidays

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  29.   JustBelieve says:
    Posted: 14 Dec 06

    The holiday season is what you make it. In the past, I would try to make it home to see my parents. Or it was just a day to be with my sisters and their kids. Volunteering on Christmas demonstrates the meaing of this special day.

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  30.   Coco says:
    Posted: 13 Dec 06

    Fore everyone who isn't as fortunate as I am to want to be around their own family during the holidays, all I can say is be thankful for every time you are with them. You never know when it will be the last time you see each other. I wish everyone here a Very Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

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  31.   Ann says:
    Posted: 12 Dec 06

    We have different nationalities in our family. We have a good time learning from each other and tasting different foods. It is so educational and fun!!1

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  32.   unme23 says:
    Posted: 11 Dec 06

    happy holidays to everybody and their families.

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  33.   gms77 says:
    Posted: 11 Dec 06

    A great article, good input...

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  34.   texasbest says:
    Posted: 11 Dec 06

    Have a safe fun and healty christmas

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  35.   mossimo36 says:
    Posted: 11 Dec 06

    Holidays....my favorite time of year. Great article

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  36.   sweetest1 says:
    Posted: 11 Dec 06

    I am so thankful I have my family and friends to celebrate with this year--its been a trying year for me and I can't celebrate like I normally do buying lots of gifts and things, but my family was very understanding and supportive.

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  37.   WHYTB0Y says:
    Posted: 10 Dec 06

    holidays should be a time of celebration and joy , but also keep in mind the true meaning of holidays , if you research several of them you might find the way you traditionally celebrate them is not the true way they were meant .myself my children will know from start that santa is not real . i want them to know the truth that jesus is the real hero on christmas.

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  38.   lizzy2005 says:
    Posted: 09 Dec 06

    Great recipe ideas! I am going to try these this Christmas.

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  39.   Natural72 says:
    Posted: 09 Dec 06

    It's always good to ave a back up plan for when the relatives get on your nerves. However food is one of the universal things that usually brings folks closer together despite any other differences they may have.

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  40.   auroraxxx says:
    Posted: 09 Dec 06

    HAY RONDY!!! COMMING TO MY PLACE FOR XMAS THIS YEAR GIRL....IN AUSSIE WE WILL BE WEARING BIKINIS AND SWIMMMING IN THE POOL, HAVING A BARBI-Q...AND OF COURSE DRINKING LOTSA BEER..HO HO HO .. AHHH DOES IT GET BETTER EN THAT...CHEERS ALL..;D....OH AND SANTA PLZ DONT FORGET MY PONY...I HAVE BEEN A GOOD GIRL :)....ho ho ho

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  41. Posted: 08 Dec 06

    now if it would only snow, to make it complete

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  42.   rachel says:
    Posted: 08 Dec 06

    I love the holidays

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  43. Posted: 07 Dec 06

    Yes..good article..and I agree with fala's statement a couple days ago...!!

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  44.   Deena says:
    Posted: 07 Dec 06

    I love the holidays! I come from a HUGE family so it\\\'s impossible to have a quiet gathering. I wouldn\\\'t trade it for the world though!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, SAFE NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!

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  45.   Frenchie83 says:
    Posted: 07 Dec 06

    You have to be who you are at holiday events. Enjoy it, respect the folks you're visiting, but don't try and be something you're not. If it becomes far too uncomfortable then you shouldn't feel bad to graciously thank the host family and make your way to your room/hotel/car to drive home.

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  46.   lizzy2005 says:
    Posted: 07 Dec 06

    Greta idea. Wish someone cute would cook me this!

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  47.   Fala says:
    Posted: 07 Dec 06

    Try exercising during the holidays. It helps reduce stress and you can lose any extra pounds you gain eating all that good stuff!

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  48.   xina03 says:
    Posted: 07 Dec 06

    I prefer my holidays with family.

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  49.   Carla says:
    Posted: 06 Dec 06

    I love the holidays but going into the stores and shopping and seeing how rude people are around the holidays makes me sad...what happened to the spirit of it all ;(

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  50.   Fala says:
    Posted: 05 Dec 06

    My family drives me crazy too - but I'll keep them anyway. The holidays only come once a year and we manage to spend time together and get a few laughs out of it.

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