My family's Christmas tradition: Songs, movies and mimosas

Throughout the county, many families will be celebrating Christmas in their own way in less than a week. For some, it is watching a particular holiday movie, or opening one present on Christmas Eve, but at the Karazsia house, Christmas begins on the day of Thanksgiving.

My mother is a Christmas freak. Yes Mom, I said it. The days leading up to Thanksgiving, there is a certain restlessness present in her movements, which translates into not so passive modes of speech. It always begins with a question: "So, what do you want for Christmas?"

"Mom, it's the middle of November."

Looking up from her book, she generally stares in with quaint condescension, "It's Nov. 20. You know I like to get my Christmas shopping done early," her metallic tone is akin to tinsel.

These questions retain a frequency until well into December.

Upon my arrival to my parent's house Thanksgiving morning, every year emanating from the living room, is the soft tones of Bing Crosby, or considerably worse Mariah Carey (In truth, my favorite Christmas song is "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl). This barrage of Christmas music will last until Jan. 1. In fear of sounding too critical, I do not begrudge my mother for this tradition, instead I admire her enthusiasm, which seems to grow as December progresses.

With Christmas music being the soundtrack of the days to come, the next big event takes place on the day before the holiday. Since I was a child, Christmas Eve is spent at my grandmother's house. As a quick aside, my grandmother, Ernie Ferry, will be turning 91 this year on Dec. 23. Two things generally happen on Christmas Eve: We get to open one present, and watch at least one showing of A Christmas Story, which is shown on TBS on a 24 hour cycle (I am sure Peter Billingsley, who plays Ralphie, also enjoys this time of year due to the outstanding syndication check he receives). Because of this, I cannot help thinking about Christmas without thinking of a Red Ryder BB Gun, the Bumpus' dogs or the "major award."

My family on my mother's side arrive from all over the country from as far as Michigan or California, or as close as Clinton to join in this tradition.

After the celebration ends, we return to my parent's house and wait for morning.

As a child, I would often be the terror of my parents. I was never known to be an early riser. This is well documented. But on Christmas night, I would wake up in two hour intervals, waiting for it to be morning. I would go into my parent's room as early as 5 a.m., where they would promptly tell me, in the politest way possible, to get lost. Sleeping on Christmas Eve is never a problem today. In fact, my parents issued a proclamation which states I must sleep at their house, because otherwise, I would not wake up until well past noon.

Since then they have been able to compensate with providing mimosas in the morning -- a Christmas tradition I can definitely get behind.

Grant is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at (812) 847-4487, ext. 19. He can also be reached via email at gkarazsia@gmail.com.