For many people, myself included, the holidays are an opportunity to engage in special traditions with friends and family. Below are some of my family’s holiday traditions!
“La Noche Buena:” My mom and her family are Cuban, so this tradition has Latin American roots. My aubelo and abuela – or grandfather and grandmother – come over on Christmas Eve for a traditional meal of ropa vieja (beef in a red sauce) with black beans, rice, and fried plantains. My mom’s black beans are absolutely delicious!
Cinnamon Rolls: Every year as far back as I can remember, my family has always had cinnamon rolls and kielbasa sausage fried with brown sugar for breakfast. This one is probably more common, and not all that unique, but it’s still important to me.
The Christmas Pickle: I genuinely do not remember how we obtained it, but we have a tree ornament shaped like a pickle that gets put on the tree after all the kids in the house go to bed. Whoever finds the pickle first on Christmas morning gets to open the first present. It’s a fun little game for everyone searching!
Whatever your traditions may be, I hope you all get the opportunity to spend time with the people you love this holiday season!
Ren Monin
Staff Reporter
