Traditions

Mark and I have a dinner party coming up next weekend with our International Dinner Club. This will be the first time the group has attempted to get together during the holidays. I volunteered us for the hosting job because I take such delight in getting the house ready for the holidays and love any opportunity to show it off. I've decided because Christmas is such a big deal at our house that we should incorporate that into our theme. What is it that makes the holidays so special? Is it the tree, the decorations, the spirit of giving? For me and my family it's all about the traditions we have established over the years. From the annual Christmas photos and letters to friends and family chronicling our yearly events to our family tree decorating ritual to our excursion to the tree at the Hotel del Coronado, it's the same every year and we wouldn't change a bit of it. I'm curious as to what other people have for traditions at their house so I've Incorporated that theme into the party. People were assigned menu topics and asked to bring what was traditional at their house for that dish; i.e., does your family have a traditional salad or dessert that you have to have during the holidays? If so, that is what you bring. If not, it's time to start a new tradition. To commemorate this party I've created a family traditions mini album for each family. I pulled random shots from various Christmas' past and put them in my album. I'm hoping this dinner party will spark a new tradition among our friends that we can share for years to come.