Family Traditions

Every family I know has some sort of tradition. Some have to do with holidays while some are about the typical family vacation-- I myself am lucky enough to have both. I have done the Cape Cod family vacation for years (maybe even 27 years,but who's counting). Maybe I will share a Cape Cod story or two later on, but now I want to talk about the tradtion of all traditions--Christmas. I know it is August and Christmas is still a ways off, but as I was looking through an online cataloge today and I came across something that sparked a fantastic memory.


For those of you that know me and my family--it is NOT the making of Nana's famous fruitcake cookies (which I am sure I will blog about right after we make them). While that is fun, this has another sentimental meaning. It is one of those traditions that people, especially people in my family DO NOT like (don't worry Aunt Tammy I won't tell them it is you!!!)-- the watching of "A Christmas Story!" While this may not seem like a tradition to some of you my cousin Justin and I have it down to an artform! Infact--it isn't Christmas without that movie playing over and over again. I should mention that I don't think we have ever watched the full movie on Christmas-- we tend to get bits and pieces here and there (you know all the interuptions from family complaining abuot having to watch it AGAIN!!!





TBS which highlights this classic movie for a full 24 hours each Christmas (Justin and I have probably watched about 18 hours--give or take a few each year) is the choice channel at Nana's house. I can tell you personally there is nothing like curling up on the couches with the ones you love watching poor sweet Ralphie desire that infamous Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifel--that yes he will shoot his eye out with. Or even better him charging at the bully Scut Farkus blooding his face while swearing non-stop as he nails him blow for blow.



I also appreciate the small but memorable scenes that make you smile-- Ralphie's bratty little brother Randy who can not move in his snowsuit, the pink bunny costume, the "major award" that Ralphie's father won that led to the battle of the lamp (which Ralphie's mother won in the most unthinkable way), Flick being "trible dog dared" to stick his tongue to a flagpole (who knew this movie would lead to an adult film career for Flick-who knew!!!) and last but certainly not least Bumpuses's bloodhounds that led to disaster and Christmas dinner at the Chinese returant.
I can still hear that line coming out of Ralphie's father's mouth..."Damn you Bumpuses'!!!!"

While thinking about this movie I realised that there are a lot of similarities between Ralphie and his family and my own family (not as many as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" but still a lot of similarities--yes I said it we are like them and they are like us!!! Now I don't have an Aunt Clara that bought me or my cousin's a pink bunny suit, but I did have a Great great Aunt Ida who bought me outfits that I would not wear (her intentions were wonderful, but like Ralphie I just wouldn't be caught dead in some of them).

No I should say I am sorry to my Uncle Doug right away, but I compare my him to Ralphie's father, but only in one way (and this is where my Nana's fruitcake cookies come in to play)--my uncle can smell those cookies from 100 miles away without us telling him that they were made or being made. It is like he has a camera hidden in that kitchen or an internal warning light like a submarine! He takes to those cookies as Ralphie's father takes to that darn turkey! The one disappointment is the we don't have the Bumpuses' as neighbors!

While thinking about it in greater depth, I have to say that my Poppy was like Ralphie's father in another way. A few years before he passed away he went back to Vietnam to see the country. When he came back my Nana was surprised by the "lawn statue" that he returned with--a nude woman laying on her side! Yup it was a real prize and it was fragile-- you know it was from Italy. If this was the comparrison for my Poppy then that would make my Nana 100% like Ralphie's mom-- she won that battle against my grandfather and the last time I saw that statue it was inside my aunt and uncle's pool shed hidden from the world! My Nana didn't have to break it to get rid of it!!!

While I guess my family could be compared to much worse (i.e. The Bundy's (I mean Al and Peggy), The Simpsons or those crazy kids from The Jersey Shore (they say they are not only friends--they are family--plus who in my family could be Snooki?!?!?!)) All in all Christmas at my Nana's and "The Christmas Story" are what makes my holidays!

For all of you who haven't seen it -- a) where have you been living all these years and b) run don't walk to your nearest dvd/video/beta store and get a copy!!!-- here is a highlight of some of the best lines (but still missing a lot of classic ones)