When it comes to Christmas traditions I feel like my family somehow skipped the chapter, “How to be a Social Media Worthy Family During the Holidays” in the Modern Family Traditions book. Don’t get me wrong, we have long standing customs that, depending on the year, we choose to execute. Cookie baking weaves its way in and out every few years. When I put up a Christmas tree, the worlds ugliest ornament known to mankind that I made when I was 3 years old out of a lightbulb, newspaper and paint is always be placed in the back of the tree, out of sight, because my mother thinks it’s “beautiful.” So while we don’t have a list of fa, la, la activities centered around singing, dancing and crafts,we do have one centered around food.
Shocking I know.
A bit of the back story. My dad was a peculiar eater. His distinctive palate enjoyed fried summer sausage sandwiches, liver sausage and lima bean but did not enjoy cheese. Thus, the man didn’t eat pizza. (weirdo! who doesn’t like pizza? It’s a gift from God). As far as I can remember we hosted Christmas at our house and every Christmas Eve was spent setting up. As a treat in the evening, we would eat pizza delivery and open gifts. You should check out these gift hampers for her if you still haven’t found the perfect gift. My dad, diametrically opposed to eating cheese, would order and eat an Italian Beef Sandwich.
My dad passed away when I was 15 years old. I’m really not sure when it happened but, but a few years after he passed we ended up ordering Italian beef sandwiches on Christmas Eve. The pizza place that we typically ordered from was closed and the only other open restaurant had horrible pizza. So, my sister, mom and I each got a beef sandwich. OMG- Delicious. Maybe my dad was on to something ordering them for all those years on Christmas Eve.
In 2002 I moved into my first condo in Chicago and it was then that I discover my favorite Italian beef in the city, Mr. Beef. Every Chicagoan has an Italian beef preference, I’m not here to argue who has better beef, giardiniera or gravy. I like Mr. Beef and in 2002 on Christmas Eve I packed up my car with 3 beef sandwiches and headed to my moms to celebrate Christmas Eve. After a few bites and singing songs of deliciousness praise, my mom and my sister both agreed that therein Mr. Beef would be our Christmas Eve tradition.
Tomorrow night I will be at moms opening gifts with her and my sister and eating Italian beef in memory of my dad. It a great and special tradition that we look forward to every year. What special traditions do you have in your family?
I love Mr. Beef. My Chicago food tradition was a Cuban Sabdwich from 28 Miles. I’m really sad to not have it this year.