The Family Traditional Celebration

             Having a person fall on ice is expected. But having the same person fall every year is hilarious.

                Every December 24^th is the day that my family gets together to celebrate Christmas. Each year my little sister Monei who is eight years old falls trying to run up the stairs. After all of the entertainment, we all greet each other. The first thing that I do is take a glance at all of the food that has been prepared. There are so many things that have been prepared by my auntie Tease who everyone calls the 50 year old military sergeant, because she is always trying to boss everyone around; and my step-mother Tracy who everyone calls Minnie me because she is very short. They have prepared corn bread, gumbo, chicken, red beans and rice, ham, dinner rolls, dressing, and greens there is plenty more. We then say grace and dig into all of the food.  After we are done eating it is around 10 P.M.

               We all then come together with our quarters and play bingo. The first game is usually a quarter and the prize is over five dollars. We play bingo about six times, and then we play family feud, our way, which is fun. All of the games usually last up to an hour. Once games are over everyone usually helps clean up and pack up any left overs, so when it’s time to go home everyone will be able to just leave. Around 11:45 P.M. everyone gathers up their Christmas gifts so that they can be exchanged.

                 At 12:00 A.M. everyone exchange their presents to each other. It is always the time of night where a lot of hugs and love is being passed around. After gifts are passed out, every one helps clean up their wrappings; with the confusion that it is a crowded, so there is very little space to move. It’s funny, because everybody is falling over each other. I personally cherish this day. The family has lost two loved ones around this time and it has been very hard to celebrate Christmas without having an emotional breakdown but it has not stopped the family tradition. We have learned to come closer to one another and have a good time. We encourage each other to enjoy the food, music, games, excitement, and love we all have to share. Once our party is over we end our night with big smiles and love on our hearts and lots of presents and I almost forgot lots of left overs.  With everyone having a happy and enjoyable Merry Christmas is part of the whole family traditional celebration.