Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
The Christmas tree is decorated. The gifts are wrapped.
There may not be snow outside, yet, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And I, for one, am looking forward to our family traditions.
Every family has its own traditions; our starts with cutting down a tree, something we did a week or two ago.
With the tree up and the lights already on, we’ve moved onto music and movies. Oh, the Christmas movies …
Break out the classics – “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “The Grinch” and others.
We don’t forget the Claymation DVDS. You know, “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and others. Even at my age, I enjoy watching the “Bumble” trying to catch Rudolph and Clarice, only to put the star on the top of the tree at the end of the movie.
Can you sing, “Silver and Gold?”
Oh, and don’t forget about “Home Alone” or “Christmas Story.” They may be newer, but they’re fun and should never be overlooked. Neither should “Die Hard” – yes, I’m one who considers it a Christmas movie, too.
Then there’s the food – and lots of it. There will be ham and prime rib (one for Christmas and one for New Year’s, although I never know which until it’s time to eat). Homemade pie, cookies, Chex mix, and eggnog are also mainstays around the Harnack house.
We’ll have Christmas tunes playing throughout the holidays, too. It’s hard to swear off rock’n’roll, but somehow we manage. Going down the road I’ll be playing the Christmas station in my truck to help keep me in the right mood.
Christmas Eve brings midnight Mass and the opening of the first presents. The next morning, after Santa visits, wrapping paper starts flying. I can picture it already.
With a house full of food, family and gifts, it’s time to settle in for football, hors d’oeuvres and long naps, although we dramatically cut back our football-watching because of the injected politics.
Whatever your traditions are, enjoy them. And have a Merry Christmas!
—Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Email him at [email protected].
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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