All year long, we have one meal after another—some more elaborate than others—whether alone, with family, or with friends… Yet we’re always just as eager for the Christmas dinner that brings us together to celebrate the holidays… In our family, it was a buffet, the highlight of which was my grandmother’s famous pâtés. Today, she’s no longer with us, and only my mother remains—whose culinary talent can recreate the exact flavor of that delicious memory…
In 2018, with all the different dietary preferences, traditions have changed a bit. The star of the meal can no longer be just meat, because my vegetarian child needs to eat well, so we get creative and tweak the menu a bit to satisfy everyone’s tastes.
Back in 1987, we didn’t have four different forks for the various appetizers and main courses, no place cards, no wine pairings, and no stuffy table decorations… There were one or two uncles eating at the edge of the counter, and it was still acceptable to serve small crustless sandwiches and stuffed eggs… The designated Santa Claus could slip a few stuffed rolls under his beard without the kids noticing a thing! We stumbled less often over the flowers on the rug—or the flowered rug itself! Relics of the ’70s, usually found in the same room as the stuffed trout, the embroidered canvas depicting deer, and the wooden table with the built-in lamp and recessed ashtray…
In 2018, we want beauty; we arrange the decorations. The hostess is exhausted before the guests even arrive from preparing the four appetizers, the special shot glasses, the non-alcoholic punch for the kids, the surprises and little gifts for everyone, and a dessert worthy of a contest! It’s as if we’re trying to make up for the traditions lost over time.
Back in 1987, there was no fuss, yet I still have the most wonderful memories of it… The compliments for my grandmother on her divine pâtés, the delicious stuffed rolls—but above all, the people… The jokes from an uncle who’d loosened up after his third beer, the political speech from a staunch grandfather, the gossip from aunts who hadn’t seen each other in ages… The meal is just an excuse!
Just be together, eat whatever you want—fancy or not… Christmas dinner is the best because we enjoy it in good company!