Traditions at Christmas

I find it really interesting that people have such different traditions at Christmas. Even down to the food that we eat, things can vary quite a bit. Some people like a roast turkey dinner but others prefer a more exotic bird and some do something completely different just to be different. The same goes for the cakes that we eat, some people prefer a chocolate Yule log but I like to have some fruitcakes, a traditional Christmas cake with icing etc and a plained cake for those people who do not want something that is quite as sweet - maybe just topped with some almonds and cherries. In some ways it seems a bit silly that we are so fussy over something as simple as fruit cakes but it seems to be all these little family traditions which make the occasion for us. I think it is because certain things bring back childhood memories for us and there are no better Christmases than the ones when we are children. There is something about the whole magic of it and the expectation which makes it so much better. I guess the fact that they do not have to worry about the cost, preparation, shopping, entertaining and cooking helps to make it a much more pleasurable experience for them. Although,I have found that as I have got older, the cooking and entertaining is as much part of the tradition of Christmas for me as the magic and excitement was as a child. There are still things that I eat and drink at that time of year that set off that excited tingling sensation in my tummy like when I used to look out of the window on Christmas Eve to see whether Father Christmas was flying through the sky waiting for me to fall asleep so that he coudl deliver my presents.