Charming New England Christmas Traditions

Merry, Merry, Readers! It’s Christmas! It’s my favorite time of year, and there is Christmas charm by the bucketful here in New England. We shouldn’t stress about the holidays; it’s not what Christmas is really about. Come make a cup of something hot, and enjoy – for me, when it comes to the holidays, it’s all about family, friends, good food and charm! Let me share with you some of the best traditions of the season!

Having four seasons in New England is wonderful. Each season has it’s charm, but Christmastime is extra-special. I REALLY love Christmas. One thing I love about the holidays is having something to look forward to. Activities don’t have to cost a lot; many of the fun things around Connecticut are either low cost, free, or by donation. 

Almost every town or hamlet in Connecticut has a “town green”, and a tree lighting. Our town actually has two.

My daughter and I love going together. We see friends, there are families and people of all ages sharing cheer, and carols are sung. It almost feels like we are “extras” in a special episode of the old “Gilmore Girls” show (also based in Connecticut). 

There are so many wonderful, old churches all over the state. They are all so beautiful. The South Britain Congregational Church hosts a Victorian Tea, open to the public, each holiday. My friend, Linda, and I have been attending each year together for so long, we now know the ladies who work so hard to make it happen by name, and have even gotten to know some of the other attendees!

It is a wonderful, festive luncheon, with good food, good cheer, and a lovely area of handmade gifts for sale, as well. 

Another wonderful tradition, the Annual Gingerbread Village and Christmas Bazaar at St. George’s Episcopal Church, in Middlebury, Connecticut, is something my family and I won’t miss.

We’ve been attending since my daughter was a baby. This year marked the church’s 56th year for the annual tradition! Each time, I think I must have seen it all, and each year, they wow us again! This year was no exception. I am in awe at the detail (everything, except for the actual lighting, is made from edible material).

My mind is blown by all their beautiful, hard work, as I am great at tedious tasks and details of all sorts, but have never been able to make a gingerbread house look so wonderful as these amazing bakers do.

Cranberries are such a big part of New England, and one of my favorite ingredients in so many foods this time of year. I also love homemade gifts. Homemade gifts are made with LOVE! I may not be able to make a good-looking gingerbread house, but I am a whiz in the kitchen. One of my favorite things to make and give, especially this time of year, is homemade jam. This year, I made “Christmas Jam”, and my family has declared it my best jam ever! After going over many recipes, I really found none I liked. They either had too many ingredients, too much sugar, or included butter (we have a family member with a dairy allergy, unfortunately). My version of “Christmas Jam” uses simple ingredients, similar to my other jam recipes, and only four cups of sugar. What’s also nice about canning jam is you can use the water bath method, and do not have to use a pressure canner. The naturally bright, red color of this jam makes it a stunning holiday gift. It’s delectable on fresh bread, or served as an appetizer atop a cracker and a nice cheese like a sharp cheddar or brie. Here is my gift to you, dear readers, my recipe for “Christmas Jam”. Enjoy!

Nicole’s Christmas Jam

• 1 and ½ 12-ounce bags of fresh cranberries
• 1 large container of fresh strawberries, hulled 
• 1 mandarin or “cutie” seedless orange
• 4 cups of organic sugar
• 4 TBSP of low-sugar pectin
• ¼ heaping tsp. each of ground cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and a pinch of nutmeg
• ½ cup water

Wash and pat dry all fruit. Prepare six half-pint jars for canning. 

Zest the mandarin orange. Peel, discarding the peeling. Set aside the fruit. 

In a blender or food processor, coarsely chop the cranberries, and place in a large pot. Puree the strawberries (do not over-puree, I like lumps of strawberry). Add the zest and orange to the pot, and using a potato masher, smash the fruit a bit more and then stir together, along with the zest and spices.

Add the water, and place over low heat, stirring constantly.

In a separate bowl, mix the pectin with ¼ cup of the sugar. Stir into the pot with the fruit, bring to a rolling boil, and then add the rest of the sugar, stirring constantly. 

Boil and stir for one solid minute, skimming any foam as needed.  Remove from heat and let sit for five minutes. Ladle into hot prepared jars, leaving ¼” headspace. Process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, letting jars sit for five minutes before removing and cooling. 

Enjoy!

There are so many wonderful, small, family farms in New England. One of our Christmas traditions in our family involves getting a fresh tree from Jones Family farm in Monroe.

Another tradition is enjoying a delicious ice cream sundae in the cozy, decorated room at Rich Farm, in Oxford, before they close up late in the month for a bit in winter. 

Another thing I love about New England is how everyone decorates. Stores, streets, and homes – inside and out, are all dressed up in twinkling lights and decorations.

My personal favorite decorations are all old, vintage, or vintage-inspired, and I love to incorporate decor that I already have, making it more “Christmas-y”.

We have had two “Christmas Snows” blanket us already, which just add to the festive feel of the season here in New England.

Someone said to me recently, “No one sends Christmas cards anymore!” I beg to disagree. Yes, the price of stamps has gone up. But sending cards at Christmas should not be looked at as a chore!

I love to send cards, and work on mine gradually, while drinking my morning coffee or watching television at night with my family. We’ve already received quite a few, in the mail, and at my doll club meeting, and it is a tradition I love! I cherish handwritten cards I have kept through the years, from special friends and family that are no longer with us. 

This is me at four. My face shows how I felt about Christmas. 

Honestly, it is how I feel about it now, and think I am actually part elf. In all seriousness, though, I think we adults sometimes forget that childlike wonder. Letting ourselves enjoy the magic of the season is what brings the true joy and meaning of the holidays. It’s been a rough year for so many. Personally, this has been an awful year, with the passing of more friends and loved ones than any other before.  My Christmas card list has sadly gotten smaller, and I truly miss those who have departed. I  hold them close in my heart as I embrace the joy of this wonderful season. 

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and have a Wonderful Holiday Season. Holidays are what you make of them. May the next few weeks be full to the top with joy, happiness, love, and wonder! Please drop me a comment so I know you have visited! See you all in January!