Christmas Traditions: Part II

All home for Christmas dinner

While there’s plenty of memories made in the lead up to Christmas Day and the surprise of what’s found in presents under the tree, it all culminates when the family gets together. Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers said he remembers starting Christmas Day with gift opening, but moving quickly to the other elements and the family gathered to eat was always the highlight.

“We’d always open presents first thing in the morning, then transition to bacon, eggs and sausage,” he said. “Then we’d spend the entire day at my grandmother’s place.”

Like many large families, Aalbers said Christmas afternoon would always become the family’s most significant gathering of grandchildren, cousins, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles. Back then, it was rare to have anyone not present for the festivities.

“People drove from wherever they were, because we all lived close together,” Aalbers said

Between church services and mass, as well as the family reunions that often take place, Aalbers said the season is that one time as Canadians that we truly have that opportunity to gather, compared to the rest of the calendar. It also bleeds into a season of resolutions and the sense of being able to start over.

“It’s the end of the year, the birth of Jesus, I think it all goes together,” Aalbers said. “It’s clean, fresh and a new beginning.”

(Dallan Oberg)

Lighting up Christmas

Someone who does his share of trying to make the holiday special in the Battlefords is Dallan Oberg. He said having time together when both parents were home made the tradition particularly important.

“My mom always made Christmas very, very special for my siblings and I,” he said.

Every year, their biggest tradition would be to go tour Christmas lights in Lethbridge, Alberta. This family pastime led to Oberg’s continued enthusiasm for Christmas decorations, which were boosted when he purchased decorations from a lady in Lethbridge whose husband had passed away. The couple had always made a large display during this time of the year.

“My mom called and said ‘you’ve got your acreage, how about you start this?’” Oberg said. “I agreed, bought some of those decorations and have added to it over the years.”

On his property, Oberg has 200 feet of linear lights, with structures as high as 18 feet. Because the number of families that put up large displays has died down, he really enjoys seeing the smiles of kids faces when they see his.

“For them to drive by and see the display, there’s nothing better,” he said.

Another reason why the pastime is so nostalgic for Oberg is that having a large family led to moments not unlike the premise of Home Alone.

“We have left one of my brothers, multiple times at different places, and it’s become a family joke,” he laughed. “So Christmas lights are also a magic memory, because it reminds us of those few times we left someone at home!”

The CJNB Twinkle Tour, which will be virtual this year, is one of the local highlights for the community during the holidays. Oberg said he’s happy to see people still enjoy the experience of driving around the community to look at lights. And it keeps to what he believes is the most important part of the season, hope and joy found in families.

“Kids get the hope of Santa; surprise in the morning,” Oberg said.” Parents get to see the joy in their kids faces. And it’s that one time of the year when everyone comes to celebrate.”

And because people are looking for a way to celebrate while away from family due to the pandemic, Oberg said it’s important to try and still have that season, that magic, by connecting with others, even from afar.

“Take the time to call them, FaceTime them, whatever,” he said. It’s a special time to be a family and think of family.”

(Dallan Oberg)

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josh.ryan.jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports

by Josh Ryan

Christmas Traditions: Part II

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