I have recently begun to mourn the loss of traditional English and Northern European customs and celebrations. It seems few people seem to celebrate them anymore, and, furthermore, few people encourage it. My ancestors are English, Irish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Swiss, and German, and I intend to research those traditions and celebrations, and honor my heritage by keeping them alive, at least in my family.

So, I’m going to start celebrating! Rencently we had a Michaelmas feast complete with roasted goose. Soon we’ll have a Guy Fawkes party, and perhaps a Catherine’s day celebration. A St. Lucy day celebration is in order as well.

In addition to celebrating lost holidays, I want to incorporate more traditional foods in my meals for certain celebrations.

I’d also LOVE to celebrate existing “Americanized” holidays by adding more traditional elements to them, like wassail at Christmas parties.

I love that we have our own American holidays (Thanksgiving!) and that other cultural celebrations and traditions have become more popular (Day of the Dead, for example), but I think the loss of traditions that many of us share is as sad as the loss of traditions from other cultures. So, let’s celebrate! 4 years ago