What is your favorite ritual? I like decorating the Christmas tree. As a teen and young

[applegrove]

adult I'd go to the department store and buy new bulbs and lights. One time my dad would walk in the room and the tree was filled with blue and green lights and silver/blue/green bulbs. He promptly told me to 'add some red to that'. We still have a few bulbs left that were from my great grandparents' house....90 years old. Now the tree is smaller, artificial, and much less of a presence. But it is still all up to me and I love it.

[murielm99]

1. I love decorating the house for Christmas, too.

Not just the tree, but the whole house. Each decoration has a story.

Baking the Christmas cookies is an important ritual, too. It was more fun when all the kids were small, but my husband and I still enjoy it.

We don't eat all those cookies. The best part is giving them away.

[applegrove]

2. I too used to bake shorbread cookies in christmass shapes when I was a kid. Then we'd eat them all.

[bluesbassman]

3. Used to enjoy putting on goat leggings,

and sacrifice persimmons to Thalia. 'Course I was quite a bit younger then. I don't think they make goat leggings in my size now. :P

[applegrove]

4. LOL!

[AsahinaKimi]

5. Mine is.."itadakimasu!"

Before I eat, I clap my hands together (not too loudly) and say
Ita~daki~masu! (eeetah dah Keee Maah sue)

Its traditional in Japan. Its not a prayer. Its like thanking whoever, or whatever, for where your food had come from! Its sort of like saying "Thank you for allowing me to have this food!"

[applegrove]

6. Who wouldn't thankgive when there is Japanese food on the table. Yum.

A girlfriend of my brother and her friend visited us in Canada once. They cooked me a wonderful Japanese meal. very good.