A Christmas Tradition Sparkles
Christmas traditions were instilled in us from an early age. Cultural practices passed down through the ages much like a precious gem or valued work of art were part of our holiday routine. Every year those traditions brought forth precious memories of people and times past. German, Irish, Norwegian, we got a healthy dose of those cultures because our parents cherished their heritage. My dad’s relatives lived in Washington state and called on Christmas eve to wish all of us well. Sometimes we got to use the rotary phone and dialed them up to chat. They were miles and miles away, but they spewed love for Sam and Kathie’s kids and sent packages full of lutefisk, lefsa, krumkake and Scandinavian Rosette cookies. Oh, those rosettes! Just thinking about them puts a smile on my face and ten pounds on my thighs!!!!!!
Perhaps your family gathers on Christmas eve to celebrate your heritage with a family meal and gift exchange. Maybe you light a fire, call relatives, decorate the tree, and listen to Christmas music on the hi-fi (better known as wi-fi these days). The people you love gather together physically or virtually and goodwill abounds!
My maternal grandmother and grandfather lived on the southside of Manitowoc, about a half block south of the Tinsel Factory. It was a little house that they moved into when their marriage was young. Five children were raised there. Marriages, grandchildren and plenty of family gatherings happened there over the 5 decades they shared.
On Christmas Eve we’d head to their place late to open gifts and head to midnight mass at St. Boniface. I don’t remember a bunch of lights outside or plastic Santa figures illuminating the premises, but I do remember the warm spirit of her Irish heritage and the glorious little tree that just didn’t fit the aesthetic of her age or her home!
It stood on a little table in the middle of traditional furnishings. Demure in size, only 4 feet tall. To me, it was a glorious beacon of light sparkling in the night. Grandma proudly placed it on her little vintage table in front of the picture window next to grandpa’s recliner, proudly displaying her modern holiday spirit to everyone driving by! Grandma decorated it with shiny Christmas balls that captured the glittery branches and created a disco ball effect even before disco existed! Ella Mulloy was hip, happenin’ and embracing the space age!
You too can embrace all things atomic from Manitowoc’s “Aluminum Age” when you visit downtown Manitowoc this holiday season! Shop windows will sparkle and our very own Public Library will GLEAM with the energy of the Evergleam tree’s glimmering shine! Why not start a new holiday tradition that includes the marvelous history of a place we call home? Share the magic of creative ideas that come to life in the shape of a new age tree that collectors scramble to acquire! Bring your family to the center of town and travel back to a time when Manitowoc’s Aluminum Specialty encouraged new ideas and fun marketing for America’s middle class.
You can even have a seat in our vintage living room scene at the Manitowoc Public Library where you can pose for a family photo! Make it an annual photo op with those you love! A new tradition that will one day, bring forth precious memories of people and times past that will warm your heart.
