I believe that there has been somewhat of a shift in my family in the last 10 years or so as to where and when people gather to celebrate an occasion. My grandmother on my father's side was the stereotypical leader of holiday coordinating and planning for as long as I can remember. With what seemed like very little effort on her part we would arrive at our grandmother's house to what would be best described as a perfectly cleaned home and enough food to feed a small village. We seemed to have always had a very punctual family. I am not sure if they very punctual in reality or because when you came to my grandmother's house for a holiday, you had better be on time because she wasn't waiting on anyone. .
I never knew how long it took my grandmother to plan, coordinate and pull off a holiday event like she did. I don't remember seeing her send letters or spend hours on the phone with other family members making decisions. I just know that we should up and everything was perfect. There is absolutely some validity to di Leonardo's article describing kin work and the head woman of a family. After my grandmother passed away just a little over five years ago, those duties have changed for my family members and also how we get together since she was unable to do the things that she used to do. I will try and compare and contrast my family as it is today with di Leonardo's stereotypical American home as she described it.
As I stated previously, my grandmother used to facilitate all holiday gatherings regarding my father's side of the family. Prior to her passing, her health declined so much that I would estimate that the last ten years or so holidays were moved to my mother's home. My brother and I are both divorced and we actually both have custody of our children. I have three children and my brother has two of his own. Neither of us, even when we were married, had wives that cared anything about taking the lead when it came to family gatherings.
There are 6 people in my family and we are African Americans. ... I knew my family history "by heart." ... My favorite holiday memory is receiving the puppy I wanted all year. ... I'm very happy that my family has kept the family tradition of the family gathering on Christmas Eve. I always look forward to spending that holiday with my extended family. ...
On Christmas Eve, my gigantic family that includes my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins-in-laws, and cousin nieces/nephews, met at one of my aunt's or uncle's home. ... Every member of my family comes to this gathering if they can get to Calgary. ... To my family, this holiday means it's a time to come together to talk about people. ... It's well known in my family that if you tell someone something, within five minutes every family member will know about it. ... It's very common for my aunts to compete for the chance to hold the gathering at their house. ...
My family culture is based on Irish Christian values. ... Family is very important to us and we spend many holiday gatherings together. These holidays include religious gatherings such as Christmas, Easter, first communions, and Thanksgiving. ... Families often gather together to celebrate holidays, birthdays, baptisms, first communions, graduations, and weddings. ... Family is a very important part of Greek life, which is shown in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. ...
It is still celebrated as a national holiday in Puerto Rico because it became tradition from families to families. ... After everything was been wrapped up, the gifts and storytelling of the kings, the parents get ready to go to a family members house for family gathering or they the ones having their family gather at theirs. ... During the family gathering music is a big part of the holiday. ... It is too a major hit for festival goers or at family gatherings. ... For me it is one of the most important holidays on the Puerto Rican calendar because it brings family closer and together. ...
Christmas was the doorway to happiness, family togetherness, and special memories. ... Then there were those many people like me, who just couldn't wait to feel the presence of the family, together at a meal. ... When dinner was over, gathering around the Christmas tree and singing all the traditional Christmas carols, while aunt Sheila played a tune on the grand piano. ... I also recall the memory of my early childhood. ... However, whenever this holiday enters my thoughts, it always makes me think of the finer things in life, like being with the people I love ...
The family meal is an important time for gathering the family together for discussions. As opposed to the American family, who have the family dinner in the evening, the Mexican family has their main meal in the mid-afternoon. ... Therefore, the best way to describe this Mexican holiday is to say that it is a time when Mexican families remember their dead, and the continuity of life. ... The two important things to know about the Mexican Day of the Dead are that; it is a holiday with a complex history, and therefore its observance varies quite a bit by region and by degree of urbanization; ...
My favorite place is my grandparent's home, because it is a place of comfort, security, and yet also a place to let loose and have fun. ... My grandparent's home is a place of many family gatherings. From holidays to our routine Sunday dinners, their home is always packed full of people, laughter, and cheer. ... Growing up I spent many of my summer days here with my grandparents. ... Between the upbeat lifestyle of a working teenager and the hectic, long days of our growing family businesses, these days are truly missed. ...
"It was a normal day for my family. ... I'm not use to the huge family gathering and presents being opened all at once. My family, during Hanukkah, says a prayer and lights a candle every night. ... " My friend's family had a separate kitchen called the Kosher kitchen, meaning no meat. ... "My upbringing was very good. ...
Throughout the years a unique holiday for Americans was created. ... In my family my grandmother cooks everything herself and everyone goes to her house for the big feast. ... My great grandmother, the oldest member of the family sat in the middle of a couch with two friends of the family on either side of her. While these people were sitting, all the younger family members- my cousins and myself, walked around the house socializing. ... In my family everyone drinks, which creates other oppositions. ...