Around this time of year, you see various articles about “How did Christmas traditions begin?” I wondered, “How did some Christmas traditions end??” There are some traditions, no doubt family customs, which seem to be phasing out.

I recall our “wall of Christmas cards”. These days there are less. More of our friends say, “We don’t do Christmas cards.” Postage has increased, and there is less “snail mail” these days.

Another lost tradition: pudding and custard with 5-cent coins hidden in the bowl. I looked forward to how many there might be; was there going to be more than one this year? No doubt some youngsters choked on a coin in the past.

Speaking of coins, Tom collects his loose change in an old container which originally held handkerchiefs as a gift. Over 35 years, it’s been holding coins in preparation for Christmas, when it would be wrapped and given to the children, who counted it out and shared it amongst themselves as a bit of spending money. This turned into grandchildren as well, and a second container. But in recent years, particularly with COVID, we are just using less cash. Many days we don’t handle coins at all. Not even one container has filled over the past two years. And I wonder, should it fill with 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins as in the past, would the resulting few dollars shared amongst the children and grandchildren be an amount worth spending?!

As a child, in the lead up to Christmas there were Sunday School Christmas services, at the conclusion of which we were each presented with a book and a small hand-made cardboard basket with a bag of sweets. I recall family customs such as an individual’s presents would all be placed on a living/dining room chair. We were permitted only one present to be opened prior to going to church on Christmas morning.

Tom recalls his previous in-laws (now “out-laws”?) pouring brandy onto raisins, setting them aflame to be bravely picked up and eaten. What happened to that “snap-dragon” tradition?

Some traditions naturally ended as we became adults, but some are just going as changes happen in society. We could sound like an older generation pining for “the good old days.” But really, the “good old days” continue, as new traditions start as the generations change.

Cards have turned into email letters and social media conversations and photos – which I really like, more of a conversation, and in more “real time”.

My new tradition is to glaze a ham on Christmas Eve, in preparation for Christmas Day lunch. Happy to do that! Yum!

I like Tammy’s tradition, when she is hosting Christmas lunch, of assigning one person to hand out all the presents brought along by the extended family. This year, primary-school-aged Ivy, assisted by Alfie, practised their developing reading skills as they deciphered the gift tags. Beautiful!

Desserts – no more 5-cent coins in the pudding and custard, but a wide array of choice, catering for preferences and dietary requirements. Kerry is allocated puddings and their accoutrements for dessert. Bringing various custards and creams, she selects a flavour from the specialities available. A previous salted caramel? Not my favourite. This year’s “Espresso Martini” flavoured cream? Yes, please, I think I’ll have seconds!

When the generation of children and grandchildren reminisce in the future, I’m sure they will recall “traditions” that are only now being formed. Playing with cousins. Driving to see the Christmas lights displays in the suburbs. Christmas Day with family, but also Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and other times spent with family who can’t be there on Christmas Day, and extended family. The good old days continue.