For Debbie Cerra Cresap, it’s the Feast of the Seven Fishes — a tradition that comes from the Italian “boot,” from where her family descended. An Italian-American version of La Vigilia (a meal connected to the Roman Catholic observance of the Nativity) — the feast is a family tie that goes back to Cerra Cresap’s immigrant grandparents.
For Betsy Delk, it’s snowman cookies and tree cookies and stars, hats, mittens, candy canes, gingerbread men and reindeer. She bakes and stockpiles, then spends days decorating until the entire dining room table is filled with trays and trays of cookies — around 30-40 dozen all told.
For Weelunk writer Kelly Strautmann, the Christmas season doesn’t officially begin until she and her family pick out a Christmas tree at E. Black and Son Nursery in Sherrard, West Virginia.
Perhaps a new family tradition in years to come will be waiting for Santa to arrive at Market Plaza and light up the Christmas tree with a sprinkle of magic during the Winter on the Plaza event, newly minted this year. Check out the video of this year’s inaugural event.
What’s your holiday tradition? Is it attending a production of “The Nutcracker” or a drive through Oglebay’s Festival of Lights?
Please share it with Weelunk below!