As the holiday season approaches, don’t let aging stop you from entertaining in your home. Inviting friends and family over for a drink or a meal is a tradition everyone enjoys, and it’s good for your soul.
Growing up in Chicago, my mom hosted all our family holiday dinners. The fun and tradition of going to her home have stayed with me even decades later.
Eating in her formal dining room with “holiday only” Waterford crystal, blue and white Wedgewood china, and sterling silver flatware was special because we didn’t use these future heirlooms unless it was a special occasion.
I had never heard of a potluck supper until I moved to California. In Chicago, if someone invited you over, maybe you brought a box of Frango Mints from Marshall Field’s, but not an entrée.
My mom and grandmother prepared every course, making it look easy.
Eventually, as years went by, my mom’s back became an issue. My sister and I stepped up to help her and keep our family get-togethers going.
We set the table, made some of the food and bought some more, brought wine, and helped with the cleanup.
The recipes, flavors and aroma of her cooking — along with her Chanel N°5 perfume — still let us know mom was in the house.
Now, in 2024, I am shockingly the matriarch of my own family. When seasonal holidays roll around, I still honor Mom’s memory by replicating her recipes as closely as possible.
Two of my three grown children now have families of their own, and they like to come to my house to celebrate our family holidays.
The days of cooking, preparing and setting the table have started to become time-consuming and exhausting for me, too.
“Just make it easy on yourself” was the advice from one of my friends. This year, I purchased the traditional brisket from a local chef and gladly accepted help from guests who offered to bring dishes.
My daughter, Julia, suggested finding a trusty kitchen helper for cleanup. I also added a new, impromptu toast with my collection of silver wine cups, representing the past, present and future generations of our family.
It was definitely the right decision. I’ve determined to worry less about the food and more about having my noisy, raucous, adorable grandchildren wreck my house and share my mom’s recipes and traditions with them and my children.
I hope that, no matter my age or stage, I’ll still invite people to my home during the holidays, or all year long. My wish is that my children and their children will remember these special occasions and pass them on to their grandchildren and children.
Maybe one day I’ll even be invited to my grandchildren’s homes. I’ll be happy to contribute something to eat and bring some See’s Candies, but they’ll need someone else to help with the dishes.
