Written by
If there’s one thing my family is a big fan of, it’s tradition. BIG fans. Traditions usually stem from nothing at all – if we do it once and like it, it’s now deemed tradition, to be done each year following in exactly the same fashion until the end of our days. Some of our traditions are admittedly ridiculous, but one of my very favorites is very serious, and very competitive: Christmas Eve bowling. That’s right – each year we head down to the Daffodil Bowl (classy!) to laugh, make meaningless bets we won’t pay on, and spread general Christmas cheer. This tradition started more than twenty years ago when my parents had two very young and very excited little girls on their hands. We were driving them nuts. Something had to be done – but what could possibly be open on Christmas Eve? That’s right – the Daffodil Bowl. Down to the alley we went, and the rest is history. I bowled my age on that first trip, and pouted from here to kingdom come. (Rightfully so. I was four.) Since then the event has expanded from a family of four to multiple families, five lanes, trophies, and new this year, and ugly sweater contest. I realize it may not be the most pious of traditions, as there is a fair amount of beer drinking and quiet swearing that takes place. However, it’s an event I look forward to every year, because nothing kicks off the holiday quite like it. So this year, keep in mind that there’s still time to start your own bowling tradition. While you’re singing carols around the piano, we’ll be down at the alley, raising our beer glasses at ten in the morning, toasting to strikes, spares, and a very merry Christmas.