Christmas Eve at Nana's house is a special tradition.  This is a time Nana (Carmel Lucarell) could gather all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and continue some of the family's most cherished traditions.  Although Nana is no longer with us, we continue to celebrate Christmas Eve together.

On Christmas Eve, Nana's five sons, Dominic, Sam, Dan, Anthony, and Gilbert, and their families gather for good food and fun times at Nana's house.  Members of the extended family are always welcome.  We look forward to seeing Joanne, and in years past, we might get a visit from next door neighbor Eve and the kids.  Unfortunately, not everyone can be with us each year.  But we always look forward to the phone calls from Maine or Tennessee or wherever members of the family may be.

One of the most important aspects of the celebration is the menu (of course!).  Uncle Sam starts to get things ready the night before.  We arrive early to prepare.  Vince will fire up the fryers.  Nicole is in charge of the cookies.  Maria makes the soup.  And everyone pitches in until the table is set and the meal is ready.  There's still an "adults" table and a "kids" table.  I haven't graduated to the adults table yet...maybe someday.  Before the meal, Uncle Dom will usually say a prayer and make a toast.

We serve the traditional "Seven Fishes" meal.  Serving fish observes the past obligation of not eating meat on Christmas Eve.  Seven different kinds is a representation of the seven sacraments.  The meal usually starts with finuchi, shrimp cocktail, and dried peppers as appetizers.  There's usually black olives too, and some of us can't resist the urge to put them on our fingers before eating!  A course of baccala, cod fish soup, is served.  Then the main course includes haddock, shrimp, calamari, smelts, spaghetti with clam sauce, and spaghetti with alicee.  Salad is passed around until it's finally finished.

After dinner, we debate who's going to do the dishes.  After all, if you've helped cook, you shouldn't have to do dishes, too.  Right?  Gilbert usually gets them started and makes quick work of K.P.  The kids run upstairs to play.  We then settle in for some coffee and Christmas cookies.  Everyone shares the many different cookies, pies, and fruit cakes they've made.  Yes, Uncle Anthony, we made buckeyes for you!

When there are good little kids around, Santa will make a visit.  We go upstairs to sit around the tree, open presents, and possibly break into a round or two of Christmas Carols, even though none of us can carry much of a tune!

Afterward, the table is set once more, to remain untouched overnight, as a remembrance of those who are no longer with us.

We then head home.  Mom wants the luminary put out, even though it's 20^o out.  Vince is in charge, with his faithful assistant Nicole running behind.  We all go to midnight mass.  When we get home, we put the gifts under the tree and have a quick snack, after all it's been hours since we last ate!  We then go to bed, looking forward to a wonderful Christmas together!