Traditions holiday

Thank you Northlanders, for sharing your holiday traditions!

Santa Tradition

My family loved Christmas and celebrated with many great Scandinavian and American traditions. We especially were drawn to Santa Claus stories. We used to go to the department store, Glassblock, in downtown Duluth and have our Christmas postcard picture taken with my brother, David, my sister, Kathy, and myself sitting on the full-sized stuffed reindeer with Santa standing next to us.

My mom watched us giggle, laugh, and smile with delight. We loved it so…One day my cousin, Janie, seven years old, and I as a five-year-old were playing upstairs in my sister’s and my bedroom when we decided Mom and Dad’s bedroom would definitely be more interesting because they had a walk-in closet. It was the most stunning surprise! There it was! It was real! We could touch it! We did! It was Santa’s suit hanging on the back of the closet door by a hook. It was deep red with white fur coming down the front. The sleeves had furry white cuffs at the end of them. His wide black belt was hanging on the doorknob with his black boots neatly placed off to the side on the floor. We giggled and whispered and laughed. We were thrilled to think Santa lived in my house, yes, my house! He must be my dad!

Christmas ornaments

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I love to give gifts, and I have to admit, I love to receive gifts. Christmas becomes magical when you have kids. The joy on their faces when you decorate the house and the tree goes up. Touring the city to look at the many beautifully decorated homes always brought a smile to their faces. Leaving a snack for Santa was so much fun. I loved to see the reactions in the morning when the snack was eaten.

We have always bought our kids Christmas ornaments each year. I love picking out a Hallmark ornament to show

We ran down the stairs, giggling and screaming as little girls do. My mom put an instant stop on that. “What were you girls doing in my closet?” She could tell by the look on our faces. Santa lived here, 526 Fifth Street, Proctor, Minnesota! She made us immediately sit down on the couch and face her. She kept pointing and shaking her finger at us. We listened intently to her speech. “I made that suit for your dad. He is going to visit relatives and neighbors and bring presents with popcorn balls. Your sister still believes in Santa, don’t you tell her EVER or you will really be in trouble with a capital T! TROUBLE!”

She really scared us. We never told. At my dad’s funeral from the lectern in the eulogy, I finally told my sister who Santa Claus really was in our household. That was a long 42-year-old secret my cousin and I kept. What a great family tradition! We miss you, Dad, but love all our Santa memories. As he would say, “Uffdah, Merry Christmas.” As to my sister, she still believes in Santa.

By Kris Brenna Lyons Moose Lake, MN

what the kids are into that year. Whether it is sports, or action figures, Barbies, or activities they participate in, it still makes my heart happy to see their reactions. Did I mention, my kids are 31 and 28? We still buy them ornaments, and have added their significant others to the list. It's good to know they still enjoy the ornaments. I know this because I just asked them if they still wanted me to continue the tradition. I got an astounding YES. Merry Christmas to you all!

By Kathy Berndt Duluth, MN

Celebrating with cheesecake

A fun and festive dessert for your holiday table is cheesecake, which can come in a variety of holiday flavors. For a locally made cheesecake, try the spiced pumpkin or caramel apple from The Cozy Hen.

“They are all small-batch and the salted caramel sauce, fudge, and fruit toppings and fillings are all made from scratch,” owner Heather Birong explained.

This holiday treat is perfect for those looking for a flavorful and balanced dessert.

“Our cheesecakes stand out because they aren’t too sweet or overly rich, but yet have the feel of really being a treat,” Birong said.

When ordering close to the holidays, a week’s notice will suffice. To order and for more information, follow The Cozy Hen on Instagram or Facebook.

Make your holiday table festive with one or more of these delicious homemade, local desserts. Your dining room table will look cheery, and the baked goods will fill the room with a sweet aroma. Mix it up by having a traditional dessert and adding something new, allowing your guests to choose from the options. Whichever you decide, make sure to enjoy the treats yourself! D

Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.

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