Human beings, by nature, are creatures of habit, and it’s more evident around the holidays.

Monday, December 11, 2000

Human beings, by nature, are creatures of habit, and it’s more evident around the holidays.

Each family has their own routine, and like robots, the same rituals are performed year after year.

I love it. The predictability is comforting. And what’s a family without traditions?

Last Wednesday, several Herald staffers shared their family’s favorite holiday recipes. I offered my very unscientific quiche recipe (I never measure stuff out for that recipe. I wing it.)

I don’t recall when it started, but it’s now a Schelinder tradition – a champagne Christmas brunch. I gather up all the leftover ham and veggies from the vegetable tray served the night before and throw it all in a pie crust. I must say, it’s darn tasty. It’s the one time that I get to cook for my whole family.

Of course, modifications have been made over the years. I usually make a second meat-free quiche for my vegetarian sister and myself, as I am not a fan of most meats.

But always, after opening presents, the fam enjoys a brunch while sitting in the living room in our PJs, surrounded by crumpled wrapping paper, ribbons and the most important people in the world.

My mom also started the tradition of giving the family a board game, which we usually play for hours on Christmas Day. The family won’t let Sharla and I be on the same team anymore when it comes to games where you give your teammates clues. The power of "twin-dar" is too much for those sore losers, I guess.

Even creatures of habit have to modify their course once and a while. My oldest sister will not be joining us, and I will basically just have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my family. No need for vegetarian quiche and no after-Christmas bargain shopping with my mom and twin sister.

But, you know, that’s OK. I’m still a very fortunate person.

This season ought to remind folks how lucky they really are. I know I am. In a couple weeks, I’ll be toasting over champagne and quiche, surrounded by the most important people in the world.

Shawnda Schelinder is the associate editor. She can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at shawnda.schelinder@austindailyherald.

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