Here I sit, listening to Micheal Buble’s Christmas “Deluxe” album, whatever that means, but I’m definitely in a deluxe kinda mood. Being my Friday, after a long week where I pushed myself to the limits of this 53-year-old body…I am tapping my foot to the beat and singing along. What a crooner he is. He would make his predecessors very proud. As the trumpets belt the cheery tunes, I bring myself back to the Andy Williams Christmas show at the Circus Maximus. Caesars Palace…the place to be in the ’70s, in the infamous Glitter Gultch. Outfitted in my little white rabbit coat, white gloves, and my perfectly shiny black patent Mary Janes, I so look the part. That curved booth, right in front, where Mr. Mandy Campo’s family was honored to sit as the likes of Tom Jones, Elvis, Sammy Davis Jr, The Jacksons, The Osmond’s and even good ole’ blue eyes performed night after night. The trumpets were always my favorite and even at the age of four and a half, I remember vividly climbing those marble stairs up to the top to then climb them down into the curved showroom where the maître d’ would give us the Vanna White wave into our booth with palm extended to be graced with his tip. We looked onto the purple velvet drapes, with thick trim, waiting for them to be pulled up to entertain and delight us all.

The memories…my feeling of Christmas nostalgia have been in full force this week as all sorts of memories have been floating in my head like sugarplum fairies dancing around bringing me the magic of Christmas. I recall the many Christmas trees my mother would put up throughout the house. The one in the “blue room” all covered in silver and blues with flocked ornaments and Christmas balls made by hand. The traditional Christmas tree in the family room with all our childlike ornaments made at school. With Elmer’s glue and glitter used as confetti for all to see and to pick off their faces and clothes until March. The smell of natural pine and the crackle of our wood burning fireplace that now, is only a distant thought as most fireplaces nowadays have a switch to turn them on.  There was that one special Christmas where my mom decided to have us make an “edible tree”… we made garlands out of sugary Fruit Loops and decorated with popcorn ball ornaments, hung candy canes on the boughs and reveled in our masterpiece. It will be a moment in my childhood I will never forget. Then there was my father, not the most outwardly religious man but had his own special relationship with God. He loved going to Guardian Angel Shrine on the strip, even though St. Viator’s was down the street, he and my mother loved the stained glass. Midnight Christmas Eve mass was his favorite and this was another outing I was allowed to wear my pristine white gloves too. The hymns were sung by all in attendance, be it ‘Oh Christmas Tree’, or my favorite ‘Ave Maria’, having the songbook in my small little hands and the kneeling… up & down, up & down, it is a memory I will never forget. When the peace was given and I heard all the adults saying “peace be with you” I knew I was in a safe place. Stoic but safe. Hearing the priest in all his adorned robes, recite passages in Latin always made me want to learn Italian, as back then, I thought they were the same thing. We would have already enjoyed a full night of laughter and gaiety at my Uncle Eddie’s as the roast pork with an apple in his mouth was how the night commenced.

With my Aunt Georgina cooking up a Cuban storm making Congri or Plátanos Maduros to pare with our juicy pork, it makes me want to lick my fingers in this very moment. The introduction of the pig was like a sacred moment unto itself. Five grown men would carry it in on a large board decorated with lettuces, it’s crunchy skin glistening as it was brought into the room while all cheered, knowing it was time to eat. Laughter and Cuban machismo, talking over each other, telling jokes as us kids would be running in and out playing outside or tickling the ivories on my uncles piano… we always had an amazing time. With all my dad’s Caesars Palace friends, that wouldn’t miss our parties for anything in the world,  so much laughter with all my cousins, Ivette, Lisi, Mele, Gladys, Pachi, Raul so many running around, the hierarchy… many aunts, hysterical Uncle Pupi, and all his many kids…boisterous Eddie Milan, always wanting the main stage , my one and only dancing sister Tabby, tall dark and handsome older brother Ian, and little brother Armand, following me around as the youngest in the group, wanting to join in on the Christmas fun. Some of them here and some of them gone… but ALL still with me every Christmas!! The classic Cuban celebration, loud & joyous; a cultural event… hard to understand if you don’t experience it yourself!!

I always looked forward to ‘Frosty‘, ‘The Grinch’, and ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’, my favorites on tv, they always made me appreciate all the Christmas feels. To this day nothing makes it feel like Christmas more to me. I play the Peanuts soundtrack all Christmas long no matter what. Charles Schultz made snoopy come to life each Christmas for me as I used to pretend our poodles had his special Snoopy powers. Remember tinsel? As tacky and garish as it is now, I can’t pass by a box without wishing I could bring myself to buy some, use it and be proud. I remember Christmas mornings like it was yesterday. With my Christmas nightgowns and swollen eyes after a long nights sleep all tucked into my bed waiting for Santa…what a sight it was next morning with all the presents under the tree. Those moments paved the way for the Christmas’s to come with my four children loving the season as much as me. As my ex and I would stand outside swearing to baby David that we could see Rudolph’s nose or making hoof prints out of soot to nibbling a Christmas cookie as Santa, to changing my handwriting on present tags…we started our own traditions that have paved the way to my four loving Christmas as much as their parents. Dave was always on board to buy the biggest tree in the lot, to add just another string of lights or to stay up with me till 5am to wrap the last gifts or put together that bike that each had asked for on their ever-growing Christmas lists. ‘A Christmas Story’ playing for 24 hours straight, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day always on in the background. The first time we all would want to watch ‘Home Alone’ , be it the Mc Allister’s, Mr. Heat Mizer or Tiny Tim there was a special show to watch every night in December. So, so many stupendous memories to cherish and with time not standing still so many new memories to make. Now with baby William and with new babies not even named yet, Christmas will always be a very special time of year for me & my family. This year we celebrate Christmas Eve with a do it yourself, warm, toasty chili bar with cornbread & all the fixings and hopefully make new memories for William to recall one day and share with all his cousins.

Thank you Oh’ Christmas Spirit…May all my Christmas’s be merry and bright. And may I always believe in all it has to offer. Merry Christmas and to all a good night.