My mom called me a few days ago with a brilliant plan. “We’ve all decided that we don’t want a traditional Christmas this year so what do you think about having a Cajun Christmas instead?” Of course my reply was, “I’m making the beignets!” It made me think back to several years ago when I had no money to decorate for Christmas so I decked the halls (and the tree) out with all sizes and colors of Mardi Gras beads.

I’m excited that this year instead of Thanksgiving: Part 2 (turkey, dressing, ect) we will be stuffing ourselves with crawfish etoufee, red beans & rice, jambalaya and pralines. I should probably go ahead and order some hurricane mix while I’m at it. To keep in style with the theme, I’m going to insist that we also be build a large bonfire* on Christmas Eve. Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a bunch of drunken southerners creating our own pyrotechnics.

*One French Louisiana twist to the holiday festivities that isn’t found anywhere else is the tradition of the Bonfires dating back to the 1800s. Hundreds of Christmas bonfires light the banks of the Mississippi River to guide Papa Nöel’s (the Cajun version of Santa Claus) pirogue (a shallow, wooden canoe) to deliver gifts to all good little Cajun children.

none