Whatever Happened to Christmas?

Remember when no one started Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving?

Wisconsin author LeAnn R. Ralph remembers it very well.

"When I was growing up on our dairy farm forty years ago, the stores didn't put up Christmas displays until the day after Thanksgiving. No one was really thinking about Christmas shopping before that," Ralph said. "In fact, my mother felt so strongly about it that she didn't even like to hear the word 'Christmas' until after we had finished eating Thanksgiving dinner."

Ralph's new book, Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm), celebrates Christmas during that simpler time.

"Back then, happiness was baking cookies, decorating the Christmas tree, and eating lefse that my mother had made," Ralph said.

Lefse (pronounced lef'suh) is a flat potato pastry brought to this country by Norwegian immigrants who settled in Wisconsin. Ralph's mother was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants, and their 120-acre family farm was homesteaded by Ralph's great-grandfather.

"When I was a kid, people enjoyed simple pleasures. The Sunday school Christmas program was an event at the little country church just down the road from our farm that was attended by nearly everyone in the neighborhood," Ralph noted.

"At the time, if someone had told me the Christmas season was going to change so drastically that you would eventually get Christmas catalogs in the mail in August and September - and that you would find Christmas decorations on sale in August and September, too - I wouldn't have believed it," she said.

"I also would have never thought that dairy farming would change so much. I always took it for granted that we lived in 'America's Dairyland,' but today, most of the small family dairy farms have disappeared," Ralph noted.

According to statistics from the United States Census of Agriculture , Wisconsin has lost two-thirds of its dairy farms since 1969. Forty years ago, Wisconsin had 60,000 dairy farms. Today, only about 20,000 dairy farms remain.

Nation-wide statistics from the United States Census of Agriculture show the same trend. In 1969, more than a half a million dairy farms operated in the United States. Today, only about 80,000 dairy farms remain.

"As far as I was concerned, one of the best parts of Christmas was going out with my dad to cut a Christmas tree. We had small stands of pine trees planted around the farm to stop soil erosion. We would walk around until we found a nice tree, and then we would cut it and bring it home," Ralph recalled.

Ralph's book, Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) (August 2003; ISBN1-59113-366-1 ; trade paperback; 153 pages), features 20 stories set on her family's farm during the Christmas season. Story titles include "The Lefse Connection," "Milkweed Pods and Poinsettias," "Wintergreen," "White Christmas," "Jeg Er Sa Glad Hver Julekveld," "The Most Perfect Toboggan," "A Candle for Christmas," and "A New Year Unlike Any Other." The book also includes recipes for lefse, fattigman (a Norwegian cookie, pronounced 'futty-mun'), julekake, and Christmas cookies, as well as instructions for making candles out of old crayons, as featured in the story "A Candle for Christmas."

"Several years ago a story of mine about my dad making ice cream was published in an e-mail newsletter. The title of the story was 'Dad's Favorite Recipe,' and for several weeks after that I received e-mails asking for the recipe. That's why I decided to include recipes in the book for some of the foods mentioned in my stories," Ralph explained.

About The Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the editor of the Wisconsin Regional Writer (the quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Regional Writers' Assoc.) and is the author of the book, Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm) (Aug. 2003); trade paperback. For more information about Christmas In Dairyland, visit http://ruralroute2.com

bigpines@ruralroute2.com

---

10 Tips to a Stress Free Holiday

"The stress-free way to enjoy the holidays is to plan,... Read More

Make a Golden Christmas Tree

Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I... Read More

The Origin of the Christmas Tree

Have you ever wondered why we decorate a tree for... Read More

Birthday Flowers

Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all... Read More

Thanksgiving Memories

Turkey ... Stuffing ... Cranberry Sauce ... Pumpkin PieThis is... Read More

How Parents Can Win the Battle To Keep Your Child Safe From Strangers This Holiday Season

When we think of Holiday shopping, we think of all... Read More

The Fathers Day Celebration

Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult... Read More

Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids

After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under... Read More

Youre How Old?!?

"Well, Happy Birthday! How old are you anyway?""Oh, I'm just... Read More

Celebrate Parks Day, Everyday this Summer!

Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First... Read More

Halloween Costumes...for Pets!

One of the best things about Halloween, is wearing a... Read More

Animatronic Halloween Props - Cardboard Carpentry

One of the most inexpensive ways to create stonewalls in... Read More

Find New And Exciting Halloween Masks For Your Next Costume Party!

For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More

Experience Mothers Day In A Whole New Way

Mother's Day is the day when sons, daughters and husbands... Read More

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is an exciting night for children and a busy... Read More

The Perfect Birthday Present for that Little Girl (No Batteries Required)

The DilemmaAs a mom of a five-year-old girl, I have... Read More

The Truth about Mistletoe

You can call it the emasculator of the old king,... Read More

10 Tips for More Meaningful Holidays

No matter how many lists you make, cards you send,... Read More

Reduce Waste This Christmas

- Christmas is responsible for more waste and consumption than... Read More

How to Make Your Own Printable Invitations for Any Occasion

Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed... Read More

Tips For Singles on Surviving (And Enjoying) The Holidays

Here you are, facing the holiday season alone. Have you... Read More

2 Quick and Easy Halloween Crafts

Making Halloween crafts can really get you into a festive... Read More

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees

Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More

10 Holiday Sober Savers 2004

1.) BEGIN NOW !!!Don't save your shopping, decorating, cooking, wrapping,... Read More

Online Shopping: Tips For Holidays Gift Shopping

It is holidays time, and you've the money and you... Read More

New Years Resolutions

Ah, the start of another year! In a groggy haze... Read More

Holiday Spending: How to Keep Your Personal Information Safe

Holiday spending can be a wonderful time. We shop for... Read More

Some Valuable Steps On Applying Clown Makeup! Seriously, Were Not Clowning Around Here

Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume... Read More

Mother?s Day Crafts

Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for... Read More

Tis The Season

I was listening to one of my favorite radio talk... Read More

Father?s Day Gift Idea: Do-It-Yourself Backyard Pond Kit

This Father's Day, sit back and enjoy a nice cold... Read More

Valentines Day - A Guide for Men

Did you know that after Christmas, Valentine's Day is the... Read More

Fitness Tips On How To Avoid Gaining Weight During The Holiday Season

This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal... Read More