12/04/03’s illustrious band:

Reindeer Food

Brought to you by holiday traditions old and new.

At least half the comfort and joy of the holiday season comes from doing the same things we did last year, the same things we’ve always done. Ritual provides reassuring continuity, a sense of order and predictability. Some traditions are somber and reflective, like church services, while others, like our family tradition of having pizza for dinner on Christmas Eve, are just plain fun.

Since today is Thursday, which is Soup Group Day -- the day several coworkers from Media Headquarters go out for lunch together -- I thought I’d pass on another fun custom centering around good eats.

Reindeer food is a relative newcomer on the scene, at least in our family, but it seems likely to stick around for a while. Reindeer food is basically just a baggie of oatmeal (possibly with food coloring added) with a label on it, but junior celebrants love to sprinkle it on the lawn on Christmas Eve so Rudolf and friends can have an outdoor snack while Santa enjoys the milk and cookies inside. If the food is sprinkled on snow, you’ll often find on Christmas morning that it’s been scooped or licked up by hungry ruminants. Sometimes the reindeer even leave tracks or antler marks on the ground.

What makes for a cool Yule around your house?

Today around the world: December 4 is Kamolol Day, or Thanksgiving, in the Marshall Islands.

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