Christmas Memories with Jen Uschold
Host Lisa Helton
Christmas Eve December 24th, 2023
Christmas Eve December 24th, 2023
Jen and I sit down and chat all things Christmas in this special episode. Jen is the youngest of 9 children and has wealth of Christmas memories and traditions. We both share our Christmas memories coming from large families. Our interview is based on a Christmas letter she sent out to her family the year her dad passed away in 2022.
2022- Christmas past..
This year, I (Jen), am writing from my perspective. Dad went to be with my Mom in heaven in March 2022. They are reunited. We celebrated both my parents in Buffalo in July. It made me reflect on Christmas growing up in a busy house. I will be sharing silly and heartwarming stories from the Uschold house at 104 Dexter Terrace.
How many gifts?
Our tradition included each child giving each child a gift. Ponder…9 children buying-wrapping-exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve. Most of us were not driving. This put a huge burden on my mom as Dad was likely not involved. Add more fun and crazy when nieces and nephews entered the picture. It made for very long shopping lists. Jim notoriously waited until Christmas eve and would often bribe Bert or me to wrap for him.
It’s cool to be the Youngest
I am the youngest of the crew. Dad used to call me the “Caboose”. As I grew up, my siblings had real jobs and made real money. While I would buy them a gift that fit my price range (maybe $1-2), they would buy gifts that fit their budget. This was the jackpot for me! One of the most memorable years was when I had 7 (yes 7!) gifts from my oldest brother Rick. He gave me a pair of jeans and 6 puzzles like a Rubik's Cube.
Uschold Math
Often as we got older, we would go in on gifts for each other. Maybe Nancy and Jim would go together for Bert. Or Suzanne, Joanne and Michael would buy for Rick. Or maybe Ray would buy a gift for Bert and me to share. Imagine trying to keep track of who contributed to what and who owes who how much! It would usually happen in the upstairs hallway. Lots of back and forth of who owed who and how much. Truth is…in the end after all the money exchanging, we all had about the same amount of money as when we started.
Dad and the Christmas Tree
For years, we would chop down a real Christmas tree with the Dinan family. At some point, that stopped. Mom truly loved and believed in a real tree. One year, on 12/24, Dad went to a local place to get a tree. Yes- December 24th. When my Dad went to pay for the tree, the attendant gave it to him for free. I don’t recall the conversation, it seems the attendant felt badly for my Dad waiting until Christmas Eve to buy a tree.
Mom’s Last Tree
Dad knew how much my Mom loved the real trees. December 18, 2013, he bought a small live tree to take to the assisted living facility. Mom never got to see the tree as she died in her sleep that night. The following May, my kids and I went to see my Dad. We planted that tree in the backyard. We even kept the red ribbon on it.
The Guessing Game
One might think the night was over after the opening of gifts from each of us to each other. (oh, important note, Mom made sure we waited and watched each person open each gift). This was not the Rip Gift Express. This was the MSA (Mom Savor and Appreciate) version.
Next was The Guessing Game. Mom would bring out one gift for each of us. (sometimes she would put our names on the bottom and sometimes she would “wing it”). We would guess which gift was ours. If you guessed correctly, you got to open your gift. Don’t forget, MSA version. If you guessed wrong, you would have to wait for the next round. It was not uncommon for Mom to say yes when she meant no and vice versa. There were times when someone would be opening a gift only to have it revoked by my Mom. You might imagine this was quite entertaining. And when my Mom got into a laughing fit…settle in as it would be awhile before she stops. This was always a highlight of Family Christmas for me.
The Guessing Game 2013
I decided we needed to play The Guessing Game one more time at the reception after my Mom’s funeral. Adrianna and I shopped for silly gifts. We bought PB and J for Opa (Dad) because he used to say he could get “10 miles on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich” while biking. I bought one sister (who will remain anonymous) a book on menopause. It was well timed….not so appreciated.
I was absolutely positively 100% confident I would not mess up the order or who got which gift.
But I did!!!
I think all of us were laughing just as hard and long as Mom would have.
This year, I (Jen), am writing from my perspective. Dad went to be with my Mom in heaven in March 2022. They are reunited. We celebrated both my parents in Buffalo in July. It made me reflect on Christmas growing up in a busy house. I will be sharing silly and heartwarming stories from the Uschold house at 104 Dexter Terrace.
How many gifts?
Our tradition included each child giving each child a gift. Ponder…9 children buying-wrapping-exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve. Most of us were not driving. This put a huge burden on my mom as Dad was likely not involved. Add more fun and crazy when nieces and nephews entered the picture. It made for very long shopping lists. Jim notoriously waited until Christmas eve and would often bribe Bert or me to wrap for him.
It’s cool to be the Youngest
I am the youngest of the crew. Dad used to call me the “Caboose”. As I grew up, my siblings had real jobs and made real money. While I would buy them a gift that fit my price range (maybe $1-2), they would buy gifts that fit their budget. This was the jackpot for me! One of the most memorable years was when I had 7 (yes 7!) gifts from my oldest brother Rick. He gave me a pair of jeans and 6 puzzles like a Rubik's Cube.
Uschold Math
Often as we got older, we would go in on gifts for each other. Maybe Nancy and Jim would go together for Bert. Or Suzanne, Joanne and Michael would buy for Rick. Or maybe Ray would buy a gift for Bert and me to share. Imagine trying to keep track of who contributed to what and who owes who how much! It would usually happen in the upstairs hallway. Lots of back and forth of who owed who and how much. Truth is…in the end after all the money exchanging, we all had about the same amount of money as when we started.
Dad and the Christmas Tree
For years, we would chop down a real Christmas tree with the Dinan family. At some point, that stopped. Mom truly loved and believed in a real tree. One year, on 12/24, Dad went to a local place to get a tree. Yes- December 24th. When my Dad went to pay for the tree, the attendant gave it to him for free. I don’t recall the conversation, it seems the attendant felt badly for my Dad waiting until Christmas Eve to buy a tree.
Mom’s Last Tree
Dad knew how much my Mom loved the real trees. December 18, 2013, he bought a small live tree to take to the assisted living facility. Mom never got to see the tree as she died in her sleep that night. The following May, my kids and I went to see my Dad. We planted that tree in the backyard. We even kept the red ribbon on it.
The Guessing Game
One might think the night was over after the opening of gifts from each of us to each other. (oh, important note, Mom made sure we waited and watched each person open each gift). This was not the Rip Gift Express. This was the MSA (Mom Savor and Appreciate) version.
Next was The Guessing Game. Mom would bring out one gift for each of us. (sometimes she would put our names on the bottom and sometimes she would “wing it”). We would guess which gift was ours. If you guessed correctly, you got to open your gift. Don’t forget, MSA version. If you guessed wrong, you would have to wait for the next round. It was not uncommon for Mom to say yes when she meant no and vice versa. There were times when someone would be opening a gift only to have it revoked by my Mom. You might imagine this was quite entertaining. And when my Mom got into a laughing fit…settle in as it would be awhile before she stops. This was always a highlight of Family Christmas for me.
The Guessing Game 2013
I decided we needed to play The Guessing Game one more time at the reception after my Mom’s funeral. Adrianna and I shopped for silly gifts. We bought PB and J for Opa (Dad) because he used to say he could get “10 miles on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich” while biking. I bought one sister (who will remain anonymous) a book on menopause. It was well timed….not so appreciated.
I was absolutely positively 100% confident I would not mess up the order or who got which gift.
But I did!!!
I think all of us were laughing just as hard and long as Mom would have.
Trail Mix Log: (as known to her mom as 'hard sausage')
2 pounds of dates.
2 pounds of raisins
1 pound of figs.
3 pounds of peanuts.
Put all of it through a meat grinder and mixed thoroughly.
Shape into logs. Wrap and store for 2
to 3 weeks before using. Cut into slices.
This is from my grandmother on my mother side.
The ONLY Sugar Cookies:
One cup of softened butter
3 ounces of softened cream cheese
One cup of sugar.
One egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cups of flour
Half a teaspoon of salt
Quarter teaspoon of baking soda.
Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk
and extracts. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Refrigerate for
at least three hours. These can be used in any sugar cookie base. I use it for the nutmeg logs
and the cut outs and the surprise package cookies.
Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes. Time will depend on how you are using the cookie.
I do not recall where I got this recipe from.
Surprise Package Cookies:
Make the sugar cookie base. Take about 1 inch bowl of dough and wrap around and Andy’s
candy. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Drizzle with a chocolate mint chocolate drizzle.
Coconut Curry Cashews:
https://drhyman.com/blog/2017/01/09/coconut-curry-cashews/
Christmas Crack:
https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/dessert-candy/crockpot-christmas-crack.html
Nutmeg Cookies:
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/frosted-nutmeg-log-cookies/
Chocolate Caramel Candy (“snickers”)
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-caramel-candy/
Faux Reos:
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/faux-reos-recipe
I make the mint version.
2 pounds of dates.
2 pounds of raisins
1 pound of figs.
3 pounds of peanuts.
Put all of it through a meat grinder and mixed thoroughly.
Shape into logs. Wrap and store for 2
to 3 weeks before using. Cut into slices.
This is from my grandmother on my mother side.
The ONLY Sugar Cookies:
One cup of softened butter
3 ounces of softened cream cheese
One cup of sugar.
One egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cups of flour
Half a teaspoon of salt
Quarter teaspoon of baking soda.
Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk
and extracts. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Refrigerate for
at least three hours. These can be used in any sugar cookie base. I use it for the nutmeg logs
and the cut outs and the surprise package cookies.
Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes. Time will depend on how you are using the cookie.
I do not recall where I got this recipe from.
Surprise Package Cookies:
Make the sugar cookie base. Take about 1 inch bowl of dough and wrap around and Andy’s
candy. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Drizzle with a chocolate mint chocolate drizzle.
Coconut Curry Cashews:
https://drhyman.com/blog/2017/01/09/coconut-curry-cashews/
Christmas Crack:
https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/dessert-candy/crockpot-christmas-crack.html
Nutmeg Cookies:
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/frosted-nutmeg-log-cookies/
Chocolate Caramel Candy (“snickers”)
https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-caramel-candy/
Faux Reos:
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/faux-reos-recipe
I make the mint version.
About Jen |
Jen Uschold (DeLorenzo). has been a Physical Therapist for over 30 years. A client in Alexandria, VA asked me to come home with him one day and be his health coach. I said I did not think my kids would be so thrilled with that! However, this inspired my journey to become a Health and Wellness Coach and in the first group to take the National Board Certification examination in 2017.
I continued to be curious about complementary fields to increase my toolbox for my clients. This led to a deep dive into Pain Science, Lifestyle Medicine, and Mental Fitness coaching. The combined total of my years studying these fields is close to 25 years! I’ve been passionate about helping and guiding people for decades to empower themselves through knowledge and options. My mantra with my clients at my very first PT job in Pennsylvania was “helping you help yourself”. This was long before I had the language of Pain Science or Coaching which is quite reflective of this phrase.
I continued to be curious about complementary fields to increase my toolbox for my clients. This led to a deep dive into Pain Science, Lifestyle Medicine, and Mental Fitness coaching. The combined total of my years studying these fields is close to 25 years! I’ve been passionate about helping and guiding people for decades to empower themselves through knowledge and options. My mantra with my clients at my very first PT job in Pennsylvania was “helping you help yourself”. This was long before I had the language of Pain Science or Coaching which is quite reflective of this phrase.
180 THERAPY AND WELLNESS
Website for Mental Fitness and Divorce Prep
LINKEDIN
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
If you’re interested in learning more, head over to
https://www.iriseforme.com/mental-fitness-training
Jen is offering our listeners a 20% discount on the 2024 offerings which are on her website. Please use the code
TrustedFriend20
Website for Mental Fitness and Divorce Prep
If you’re interested in learning more, head over to
https://www.iriseforme.com/mental-fitness-training
Jen is offering our listeners a 20% discount on the 2024 offerings which are on her website. Please use the code
TrustedFriend20