Looking Back: Celebrating Winter and Christmas

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


As the days keep getting shorter, we realize winter is nearly here. The winter solstice, which marks the first day of winter 2023, occurs on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 10:27 p.m. EST. Winter solstice is the astronomical moment when the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, we have our shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of daylight. Regardless of what the weather is doing outside your window, the solstice marks the official start of winter.

For folks in Grain Valley, December 21st meant the Christmas program at school; yes, we could still call it Christmas and sing “Silent Night” by candlelight. Can any of you remember those Christmas programs when we sat on risers on the old gym floor, gathered around the “fresh” cedar tree. Girls wore their formals from prom or homecoming and our full skirts billowed out around us! The aroma from that tree filled the entire gym and spilled out into the stairway. And, by the way, no one ever asked where the senior boys got the tree!

December 21st meant school was out, or it would be soon, for Christmas vacation. With any luck there would be snow on the ground and a “White Christmas.” A few years ago at the fraternity house where I worked in Columbia, several young men were seated around the breakfast table when I mentioned the classic song. To my surprise, and dismay, they didn’t know what I was talking about. I put the CD into the computer in my apartment, turned the volume ALL THE WAY UP, and played it over and over for the next three days. Needless to say, they were really happy for finals to end so they could go home for winter break.

December 21st meant last minute shopping, getting out the sled, and baking cookies to leave for Santa on Christmas Eve. When Santa came to our house he got a plate of Mom’s best Jam Thumbprints, but at Christmas time they were topped with red or green maraschino cherries.
 
JAM THUMBPRINTS (Mom’s recipe)
2/3 cup butter   
1/3 cup granulated sugar                                                                             
2 eggs    (separated)                    
1 tsp vanilla                                                                                                
1/2 tsp. salt                                          
1 1/2 cups sifted flour                                                                                 
/4 cup finely chopped nuts                                                                                                                            Red and green maraschino cherries, well drained
 
Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add 2 egg yolks, vanilla, and salt; beat well. Gradually add flour, mixing well. Shape in 3/4-inch balls; dip in 2 slightly beaten egg whites, roll in chopped nuts. Place 1-inch apart on greased cookie sheet. Press center of each with thumb. Bake at 350-degrees for 15 minutes. Cool slightly, remove from pan and cool on rack. Top each with a cherry (or cherry or strawberry jam).  Enjoy!
 
The Historical Society will be opened on December 13 and 20 with Christmas Decorations, Vintage toys and Thumbprint Cookies, along with Coffee, Hot Tea and Punch! Come and visit!
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