One of the fondest memories I have of Christmas Eve as a young adult is getting all the goodies needed for a Christmas Eve gathering. And one of my favorite places to go, right around noon on the 24th was Ro-Lynn Deli. Now most other times of the year, when we wanted hoagies or cheese steaks we would go to Phil and Jim’s. But Christmas Eve, the only place to go was Ro-Lynn’s!
Ro-Lynn’s was no typical deli. It was a mecca for Italian food and groceries. They had just about everything you could think of to put together a proper Italian Christmas Eve spread. That was usually the first stop of the day. Oh, and on the 24th, John, the then owner, would always hand out some homemade “Dago Red” wine. I think his plan was to keep you hanging around a little longer than usual. The longer you stayed, the more you bought. There goes that Christmas bonus.
My parents typically hosted Christmas eve at their home on Edgmont Ave. I would eventually end up there, but first stop after Ro-Lynn’s was Wallio’s Frog Pond. You’d see a lot of the same people you’d see on any given night and meet some new people who were regulars during the day. There was always a little spread out, some cheese and crackers and such, and everyone was in a great mood. You’d even get a free draft beer for the holiday! Next stop would be the Liberty Tavern. Another little spread was out, and some of the regulars, who were friends that lived over by Irvington, would be there too. Most of these peeps were friends from grade and high school. After a few pops there, it was off to stop a few friends’ houses. Of course you’d bring a little Christmas cheer with you. I always made the rounds, with my last stop being the Caruso’s house, before eventually ending up home for the main event.
My parent’s house was usually packed. They had an open house where friends and family came and went. My dad had built a little bar where the pantry used to be, and that was the place to gather. My dad would be behind the bar, holding court, and whipping up his whiskey sours, while others would be sitting at the small four-seat bar. Even more folks would be crowded behind them. The smoke was so thick, you’d have to crack a window to let in some fresh air. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace in the living room, and people were scattered throughout the house and kitchen. Before I was married, I’d spend the night at my parent’s house (I lived at my grandmother’s) and would wake up there Christmas day. There were so many people in the house, my parents never noticed, or cared, that I was drinking beer and celebrating the holiday with everyone else.
Those were some really fun times, and traditions, that I carried on when we started hosting Christmas Eve ourselves. It was the next generations turn to carry the holiday torch. When I moved to Berry Lane, and my parents built their in-law suite at our house, that become the new place to gather for our immediate family for some ravioli’s, meatballs, shrimp, clams, fish, and tons of pizzelles. I’d be in the kitchen at the stove, cooking, holding court, and drinking, and it was not uncommon for a neighbor or two to stop over for a drink and some dinner.
The tradition continues. This year, like the past few, we will be at my sister Maria’s house. This will be the first year without my friend and brother-in-law Paul, but he’ll be there in spirit. And like years past, we’ll have some ravioli’s, meatballs, wine and pizzelles. The important thing is not the food, but the family. La Famiglia!
Merry Christmas Eve and I hope you enjoy whatever traditions your family has.