“Final countdown, oh, It’s the final countdown” blasted from the TV speakers as the electric chords beganto fade out. My cousin and uncle stood there, panting, frozen in their final positions after five straight minutes of intense rolling, jumping and dancing around each other to win the most stars in the “Just Dance 4” version of “The Final Countdown.” A fun, family night, you might be wondering? No, actually, it was Christmas Eve 2012: the coveted tradition of playing the newest “Just Dance” every December 24th had just commenced in my grandparents’ living room.
The tradition of my grandparents hosting Christmas Eve has lasted as long as I can remember. The evenings began with all the cousins arriving in their nicest plaid and velvet from Christmas Eve Mass, followed by a comforting meal involving all of the best foods: ham, green beans, rolls and potatoes, just to name a few. Prior to Christmas Eve, my grandma and I would prepare peanut butter blossoms, which involved rolling the dough, dropping it in sugar, and of course, putting the Hershey Kiss on top (not without stealing a few beforehand). The scents of the chocolatey desserts, savory ham and the evergreen tree, combined with the booming laughter of my uncle from across the table, made for the perfect Christmas Eve dinner
every time.
After the traditional dinner and dessert, my cousins and I would race to the tree to open the gifts. Going in order from oldest to youngest, I, the middle cousin, would watch in anticipation as my older cousins opened their fancy Doc Marten boots and new headphones. When it finally got to me, on the other hand, I would rip open the packaging to find the newest American Girl Doll.
However, the most-anticipated event of the night was the “Just Dance” competition. My grandparents would buy the newest version of “Just Dance,” and for the rest of the night, our family would compete. Two family members would grab a Wii remote, choose a dance, and become absolutely entranced into the dance moves on the TV like nothing else mattered. The prize? The satisfaction of beating your cousin, aunt or uncle, or maybe even a high-five from the couch.
While the beloved and unique “Just Dance” competitions came to a stop with COVID, I will never forget the feeling of dancing alongside my family, whether it be rolling around each other to “The Final Countdown” or kicking my hands and feet out to “Rasputin.” However, I’ve come to realize that my love for Christmas isn’t rooted in the dance moves I so impressively cultivated, but rather the love, laughter and memories my family shared that made me cherish the holiday so much.
