Thanksgiving has passed, all the turkey decorations are put away, along with the Halloween pumpkins and goblins.

We Americans love our holidays and show off a wonderful mixture of our ancestor’s traditions.

No holiday speaks to those family traditions more than Christmas.

Oh, the foods, the music, the pageants, and community events abound us in such quantities that it’s difficult to choose.

Polish families start the season on Dec. 6, Day of St. Nicholas, and make pierogi and sauerkraut. German families have potatoes, duck, and the German plate of sweets. Spanish holidays include paella, gazpacho, and churros. And, of course, the French make the most of any occasion with foil gras, smoked salmon, cheeses and … voila … champagne!

Our small communities are not as diverse as those in bigger cities, but getting to know all American ancestry traditions is fun and creative. Especially those who celebrate their choice of religious holidays unlike the Christian persuasion, as our friends of Jewish, Muslim, or Indian backgrounds. Children learn these easily in school, and most of us, for whatever reason, forget how many nationalities fill our great lands.

This season of all is the time to remember the hardships and sacrifices our ancestors endured to get us to today, here in America. Let’s celebrate them!

I was at the Marshall’s store in Alpena on Black Friday (yes … absolutely crazy) fighting the crowded aisles when a voice rang out amidst the throng of shoppers, “Marco,” and two young voices in separate locations answered, “Polo.” Again the male rang, “Marco,” and closer came the “Polo!”

Absolutely amazing language of a family rounding up and staying together! So cool!

Whether you say, “Wesotych Swait,” “Joyeux Noel,” or “Felix Navidad,” or imagine a family’s favorite … Marco Polo … share your wishes for good will and happiness.

MARGARET KUTZERA,

Harrisville