Celebrating the holiday's with KFC and shortcake

While we cooks here in the good old United States of America were stuffing birds of all kinds and roasting all sorts of vittles, the people of Japan left the chore to none other than Colonel Sanders.

Most Japanese began this fried chicken tradition in the early 1970s. Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises were trying to get the Japanese to eat with their fingers so they came up with a new tradition for them. It has been a hit every year since then. KFC fried chicken is called "Kentucky" in Japan.

The amazing thing is most Japanese practice Buddhism or the Shinto religion but that has not stopped them from making Christmas traditions of their own. Department stores and lots of offices set up Christmas trees, and 90 percent of little children believe in Santa Claus. Another tradition is a cake somewhat like our strawberry shortcake which is so popular a company even makes strawberry shortcake potato chips.

There is great demand for the "Kentucky" and the Christmas cakes, both of which must be ordered in advance in October if no one wants to be disappointed.

Oh, by the way, in Chile Santa Claus comes through an open window which might be a good thing to tell children if there is no fireplace in your abode.

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Four generations of the Brown Family hosted a Christmas gingerbread decorating party at Nedra and Bill Brown's home on Gingko Lane in Stock Farm last week.

Nedra, Lori, Emma, Arden and Ella shared the fun with Patterson, Lily and Campbell Guscio.

Nedra, grande dame of the flock, is an unbelievable hostess. There were over 20 different kinds of candies, colored icings of all hues, sprinkles galore and libations for the grownups offered. Lots of candies and icing had to be tasted of course so the "builders" had blue and green faces.

The finished "houses" were so gorgeous and smelled even better.

After hands and faces were washed clean Nedra led the chicks upstairs to a playroom stocked with books and videos. All of my grandchildren adore going to her house and I must say I can see why.

DOLL DILEMMA

Have you ever received a present that was terrible?

When our daughter Tat was little she was given a doll. The doll wasn't peculiar looking or anything like that but we discovered something else. There was a hidden button on it and when pushed, the doll let out a horrible laugh that went on so it seemed forever. Since the doll came from a family member, we thanked them profusely of course. I tried to take it away from Tat for several days but to no avail. Finally I snapped it up and put the doll in a drawer thinking she might forget about it and then I could give it away.

Unfortunately, someone opened the drawer and by mistake pushed the button.

Well we put up with the laughter until the battery wore out, which took several days, believe it or not.

Then the doll drifted off and out of sight and mind.

CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE

I spent a Christmas once in Strasbourg, France, with some of my cousins. It was a wonderful treat for me.

I went to the market each day with their cook and that was glorious. There were all sorts of edibles displayed beautifully. Ducks, geese and chickens were plucked clean and hung by their feet which I had never seen done before.

We decorated a beautiful Christmas tree with all sorts of lovely ornaments and placed metal clips on the branches that held real candles. For supper on Christmas eve, after we had gone to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, we lit the candles on the tree and had a spectacular feast of toast , caviar and champagne.

It was one of the prettiest Christmases I can remember.

PLAYING POST OFFICE

I have an idea that might be fun. Have you ever wondered where mail goes when you drop it in the slot?

I think it all goes to Savannah to spend the night and then is sent to wherever it is addressed.

If you have children, buy four postcards and have them sent back to you along with a little note. Mail them from four different places in one day and see how long it takes to get them back.

I was thinking of doing this because then children can see how much fun it is to get mail instead of e-mail. This might also be good for the post office's red ink.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Now we are nipping into 2016 after what seemed to me a very short 2015. I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year celebration. I don't think I will make any New Year's resolutions. I can never remember them anyway.

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 12:13 PM with the headline "Celebrating the holiday's with KFC and shortcake."