Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-12-24, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015. Kikkert Christmas marks reunion for family Some aspects of Christmas are changing for members of the Kikkert family and others are destined to remain the same this year. Averly Kikkert of East Wawanosh, the mastermind behind this year’s Blyth BIA Lighting of the Lights and employee at Queens Bakery, and her sister Jillian Hilt of Blyth spent some time with The Citizen reflecting on Christmases past and what the future of their holidays hold. Things usually get rolling pretty early at the Kikkert home, the sisters say, with a variety of Christmas music echoing through the halls by the beginning of November and the Christmas tree being put up at the beginning of December. The tree has historically been Jillian’s responsibility. Since the girls were “old enough to care about the tree” Jillian has taken charge of that particular task. Their sister Aryn (they also have three brothers, Liam, Evan and Collin) has expressed no interest in decorating the tree, so it naturally fell to Jillian and she had absolutely no problem with that. The Kikkert family tree, at the home of Cindy and Harv, remains Jillian’s responsibility even though this year’s Christmas will be her second away from home, living in Blyth with her husband Brian and their young son Josiah. Despite having flown the coop, Jillian has returned every year to decorate the tree and plans to continue that tradition. This year, in fact, she relished the opportunity, as she and Brian have yet to procure their own tree. This Christmas they’ve skipped the age- old tradition of a tree in favour of a Christmas wreath, but there are plans for a tree in the very near Christmas future. Christmas has also marked an annual homecoming as well for Aryn, who now lives in Colorado with her husband John and their two children Mark and Jonathan. Her family will be returning home to Huron County this holiday season to take in the festivities with their family. The family has historically opened their presents on Christmas Eve and they have always foregone Santa Claus in their home for a variety of reasons. While it has been a family tradition since the girls were born – so they had no choice in the matter – they’re glad things were that way in their home. Averly says gifts mean more when they come from family or friends. When you know someone gives a gift because they care about you and found something they thought you would like, it makes it much more special and personal, as opposed to receiving a gift simply because you behaved yourself that year. Jillian says she agrees and so she and Brian, whose family felt the same way, plan on continuing the tradition with Josiah when he’s old enough (this year will be his first Christmas). Gifts, however, are not the focal point of the family’s Christmas celebrations. Both Averly and Jillian agree that Christmas is about Jesus Christ and spending time with family, not buying things for one another. The whole family agrees with them, which results in a premium being placed on spending time with one another, not time spending agonizing over the “perfect” gift. With the Kikkert children still operating out of their parents’ home in East Wawanosh around the holidays, that means there will be plenty to eat and it won’t be traditional Christmas fare. The family, whose roots are Dutch, have always relied on a heavy diet of oliebollen – a traditional Dutch fried donut – and plenty of gingerbread at Christmas. Jillian and Averly both agree though, that consumption happens just as fast as production. On Christmas, the kitchen quickly turns into a bit of a disaster area, with donuts frying and powdered sugar everywhere, with nary a donut to be found. Half the fun, say the girls, is eating the donuts while they’re hot – right out of the fryer, so they don’t stick around for long – while the other half is the fun of making them together as a family. The fryer actually gets a lot of use around the holidays at the Kikkert home and Averly and Jillian can trace that back to a complaint they made when they were younger. Sick of their mom, Cindy, spending too much time in the kitchen preparing a traditional Christmas dinner around the holidays, the girls complained and Cindy came up with a strategy that wouldn’t keep her in the kitchen as long. So on Christmas, everything at the Kikkert house is deep-fried. Similar to an evening at the pub, the Christmas menu consists of mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, etc. A little different, Averly and Jillian admit, but it’s what they’ve grown up with. And we’d like to say thanks for helping to keep us on a roll! With best wishes for a merry season. BROPHY TIRE 104 Pine Street, Wingham 519-357-3712 Beside Steffen Auto Supply www.brophytire.com Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2016. Thank you kindly for your loyal support. McCall Livestock 85345 Brussels Line, P.O. Box 140, BRUSSELS Ross McCall Matt McCall Keith McLean Office. . . . . . . . . . . . 519-887-9571 Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519-887-9171 84561 Clegg Line, Brussels 519-440-2252 Carter Cloakey Licensed Technician Owner & Operator MERRY CHRISTMAS Thank you to my customers for their business throughout the year. Best Wishes for a great 2016. 406 Mill Street (corner of Dinsley & Mill), Blyth 519-523-4793 • www.spaessentialsblyth.com Kelly, Carla, Katie, Laura, Vicky, Damian, Kaitlyn & Ruth wish you a relaxing holiday! Kevin Pletch 519-357-5023 kpletch@tnt21.com Office: 519-395-3959 Toll Free: 1-866-495-3959 Lake Range Realty Ltd. Brokerage We’d like to join you and your family, in singing His praises, as we share the spirit of this holy season. BORRMANN'S GARAGE 86924 Brussels Line RR #1 Bluevale 519-335-3857 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Making new memories Christmas with the Kikkert family has changed over the years. Averly Kikkert, left, and her sister Jillian Hilt, right, and her son Josiah, are rolling with the changes, keeping some traditional practices, while also creating new ones. (Shawn Loughlin photo)