Preservings $20 Issue No. 26, 2006 - Home at Plett Foundation

dried fruit which complements
the rich salty taste of the Heätzwurst
particularly well. Tschweschpen
Mues is often thickened
with cornstarch, or flour, or
simply by adding heavy cream
after cooling. Tschweschpen
translates to prunes, and Mues
to compote.
Baking has become another
integral Christmas tradition for
Hutterites. In late November
or early December one of the
women cooking duos bakes
fruit cake with the help of the
head cook. Because it tends to
be expensive, it is often alternated
with a simpler kind such
as vine torte, chocolate, white
or Princess Elizabeth cake.
Another delightful Christmas
pastry is cookies, a spectacular
event in some colonies
with a dozen or more different
varieties baked by the Dienen
(young women), in one day.
On those days, breakfast in
the community kitchen is accompanied
by the aroma of
gingerbread or macaroons, girlish chatter and
laughter, and a carol or two floating in from
the Bochheisel (bakery). In other years cookie
baking is spread out over Advent with only
two varieties made each week. Fresh baking
provides a fine opportunity to make a gesture of
thanks to a neighbour or business associate.
Individual gift-giving varies among Hutterites
and is a significant aspect of Christmas
for some families, while others try to deemphasize
it. Children always receive a gift
from the colony, though shopping may be the
parents’ responsibility with each age group
allotted the same amount of money, e.g., ten
dollars for five year olds and fifteen for twelve
year olds. Parents may add to that in order to
afford a larger item such as a keyboard or even
skates - an incredible contrast to the time in our
history in late seventeenth-century Slovakia
(Hungary) when Hutterite communities were
so poor it was not possible to provide everyone
with a pair of shoes. Upon entering a home
it was imperative to leave one’s shoes at the
door. Everyone inside was in stocking feet and
it was understood that anyone needing to leave
would slip into whatever fitting pair of shoes
was available at the door.
In an effort to reduce or avoid the materialistic
consumerism gift giving can so easily
become, some families have made a tradition
of drawing names so that each member
receives a gift and is obligated to give only
one. Others refrain from individual gift giving
altogether.
Although gift giving practices may vary
from colony to colony, a traditional highlight
observed by all is Necklus taldn, the distribution
of an elaborate array of Christmas treats
to every family in the community. Throughout
the Advent weeks the Hausholter (steward,
Hutterite young people at Fairholme colony baking cookies.
secretary treasurer) who is also responsible for
grocery purchases, chooses different products
from wholesalers and other outlets in Winnipeg
or Brandon. He is assisted by several
senior women, his wife and/or the head cook.
The very word Necklus conjures up images
of delectable snack foods: chocolate, jujubes,
peanuts, fruit, crackers, sardines, smoked
oysters, ham, popcorn, soda pop, chips and
fruit juice among others. Often it includes the
year’s supply of household products such as
cough drops, shampoo, bath soap, even fabric
softener.
In addition to meeting everyone’s needs
equitably, the celebratory abundance of things
sweet and delicious is symbolic of the wondrous
richness of life and the myriad blessings
effected in our lives by the Messiah whose birth
we commemorate.
Two other characteristics of Necklus taldn
are the fair distribution which is expressive of
our belief in brotherly caring for all. It also
illustrates and underscores the importance of
family and hospitality because some items are
put away expressly for times when company
comes. “The only time my mother ever served
canned ham was when we had visitors, making
it the most special of foods,” a friend told me
recently. “Mother sent me to the community
kitchen fridge for some pickles, which she
served with sandwiches or a plate of ham,
cheese and crackers,”
Another special memory from the same
woman involves the tradition of Christmas
Eve singing. “After each of us had a bath,
we gathered in the living room to sing our
favourite Weihnachtslieder (Christmas songs),
until we were warm and thirsty. Then my Dad
opened a large can of orange juice and served
us each a glass. It was delectable and remains
for me an unforgettable part of the joys of
that evening.”
A Christmas Eve memory from my childhood
is a marvelous pot pourri of older sister
Sarie giving us baths in the aluminum tub
behind the coal stove. At the other end of the
living room Mother was finishing some shirts
for the boys. “Chris, run over to Ona Basel
(Aunt Anna), and get me the Knupfluchausnaner
(buttonholer),” she urged. After my
bath I hurried to the sewing machine. I loved
watching the buttonholer’s staccato dance up
and down the pencil marks on the shirt-front.
Threading the needle to sew buttons, Mother
started the first song of the evening. My father
joined her and I hear their voices still, “Das
herzens Jesulein, Das herzens Jesulein!” (O
blessed Baby Jesu!)
These and many other memories result
from our Christmas traditions, and if three
days seems a little long and drawn out, I’m
reminded of the importance of our sabbath,
a weekly day of rest. It’s widely recognized
that its civilizing influence on mankind is incalculable.
This brings to mind a comment by
my Ukrainian history professor at university.
Explaining the Greek Orthodox custom of
a lengthy Christmas Season he said, “Some
people have a problem with the longer festive
period, but with its family-strengthening traditions
of relaxed gatherings with good food
and warm, stimulating company, it seems to
be closer to the way Christmas was meant to
be celebrated.”
After his Winter 1988 visit, our friend
Bodo echoed similar sentiments. “Es ist doch
wunderschön, drei ruhige Feiertagen geniessen
zu können!” he concluded. (It’s wonderful to be
able to enjoy three peaceful Holy Days!)
88 - Preservings No. 26, 2006