My brother-in-law from Michigan's family came from the bohemian part of Germany. Their Christmas Eve tradition was to serve cream of wheat. There was an almond in the pot, and whomever got it in their serving was supposed to have good luck in the coming year.

My family had oyster stew. Some recipes call for sauteed celery or onions, but ours was pure seasoned milk/cream. The clam broth is a nice addition. Be sure to get some oyster crackers to go with.

Oyster Stew

28 oysters
6 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 cup oyster liquor (make up with bottled clam broth)
1 cup milk
1 cup light cream
Salt to taste
(2 tbsp sweet chili sauce)

Pick over the oysters, removing bits of shell. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in the top of a double boiler over but not in boiling water. Add Worcestershire, celery salt, and paprika. Add oysters, bring to a simmer. Add oyster liquor and heat up again. Add the milk and cream. Stir once or twice. Bring almost to a boil. Salt to taste and pour into bowls. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter to each portion.

My dad's family always served it with tomato aspic. The green stuffed olives give it a very festive look. The way to serve it is to put a little piece of iceberg lettuce on a small plate, top with a square of the aspic, and then a dab of real mayonnaise on each serving.

Tomato Aspic

3 1/2 cups V8 juice
2 (6 oz) pkgs. lemon Jello
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup wine vinegar, (with tarragon)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
8 - 12 drops Tabasco
4 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 cup sliced stuffed green olives
Chopped celery, to taste
Chopped bell pepper, to taste

Heat V-8 to a boil and remove from heat. Add Jello, stirring until dissolved. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Add vinegar, lemon juice, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco. Stir thoroughly and pour into a greased mold. Refrigerate. When mix begins to gel, add vegetables and olives. Chill thoroughly and unmold to serve. (You can make it in a rectangular baking dish.)

Accompany this meal with celery sticks. You can stuff them with cream cheese or pimiento cheese if you want to get fancy.