LITTLE TIN FLUTES, LITTLE TOY DRUMS HELP SHAPE FAMILY TRADITIONS
December 18, 2000
Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129
University of Oregon folklorist Sharon Sherman sees a lot more in Santa’s bag than rooty-toot-toots and rummy-tum-tums." That bag is stuffed with traditions, she says. "It may be the way you get your tree, when you open the presents or how you hang the stockings that make up your family’s Christmas celebration." Even Alvin, the Grinch and Charlie Brown–which at one level symbolize the commercialization of the holiday–have become Christmas traditions for some families. Traditions, she says, are the things we hold dear because they give us a sense of continuity. "When millions of people are all opening presents at the same time, or sitting down to a Christmas feast, people feel connected with something larger than themselves. SOURCE: Sharon Sherman, UO professor of English and folklore department head, (541) 346-3966 (work), (541) 343-7158 (home); e-mail <srs@oregon.uoregon.edu>#T-6041/DAY