My family's holiday tradition is seeing the Eagles in freezing December. Now they're bad and I don't want to go.
his week’s question (Have your own? Submit it here.):
My family has a holiday tradition of seeing the Eagles every December. Every December it is FREEZING and my toes feel like they’re going to fall off. I’ve been good with it in recent years because the Eagles have been good. Now... that is not the case. They are bad. Very bad. And tickets are still not cheap! How do I convince my family it’s really not worth it? I’m hoping they secretly harbor the same desire.
Mike Newall, Life & Culture Reporter
I am one for tradition and family and God love the Eagles. But not this year.
Jason Nark, Life & Culture Reporter
I’m also big on traditions and family and, more often than not, have been the one pressuring others to keep it going. I’m not going to pick apart your claim that December is freezing, but I do think you should go to the game, regardless. The fact that the team is terrible, in some ways, could make the family time a bit more enjoyable.
Mike Newall
Oh, we disagree. Fun!
The team stinks. Tickets ain’t cheap and I love my toes and once stood under a heat lamp for the entirety of a winter classic outdoor hockey game.
Jason Nark
The ticket prices will definitely be lower than usual, though I’m sure they’re still not cheap, per se.
Mike Newall
Maybe we can serve you best, dear reader, by giving you other options for your family holiday tradition this year.
Watch at home with meatballs and little tiny roast pork sandwiches from a crockpot.
Watch at a bar with good wings and beer specials.
Take one of those wine and painting classes (I hear they’re fun).
Knit.
Jason Nark
How about a Flyers game? Also kind of cold, but cheaper than the Sixers.
Mike Newall
Go to a Flyers game (great idea, Jason).
Hot yoga.
Ballroom dancing (the place on Passyunk Ave is great)
Benihana?
Jason Nark
I froze my butt off at Groundhog Day once and — sorry Punxsutawney — it was not worth it.
Mike Newall
See this is where we differ — I celebrate Groundhog Day at this bar in the NE that honors the day (and this was a big family tradition of mine growing up).
Jason Nark
Still, if everyone else is going and you’re bowing out, you’ll catch some heat.
Mike Newall
Yeah, family is everything.
My family goes to a Fordham football game every homecoming. My son like me does not appreciate the very cold weather. One year we stayed in the back of a truck and ate tacos while everyone went inside. We didn’t feel like we missed much.
Jason Nark
I get breakfast every Christmas Eve with my dad and kids at Reading Terminal Market. Afterward, we drive by his old house at K&A. Sometimes, someone will suggest an alternative, and I shoot it down.
Mike Newall
That’s a good one, Jason.
Jason Nark
Going to a game but staying in the parking lot is somewhat acceptable, particularly since they stink right now.
Another alternative is to change the tradition to a Phillies game: it’s much cheaper, the weather is better, and there are so many baseball games that no single day ever feels like life or death.
Mike Newall
Okay, maybe, go to the game, find cheap seats (people will be selling), dress warm (break out those old 90s turtlenecks, they’re so warm), spend a lot of time at the well-heated stadium bar with that family member you love and never see, create classic holiday memories you’ll carry forever, and don’t listen to the wimpy Inquirer reporter who told you stay home. Go B-I-R-D-S!!!!!
Jason Nark
That’s it, yes. I think you should go to the game. Boo the team. Crack open an $18 beer. Leave at halftime if you want, who knows. Maybe you’ll see a great game.
Mike Newall
Boom. Just make the long lost relative shell out for the beer!
Jason Nark
Go Birds!
