Lovina Eicher Celebrates Christmas with Family Traditions and Recipes

Christmas 2025 approaches quickly, bringing joy to families across the globe. In Lovina Eicher’s household, the holiday is marked by gatherings, traditional meals, and cherished memories. Eicher, a voice of the Old Order Amish community, reflects on the importance of family and faith during this festive season.

On December 22, Eicher celebrated her husband Joe’s 57th birthday. Although he needed to work on his special day, the family found time to celebrate together. Eicher prepared Christmas cookies decorated for Joe to share with his coworkers. Their youngest granddaughter, 3-year-old Andrea, brought a smile to the family by referring to her brother Timothy’s birthday candles as “the blessings that TJ will blow out.”

Eicher recounted attending a Christmas program at her local school, where eight of her 15 grandchildren participated. The joy on their faces when they spotted their grandparents was a reminder of how quickly time passes. “It doesn’t seem that long ago when it was our children in the program,” Eicher remarked.

Significant family activities this season included butchering two pigs, providing both meat for her family and for her son Daniel Ray and his wife Verena. Eicher noted that many of their married children and Daniel Ray’s parents assisted with the process. The butchering culminated in the preparation of tenderloin, pork loin, pork steaks, ham, and bacon, as well as sausage, some of which was canned while the majority was frozen for future meals.

The community spirit shone through during a recent wedding attended by Eicher and Joe. They celebrated the marriage of their neighbor’s son, Phillip, and his bride, Sara Sue, despite the cold winds and snowy conditions. The ceremony took place under a tent equipped with heaters, but guests were grateful to move indoors for the reception to enjoy a warm meal.

Earlier in the week, Eicher and her husband were invited to a Christmas dinner hosted by neighbors David and Barbara. The evening included a meal for older couples, widows, and widowers from the surrounding church districts. Guests enjoyed a delightful dinner followed by younger couples performing Christmas songs, creating a festive atmosphere that lingered well into the night, with many leaving with plates of leftovers.

Eicher’s church recently held its annual Christmas potluck dinner, where community members gathered to share food and fellowship. The event included singing Christmas carols, which brought delight to attendees, including four-month-old Brooklyn, who seemed uncertain about the traditional German songs. In another heartwarming moment, Eicher shared that her granddaughter Kylie, who will celebrate her first birthday on January 4, 2026, is beginning to take her first steps, much to the excitement of her older brothers.

As the year comes to a close, Eicher reflects on the changing seasons, noting that the snow is nearly gone, save for the piles lining the driveway. She expressed acceptance of whatever weather may come, a sentiment rooted in her faith.

Eicher also shared her recipe for Sour Cream Cutout Cookies, a favorite among her family. This easy-to-handle dough can be prepared ahead of time, allowing for baking and decorating when convenient.

The recipe is as follows:

– 2 cups sugar
– 3 eggs
– 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
– 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
– 1 cup sour cream
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 2 teaspoons baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 2 teaspoons vanilla
– 5 to 6 cups flour

Combine the sugar, butter, and shortening, then add the eggs and sour cream and mix well. Incorporate the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla into the creamed mixture. Gradually add the flour, refrigerating the dough for several hours or overnight. Roll out on a floured board and cut into desired shapes. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. Decorate with frosting of choice.

Eicher concludes her reflections with warm wishes for a blessed Christmas and a joyful new year, extending her heartfelt thoughts to those enduring loss during this season.

From her kitchen to yours, she emphasizes the importance of family and faith, wishing everyone peace and comfort as they celebrate the holidays.

Lovina Eicher is an accomplished writer and cook, authoring three cookbooks, including “The Cherished Table” and “The Essential Amish Cookbook.” Readers can reach out to her through traditional mail or email, though she does not personally respond to emails.