When I was growing up Christmas was always at my Grandma Mimi's house and it was done to the nines! On Christmas Eve we would have a fire in the fireplace, make cookies from scratch, decorate them, make all kinds of yummy goodies, go to church and listen to an amazing man sing Silent Night, then head off to The Young's for a fun gathering (The Young's are my Mom's childhood friends Mr. and Mrs Young had 8 kids in 10 years!!!!!!) When we got home we would write our notes to Santa on a tissue paper and send it up in the fireplace to the North Pole. It was so magical as a child because the fire didn't burn the paper it actually carried it up the fireplace. Then we would set out carrots for the reindeer's, cookies and Milk for Santa, watch old movies, sing Christmas Carols, listen to my Grandma play the piano, and finally head off to bed, the anticipation just about killed me every year. Sometimes my Aunt would even jingle the sleigh bells and ask us if we heard Santa fly by, it was soo fun.
Finally the morning arrived, I remember it like it was yesterday, my cousin and I would wake up and there would be a sheet over the entry way to the living room where the tree was, we were FORCED to eat breakfast first... There was no rushing to get to the gifts, you had to eat, and this took a while since again, everything was made from scratch so it had to bake, or cook, or fry or whatever, :) but it was a llllooong time to wait when you were 7. Once that was all said and done, one of the adults would ever so carefully remove the sheet and we had to walk out patiently no running (even though I knew I could have ran up and down the walls I was so amped) the sight was always magnificent! The tree decorated beautifully, stocking nice and plump, presents from family, and from Santa (He always used different wrapping paper), I basked in its glory. Finally time to open the gifts. Now let me just say the way in which we opened presents was someone was "Santa" and would hand someone one gift to open and then it was another persons turn to open their gift, there was no rushing, tearing gifts open one after another, no frenzy. Def. something I didn't understand at 7. We were also taught how to be gracious for anything we received, no matter what it was you thanked whomever gave it to you got up and gave them a hug. After the presents were opened we would check out or stockings, there was always a tangerine and gold chocolate coins, and lots of other goodies but those were my favorites.
I still have that stocking my my mom made with my name stitched into it. ---Sorry having technical difficulties uploading the photo---
I love the memories I have of this time of the year and wouldn't trade them for anything, but now with a family of my own its time to make new memories.
Next Post...........Christmas Now.....
Such a good walk down (your) memory lane. I think its just as much fun creating them for your own kids, can't wait to see what you guys come up with.
ReplyDeleteLove reading about your precious family memories! I'm struggling with how to make my own family traditions this year. I guess I'm not ready to grow up yet :)
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