More Personal Christmas Traditions from Christmas Corner

Sandie's Personal Christmas Traditions

I began two new Christmas traditions once my husband and I became grandparents. The first concerned our grandchildren, while the second involved their parents (my sons and their wives).

I will explain the parents' Christmas "presents" first. Knowing that there was not really anything that we could give them that they really "needed", that they "couldn't live without", except a million dollars, of course, I came up with a gift from my heart and my hands. I decided that each year for Christmas, I would cook themcomplete meals; entrees, desserts, breakfasts, breads, beverages, cakes, cooies, candies, snacks, etc. and freeze them in portion sizes. Then, when they came in from a long day at work, and had no time or idea what to cook, all they had to do was open their freezer and voila there was a meal all prepared and ready to Heat and Eat! Of course, this was all a complete surprise to them. They could not believe I had put so much time and effort, not to mention LOVE, into their gifts. I filled a fifty-quart ice chest completely full for each of them that Christmas. Not to mention the food that was frozen!!! I have to say that was the best Christmas hugs and kisses received ever. I was asked if I would like to "adopt" a lot of their relatives when they heard what their "mother-in-law" had given them for Christmas. Needless to say, this is one tradition that they do NOT want to see go away any time soon. They wrote their wish list to "Santa" for the next year well in advance and put in their request for certain "repeats" just in case Santa needed to know what they absolutely LOVED and wanted.

Now, for the grandchildrens' Christmas tradition. We now have three grandchilden. I wanted something that they would be able to remember and maybe pass on the same tradition to their children and/or grandchildren. I decided that each year I would purchase an ornament for each child that would represent something important to each of them (the year they were born, a favorite cartoon character, a sport they liked, etc.) and they would also have their own "special" tree to hang them on. Each ornament would be dated (on the back) with the year it was purchased so they could see he progression of their lives. When they reached an age that they could choose their own ornaments, then we would go together and purchase their ornament, and each year we would all gather together to decorate "their" tree. Of course, their Mommy's and me would decorate the rest of the trree until they are grown and able to reach the taller branches. Then when each one marries, the ornaments that belong to them will be given to them as a gift for their very first Christmas together.

I hope that these two Christmas traditions will mean as much to our children and grandchildren as they do to Freddy and me. And maybe they will inspire one of you to try and do something special for your family to keep Christmas special and meaningful as it should.

May God Bless You,

Sandie

Tara's Personal Christmas Tradition

We bake an angel food cake for Jesus. After breakfast, we light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to him. This started with my father in law's family.

Pam's Personal Christmas Traditions

Here are two of our traditions. First, every year we make rock candy. My mom has been making it since we were little. I like that my kids can help me with it. They like picking the next flavor I will do. I also love how it makes the whole house smell so good.

Second, each grandchild or child reads a part of the Christmas story. The youngest child then puts Baby Jesus in the manger. One year when it was my nephew's turn, instead of placing the Baby Jesus in the manger he popped Him into his mouth! LOL! We were all yelling "Don't eat Him!" It was so funny! Then we have a Red Velvet Happy Birthday Jesus Cake.

Gayla's Family Christmas Tradition

The following was written about one of my families traditions that began back in 1967 when my older brother was just a toddler and I was only a few months old.

Tony was a baby when my parents were told he had an incurable kidney disease and could not be exposed to others, especially throughout the winter months for fear of becoming infected with any type of germ that could make him sick.

As Tony grew older he was so sad at the fact that he could not be among the children in his small community that went to see Santa at the local Fire Department with their Christmas list in hand and who walked away with a bag full of holiday treats.

When Tony was three years old Santa came to see him riding on a fire truck, with the siren screaming and could be heard throughout the small town. What a thrill it was for him. Although Tony wanted so much to see Santa - he ran to the stairs peering through the banister in amazement.

"Well young man come down and let me see you" said Santa. "I can see you" replied Tony with eyes as wide as saucers. Santa climbed the stairs; and there they sat the two of them having a marvelous visit.

After their little chat Santa stood to leave and Tony eased down the stairs with a smile that lit the room "you are a good boy" Santa said with smile and gave him a hug "I will be watching you until I return on Christmas Eve, be a good boy".

After Santa had gone Tony noticed that an Elf had come to sit on a branch in his Christmas tree. "Mommy look, Santa left an Elf," "well I think that he left him to watch over you until Christmas", Mom responded.

The next morning when Tony woke, a note along with a small Christmas sock were left under the tree for Tony instructing him that when he had a good day there would be a surprise in the tiny sock each morning, if his day happened to be a bad one, the sock would be empty or worse, have a dirty rock in it.

The elf would move around the room watching over Tony. Elf might appear on top of the curtain, lamp, or pictures moving at will throughout the night. This was exciting for Tony although he never actually saw the elf move, he believed in his ability to fly while everyone was sleeping.

Santa had given strict instructions that Elf should never be touched or he would disappear never return. If Santa's instructions were followed, each year on Thanksgiving night Tony was to ring a jingle bell that was tied with a red ribbon, just before going to bed and Elf would return for another Christmas Season.

Tony is no longer here, he passed away at the age of 13 but Elf was passed on to me, Tony's little sister then on to my little brother Josh who enjoyed Elf’s annual visits for many years.

At present day - Elf has been passed on to Trey and Coty (twelve-year-old twins), who now know Elf is not real, but still believe in the magic that he brings with him each year when we place him in our family Christmas Tree.

We've often created Elf Kits for close friends and family - included in a beautiful Christmas tin is a letter from Santa telling the history of Elf, a letter to the parents instructing them on how the Christmas magic works, a jingle bell tied with a red ribbon, a small Christmas stocking (one for each child) and Himself the Elf. It's been a wonderful gift that we've been able to share and a tradition we're proud to pass on. It's a way of keeping Tony alive in all of us.

Whenever we can, we share the tales of Elf with classmates, friends and anyone who truly believes in the wonderful magic this holiday season brings.

A Special Ornament

Every Christmas my husband's family passes around a "special" ornament. It's always a surprise as to which person will receive the ornament. It is accompanied by a set of rules that read as follows:
1.) The ornament must stay on my husband's side of the family.
2.) You must be 16 or older to receive the ornament.
3.) The ornament can not be given to the person who gave it to you.
4.) The ornament must be displayed in your home during the holiday season.
5.) The recipient of the ornament will decide how we spend Christmas the following year regarding gift-giving and place.

We have been doing this for five years now and some of our Christmases have included a trip to a NFL game, camping, skiing, etc. Loads of fun!

Becca Brown
Springfield, MO

Colorized Gifts

I have three children who love to guess their gifts every year and as they get older it gets harder and harder. Well a few years back we started this tradition that we all love and it makes the gift unveiling longer... ( which is the best part to the kids). We no longer put names on the gifts. We give a color to each kid and they have no idea which one is their color until Christmas morning. So all their presents are all in that same based color. Also we make them take turns opening the gifts now. ... I love it. It seems to stretch out that time we all love a little more....

Amy Buchanan, NC

One More Gift

We all look forward to the awesome time of opening gifts on Christmas morning. However, after the wrapping paper is gathered up there is a lull in the air. So, we devised a way to keep the feeling of Christmas morning spread out all day long. Tucked in our stockings is a small gift which comes out and rests on each person's dinner plate. The anticipation to open one more gift at dinner time keeps everyone in the Christmas mood all day long. The little packages also decorate the table.

We purchase or make a gift for any visitors coming to join us as well. We have found the gifts most appreciated are movie tickets, dvds or cds, small jewelry, lottery tickets, calendars, movie rental gift cards, and gift certificates from any store. We also make sure the gift on each plate is decorated more beautifully than any other. It is a wonderful tradition our family has come to enjoy. You can also switch the special gift to be given on Christmas Eve instead.

Tammy Marsh, Okinawa Japan

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Old But Perfect

When we were young and single, my sisters and I would gather at my mothers house for Christmas Eve and morning. One year it had been one expense for me after another. I had very little money for presents so I went shopping at a local Goodwill Store. I found a few nice almost new gifts. For one of my sisters I found a fluffy, long blue bathrobe. I took it home and fixed it up so nicely--new buttons, I cut off all the pulls, and wrapped it with care!

I would love to say that it was the most perfect present-- but it wasn't. On Christmas morning she opened the bathrobe and was so upset that I had gotten her a used present that she took back the present she gave me, started a big fight and my mother was so mad at us that she threw the Christmas tree out the front door. I couldn't believe how shallow and greedy she was. What a mess! It took the better part of the next year to mend all the hurt feelings.

We agreed that the next year we would start a new tradition to buy something "old" but the perfect present for each other. Even though we can afford nicer presents, we still hold on to this tradition.

PatJonSamJack

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