Christmas Traditions

Published 10:33 am Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Christmas traditions, both old and new ones, are extraordinary. As a little girl, I remember we would have to wait until Christmas morning to open the presents. My mom always ensured each of us had a small gift in our stockings. Then, all my family would come to our house for Christmas Day lunch. My mom and dad worked tirelessly in the kitchen all day on Christmas Eve. But before that, my dad would spend days preparing his fruitcake. He made one every Christmas. Many people said his fruitcake was the best they ever had. I never had a taste for fruitcake, but I enjoyed helping him with it. So, many different kinds of nuts to shell.

As we kids got older, we began to take on more responsibilities with preparing the meal. We started visiting our extended family on Christmas Eve. And it was just us kids and our kids for Christmas Day at my parents. Later, my mom had a stroke, and even though it was mild, shopping was hard on her. So, she would give me money and tell me what she wanted to buy daddy. And I would go to the store and get it for her. But she always wanted to wrap it. My dad, however, would go shopping and sneak her presents in. He loved surprising her.

When my son, Dakota, was little, we would leave out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Then, we would wake early to check if Santa had eaten the cookies and drank the milk. And to see what Santa left him. Like my mom, I took on the role of making sure everyone had a little something in their stockings. Then, we would go to my mom and dad’s house for Christmas lunch.

Now with my new little family, we will open gifts on Christmas Eve morning. Because my stepson Eli will spend Christmas Day with his mom. We will still leave milk and cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve and awake early to check. Then, my family will come to my house for Christmas Day lunch. We don’t exchange gifts anymore. Just get them for the kids. We have great food, fun playing games, and memorable moments together.

As you can see, my Christmas traditions have changed throughout the years, but each is still special to me. So, what are some of your Christmas traditions? I bet they are just as wonderful. Whatever they are, I hope you make sure you have room for Jesus in all of your celebrations. He is the best gift of them all and is indeed the reason why we celebrate this time of year.