Thinking back on our favorite holidays, the memories that are most precious to us may just be those fam
ily traditions that were the most simple. Even though our cherished routines seem mundane, we did them with our families, and everyone was on their best holiday behavior. Doing things with our family was that part of the holidays that spoke to our hearts and helped us feel that wonderful spirit of Christmas.
We’ve scoured the Internet and our own memories and come up with a short list of timeless traditions that many of us still follow today.
Decorating the Tree
Whether we traipsed through the woods or a lot to find the perfect tree, or took it out of a box, setting the tree in place was a key first step in the process of decorating. Remember unpacking each precious ornament that we made at school out of pieces of construction paper and glitter? One of my favorite ornaments is one made into a reindeer out of a bone-shaped dog treat and plastic googly eyes! Stringing lights, strategically placing each ornament for the maximum effect, balancing the look according to Mom’s instructions, and adding the tree topper was definitely a family project. The tree topper was the official signal that we’d accomplished our task. While some tree toppers were traditional stars and angels, some were unique to our own family. And the best part? Turning out the lights and turning on the tree lights. And if we were very lucky, our tree was large and right in front of a picture window so everyone could see it as they drove by the house.
Listening to Christmas Carols
No holiday is complete without the sounds of Christmas. Whether we listen in our car, at work or at home, nothing gets us in the mood better than the old songs we grew up hearing. Some of our most favorite Christmas tunes:
- The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
- Have a Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
- Let it Snow - Dean Martin
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
- White Christmas - Bing Crosby
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
Watching Christmas Shows on TV
Let’s admit it now, watching It’s a Wonderful Life is the official Christmas starter. My favorites are the claymation specials from the 60s, Rudolph and Drummer Boy. Good or bad, old or new, we all love our favorites:
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- Shrek the Halls
- Miracle on 34th Street
- The Polar Express
- A Christmas Carol
- The Santa Clause
- Little Drummer Boy
Driving Around Looking at Christmas Lights
Nothing says Christmas like a perfectly garish Christmas light display in some nameless stranger’s front lawn. Let’s face it, we look for the best ones every year and we offer up our critiques like Christmas connoisseurs. If we are lucky enough to have young children along for the ride as we troll the neighborhoods and Christmas light display extravaganzas, we enjoy it even more. One of my childhood friend’s family polished their ritual like a precious gem. They’d all put on their pajamas, make a thermos of hot chocolate, load the car with pillows and blankets and head out for a few hours, seeking out the perfect display. The best ones included a nativity, reindeer, snowmen and Santa on the roof! Today, great inflatable snow globes and Santa Homer Simpsons may make us groan, but we honor the freedom we have to choose our own symbols of Christmas in front of our homes.
Christmas Stockings
Whether hung on the chimney with care, hung in the tree or placed strategically under the tree, the Christmas stocking is a treasure. Especially once they are filled with goodies and tiny gifts! Our family had to have larger stockings because they would be magically filled with unshelled nuts, candy canes, chocolate, an orange and an apple and at least one tiny gift. We enjoyed our treats well into the New Year!
Whatever your traditions, we wish you a very Merry Christmas this year!
Copyright 2009. MyFlorist.