Holiday Traditions: Memories of Family Christmases

Holiday Traditions: Memories of Family Christmases Growing up

Holidays growing up were always a big event, especially Christmas, which was the highlight of the year for our family. The season was filled with traditions, joy, and togetherness, creating memories that I cherish to this day.

Every Christmas Eve, our family would gather at Momsie's and Popsie's house for dinner. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement, with delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen and the house beautifully decorated for the holiday. After dinner, we would all come together to sing Christmas carols, hoping to catch Santa's attention.

Without fail, Santa would make his grand entrance. Some years, he tried to add a bit of humor by pretending to come off the roof. I vividly remember one year when Santa slipped and fell into a pool of icy water, giving us all a good laugh. Despite the mishaps, he always had one gift for each grandkid. We would gather around him, eagerly waiting for our names to be called. Once a name was called, we would chant excitedly, and the lucky child would sit on Santa's lap to receive their gift.

Santa was my dad for many years growing up, and he played the role perfectly, adding to the magic and excitement of the evening.

After a fun-filled evening at Momsie's and Popsie's, we would head home, our hearts and minds brimming with holiday cheer. One year, we managed to convince our parents to let us open one of Grandma's presents or a gift from our cousins, the Randalls. That present would then hold our spot for the next morning's festivities and continuedas a tradition each year after that.

When it was time for bed, the girls would all sleep in one room, and the boys in another. As we got older, Nick and I often found ourselves kicked out of the room for being too noisy. But no matter what, the excitement for the morning ahead was palpable.

Christmas morning came bright and early. We would wake up filled with excitement and rush to the end of the hallway, where we had to wait before being allowed to open presents. Some years, our parents made us wait until a certain time, so we would sit there, guessing which present belonged to whom. The anticipation was almost unbearable, but it added to the magic of the morning.

When the time finally came, the unwrapping began in a whirlwind of wrapping paper, laughter, and joy. Each gift was a treasure, and the smiles and hugs shared among us made the holiday truly special.

After we opened presents, we hurried and got ready to go back to Momsie's and Popsie's for the best Popsie breakfast and more presents. If you've never had the privilege of experiencing a Popsie breakfast, it was a feast filled with sausage, bacon, hashbrowns, toast, scrambled eggs, and even fried eggs made to order. I can still smell it today—the sizzling bacon and the comforting aroma of breakfast cooking, a scent that brings back such warmth and nostalgia.

After breakfast, we would open presents from each aunt and from Momsie and Popsie. The room was filled with laughter, joy, and the rustling of wrapping paper as we shared the excitement of the holiday.

Once breakfast was done, we would head home for a little nap or to play with our new toys before returning to Momsie's and Popsie's. Dinner would usually be ham with funeral potatoes. We would then spend the rest of the evening playing with the cousins while the adults talked.

These holiday traditions, from the magical visits from Santa at Momsie's and Popsie's to the shared excitement of Christmas morning and the delicious Popsie breakfasts, have left an indelible mark on my heart. They were more than just events; they were moments of connection, love, and family unity. As I reflect on these cherished memories, I am filled with gratitude for the joy and warmth that our holiday traditions brought to my childhood.