Christmas Memories
Noel
11-15-2007, 06:53 PM
I will always remember Christmas morning growing up... I am the oldest of three and every year on Christmas morning we kids would wake up and wake up my parents so we could go see our gifts from Santa. My dad would go downstairs first with his video camera and then we would go down youngest to oldest with mom following behind. I can still see us walking down the steps and going over to our gifts from Santa. He would always leave them out on the couch/floor for us and the gifts would be divided into our own sections. We would usually check out our gifts first and then see what goodies were left in our stockings. 
When I was a child, there was a man who sold Xmas trees just in front of my primary school. About 10 days before Xmas, my parents and I used to buy one. I remember how impatient I was, waiting for this day. And I'll never forget the odor of the tree, while we were walking back home.
When I was a child, there was a man who sold Xmas trees just in front of my primary school. About 10 days before Xmas, my parents and I used to buy one. I remember how impatient I was, waiting for this day. And I'll never forget the odor of the tree, while we were walking back home.
karanmi
03-01-2008, 09:03 PM
Childhood memories. boy where to start. I think some of the best of them were from the early 50's when my maternal Grandparents were still living. I loved going to Grandma and Grandpas . We always bundled up and went out in the snow up to our knees to look for the perfect Christmas Tree. They had over 200 acres and lots of trees. One year I was insistant on an old Cedar Tree. Grandpa and Grandma cut it down and we dragged it to the house on a big sled. We came in and Grandma fixed a huge pan of cocoa. None of the instant stuff but good old fashioned cocoa made with unpasturized millk. lots of cocoa and marshmallows on top. This old cedar tree all decorated to me was the most beautiful tree I had ever seen. I helped place all the beautiful glass ornaments on the tree after Grandpa had strung on the lights. Bubble lights galore on that old tree. To this day I love bubble lights and was so glad when they made a comeback. And then the final touch. Grandpa would lift me up to place the most beautiful angel on the most top branch of the tree. There it stood with me looking on in awe.
Grandma and my mom and I loved cookie baking day. Even my little sisters were allowed to decorate a few cookies though they ate more than they decorated.
Christmas Eve would arrive and we always stayed there. Stocking were hung on the mantlel and the cookies and milk left for Santa. Though I never could figure out how Santa would find me there he always found my sisters and I. We would be up early on Christmas Morning and would find the gifts piled high under the tree. Oh what fun we had.
One year Grandma had the whole family for Christmas and the following year we all would travel 8 miles to Grandma's sister's home. The meal they both put on. Turkey and all the trimmings, pies and all the goodies anyone could ever want.
After dinner the men always would go to the parlor and watch TV and play cards. All my cousins and I would bundle up and go sledding or out to build a snowman or two. The women would have a fun craft they would do in the kitchen. Then late evening it was sandwiches and more goodies. No one ever went home hungry.
I lost my Grandpa when I was just 10 and Grandma when I was 16. Boy those first few Christmas after just never seemed the same. My Aunt passed away just a few years ago at the age of 90 but whenever we got together we always shared the memories of all those years ago.
Grandma and my mom and I loved cookie baking day. Even my little sisters were allowed to decorate a few cookies though they ate more than they decorated.
Christmas Eve would arrive and we always stayed there. Stocking were hung on the mantlel and the cookies and milk left for Santa. Though I never could figure out how Santa would find me there he always found my sisters and I. We would be up early on Christmas Morning and would find the gifts piled high under the tree. Oh what fun we had.
One year Grandma had the whole family for Christmas and the following year we all would travel 8 miles to Grandma's sister's home. The meal they both put on. Turkey and all the trimmings, pies and all the goodies anyone could ever want.
After dinner the men always would go to the parlor and watch TV and play cards. All my cousins and I would bundle up and go sledding or out to build a snowman or two. The women would have a fun craft they would do in the kitchen. Then late evening it was sandwiches and more goodies. No one ever went home hungry.
I lost my Grandpa when I was just 10 and Grandma when I was 16. Boy those first few Christmas after just never seemed the same. My Aunt passed away just a few years ago at the age of 90 but whenever we got together we always shared the memories of all those years ago.
persimmonpudding
07-12-2008, 04:44 PM
I spent my first 5 Christmases in Germany. I remember being fascinated by the hand-crafted store displays, some animated, some not (but all were fantastic). Also, a very stern St. Nicholas on Dec 5!!! A much more jolly Santa Claus the rest of December.
I remember:
my little brother, the first few seasons he was mobile, walking up to glass balls and popping them in his hand while giggling (never let him near the shiny-brites!!!).
Santas that didn't look like they came fresh out of a dollar-store bag (not to be negative...just noticing).
Making cookies with mom...something I still do.
Decorating the tree and marveling at the finished work lit up in all its glory.
Tinsel!!!...before it was mylar...
Knee-hugger elves
Goin out in the knee-deep snow with grandpa to cut a tree.
(later) My Grandma had a couple of fake trees she used to break out...you never knew if you were getting the green one or the aluminum one...WITH COLORWHEEL! <grin> I liked it either way.
family stories
going to grandma and grandpas...grandpa was a hunter and holiday meals saw venison, wild turkey, squirrel, ham, and real stuffing...all of which I no longer eat. On the non-meat food side, we still eat baked cheese grits, all the normal sides, real cranberry relishes, pies, pies, pies, biscuits in the morning with various spreads, jams, and jellies we helper her process all summer, and more!
Coming back home for our home Christmas.
Anonymous gift-giving to non-family, strangers, buying groceries for people we didn't know, and dropping surprises on all kinds of folks...usually we secreted away, sometimes we got to watch from a distance.
I treasure them and am now trying to make pleasant memories for my Grandkids just like Grandma and Grandpa did all those years ago..
I remember:
my little brother, the first few seasons he was mobile, walking up to glass balls and popping them in his hand while giggling (never let him near the shiny-brites!!!).
Santas that didn't look like they came fresh out of a dollar-store bag (not to be negative...just noticing).
Making cookies with mom...something I still do.
Decorating the tree and marveling at the finished work lit up in all its glory.
Tinsel!!!...before it was mylar...
Knee-hugger elves
Goin out in the knee-deep snow with grandpa to cut a tree.
(later) My Grandma had a couple of fake trees she used to break out...you never knew if you were getting the green one or the aluminum one...WITH COLORWHEEL! <grin> I liked it either way.
family stories
going to grandma and grandpas...grandpa was a hunter and holiday meals saw venison, wild turkey, squirrel, ham, and real stuffing...all of which I no longer eat. On the non-meat food side, we still eat baked cheese grits, all the normal sides, real cranberry relishes, pies, pies, pies, biscuits in the morning with various spreads, jams, and jellies we helper her process all summer, and more!
Coming back home for our home Christmas.
Anonymous gift-giving to non-family, strangers, buying groceries for people we didn't know, and dropping surprises on all kinds of folks...usually we secreted away, sometimes we got to watch from a distance.
I treasure them and am now trying to make pleasant memories for my Grandkids just like Grandma and Grandpa did all those years ago..
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