Christmas time traditions

Christmas holds many traditions in our family. I love traditions and hope that I am making some for my family that they will pass on to their children as they make traditions of their own. While growing up we put the tree up on mom's birthday, Dec. 11. I liked that because it wasn't to early and still time to enjoy. Another thing we did was bake!! Dad would make Grandma Bilgrens frying pan fudge, popcorn balls, and pumpkin pie. We also made turtle cookies ( these were made all year) We would open one present on Christmas Eve, usually one by our grandparents or Jo and Gary. On Christmas day we could open our stockings but weren't allowed to touch the presents until mom and dad got up. When they were up dad would hand out the presents to each of us and we would open them one at a time. I liked this tradition and have passed it down to my family. I think it beats just ripping into the presents. Its taking the time to see what was given. Another tradition we had was driving around town to see the Christmas lights. One of my favorite parts of town was when one neighborhood would put up all the luminaries. It was beautiful. Card playing has always been a big tradition in our family, and not just at the holidays. Many a times I had friends that I would invite to a card party and they would ask if my dad was going to be there, because if he wasn't they didn't want to come! LOL We played spoons one night and almost threw someone down the basement stairs (thus making a rule that the door to the basement must stay closed at all times during card games. hehe) and we started mom's remodeling of the dining room by putting a hole in the wall. We just really wanted to help her out, get her a good start! Coal and nuts received meant that you were not very nice that year. One year while in California for Christmas dad got a bunch of nuts and I think it was MaryEllen that asked if dad was bad!! But somehow nuts and oranges always made it into our stockings, I don't recall when receiving nuts became a good thing!!!

Christmases weren't always without their rocky starts or ends. It was harder as we got older wanting to be more with friends. How little we valued our family, thank goodness we have grown and recognized the value in them. As I started to have my family I realized that there are a lot of stresses involved in Christmas. From the extra money needed for gifts and parties, lack of work due to the weather, long distances from family etc. etc. I wanted and needed to be free of these stresses. That is kinda hard to do, and often I would feel like my family was missing out because of a choice I had made. I can say that not all my choices have been the best, but I know I am trying and I know my kids know I am trying to teach them that Christmas is not about all the hoop-a-la, presents, santa, etc. etc. but it is about our Savior, Jesus Christ and His birth. Our older Brother and what gifts he has given to us, what we can share with others. As this Christmas season approaches I hope that one tradition my kids will remember is that they feel the love of their Savior and Heavenly Father. That they will remember His birth and draw closer to Him, and emulate Him in their lives. That not only they take the time now to remember and reflect but that all the time is the time to remember. To emulate Him throughout the year throughout their lives. In the midst of everything there is hope, love and joy through Him our Savior Jesus Christ.