What memories do you have of Christmas Day?
I grew up on a small farm near Hubbard, Texas, about 75 miles south of Dallas. My mother and her two sisters and their families always spent Christmas Day together. We opened our presents on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day was a day filled with food including turkey and dressing, candied yams, green beans, salad, and desserts of all types.
After lunch, the men frequently began to play “42”, a game using 28 dominoes. The women cleaned the kitchen and discussed the problems of the day or wondered about the actions of neighbors and friends. Then they would model their Christmas gifts. We children played with toys Santa had delivered and games such as hide and seek.
Have thinks changed? For my wife and me, spending time with our children and grandchildren are the highlights of the season. The food is still wonderful. Throughout the year, my wife buys special gifts for our grandchildren as we travel on cruises and car trips. These gifts are hidden in our home on Christmas Eve. Gifts for each grandchild are hidden in a designated room and the search begins! The fun is watching the grandkids searching for their gifts. Even though the children are now much older - some are 21 – they insist on this gift searching tradition. Being with family and attending Christmas Eve church services are the memories that I will keep.
On reflection, I don’t think that things have really changed that much. The Day reminds me of family members that are no longer here that I miss especially this Day. All in all, however, I think that today is even better than the “good old days”!
Please share your Christmas memories with other readers of this blog.
Thanks, Glyn
Good blog.
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