When I think back on childhood Christmas memories, it is really the Christmas traditions that stand out the most.
From the Christmas Eve reading of the Christmas Story to the favorite Christmas dishes that mom prepared for the Christmas meal, it was really the traditions that made it special.
We'd wake up on Christmas morning, very, very early, and see what gifts we had received! After mom and dad would get up, we'd open the wrapped presents.
It was tradition in our house for the gifts to be opened, one at a time, youngest kid to the oldest....until they were all opened.
In the afternoon we'd visit the homes of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents etc. They'd also come visit us.
Some Christmas traditions necessarily changed, once I grew up, married and moved away. We weren't always close enough to "go home" for Christmas, but we (my wife and kids) observed a hybrid of Christmas tradition, those that I enjoyed as a kids, those from my wife's childhood, and new traditions that we came up with on our own.
It all has worked out wonderfully.
Once such tradition is that our kids open only one gift on Christmas Eve. They know before they even open their gifts what it will be....brand new pajamas! In the early years I can recall thinking how anti-climatic (and yes lame) this "tradition" would be. My wife came up with this one.
But now....from our kids' perspectives, it would not be Christmas Eve without getting new pajamas. Not only do the kids enjoy hopping into bed, with those brand new pajamas, but as parents we like it because we know that a lot of pictures will be taken, of the kids, come Christmas morning. New pajamas make the pictures much better.
When I think back on Christmas tradition as a child, it is hard to discount the role that Christmas songs played. Certain Christmas songs bring back the memories more than anything else.
I'm sure you have some Christmas music that is more special than others too?
As a child I can distinctly remember laying on my back staring up at the Christmas tree, in my pajamas. Nearby, the fireplace ... beautiful and mesmerizing and in the background ... The Andy Williams Christmas Album!
My parents had three vinyl records that we must have literally worn out. I loved listening to them. They were The Andy Williams Christmas Album, Christmas with Chet Atkins and The Gene Autry Christmas album. As an adult, I spent several years looking those three.
Before the Internet, it was hard finding old Christmas albums. We are spoiled now with sites like Itunes.com.
Eventually I found them. I actually found Andy Williams first. It was in a bargain Christmas cassette bin at Sears.
I found it just before a long drive home for Christmas from Texas to Oregon. That was a great memory in and of itself. Driving through the snowy Rocky Mountains listening to Christmas songs from my childhood...what fun!
Eventually I found all of these on CD or Itunes. We get them out every year. My oldest son is only 19, but I'll be curious to see if he and the other kids seek out certain Christmas music from their youth.
Return to Family Tradition Ideas Page
Please Share This Page with Your Friends on Facebook
What do you remember the most from Christmas (Hanukkah) as a child? Was it the music, the food, a special gift, Christmas traditions, family gatherings or something else?
Please share a special memory with the rest of us!
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Reading of the Christmas Stories
G osh, many of my family's traditions sound very similar to yours, Michael, including the new Christmas pajamas, one that my daughters and I started in …
The Christmas I Lost Charlie Brown...
I was six or seven years old. Do youremember those old color forms? They are little plastic cutouts that you lick and stick on the background that is provided? …
Our Silver Christmas Tree
One of my earliest Christmas recollections is that of our aluminum Christmas tree. It looked very close to the picture included here.
It came complete …
My Most Vivid Christmas Memories are of a Trite Nature Not rated yet
Sadly enough, my most vivid Christmas memories are of a trite nature. The true Christmas spirit they harp on about in TV movies? Never came across it. …
Childhood Christmas Memories in Transsylvania Not rated yet
Country Christmas Theater. When I was a kid, here in Transsylvania, I used to go with other boys like me and play from house to house the religious drama …
Our Two Most Important Christmas Traditions Not rated yet
The two biggest Christmas traditions my family has had are decorating the Christmas tree, and putting up the Christmas Lights.
The first tradition …
Christmas Celebrations in Cuba: Noche Buena! Not rated yet
The Christmas celebrations in Cuba were very similar to those in the United States. On Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) the families would gather together and …
Childhood Christmas Memories of Helping The Less Fortunate Not rated yet
One of my favorite holiday memories was shopping for kids on our church’s mitten tree. We would go a month before Christmas and each pick out mitten for …
Christmas Tradition Not rated yet
I remember a Christmas Tradition as a small Child that was put in place by my grandparents. It has remained a tradition over the years even as they …
Christmas Memories and Elvis Music Not rated yet
Christmas memories just wouldn’t be the same without Elvis.
My mother says she doesn’t know why, or how, a child born in 1969 could be such a fan. …
The Christmas Traditions of a Polish Family in Canada Not rated yet
My family is unique, and we like to do things our own way, especially around the holiday season. We all have a Polish background, and we all live in Canada, …
Christmas in Guatemala - Posadas Not rated yet
Christmas in Guatemala is really a fantastic time. We are American expats living in Guatemala for a few years now, and enjoy the more religious aspect …
One of Our Favorite Christmas Traditions Not rated yet
One of our favorite Christmas Traditions is to write down the main events in our family history from the previous year.
We make sure to include Baptisms, …
How to Enjoy Christmas! Not rated yet
We always celebrate Christmas, like many people, with a big roast dinner. As my mum was a vegetarian, we always cook a nut roast (as well as organic, free-range …
Christmas tree. Not rated yet
Every year my dad and his friend would go out to the woods in Colorado Springs where I lived for 10 years, and they would bring back the biggest trees …
Christmas Tradition - Christmas Nativity Celebration Not rated yet
Our family recently added a new Christmas tradition, that being attending an annual community Christmas nativity display and celebration.
The first …
|
Did you ever have a silver Christmas tree like this one?
1001 Things about Your Life That Your Kids Will Want to Know Someday, but Won't Think to Ask.
Download it and Start Filling in the Blanks!
Apr 13, 16 03:35 AM
Dec 31, 15 03:59 AM
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.