Remembering Family Christmas

Christmas

by Oskaloosa News Staff Member

And here we are, in the midst of the Christmas festivities. It seems that every year Christmas comes faster & becomes busier. Kids’ school programs, Church services, Christmas parties, shopping, baking, and the list goes on and on.

I have enjoyed visiting with family and friends, learning of the traditions they carry on from year-to-year.

It usually all starts with when to put up the Christmas tree and decorations. Many choose to decorate right after Thanksgiving. There a select few who decorate before Thanksgiving or when the 1st snow falls. One family puts up their tree 12 days before Christmas and brings the gifts out on Christmas Eve.

Then there are the family gatherings. One family gathers Christmas Eve for a soup supper and gift exchange, and on Christmas Day they open their home to anyone who doesn’t have anywhere to go.

Another family spends Christmas Day together, from mid morning until they go home in late evening. A pot luck dinner is served followed by a white elephant gift exchange, while the rest of the day is spent visiting and nibbling on the “munchies” that are out all day.

With one family, the Grandma, aunts, and cousins get together just after Thanksgiving, spending Saturday & Sunday baking for the holidays.

Some families have family Christmas gatherings every weekend from the 1st of December through New Year’s .

Food plays a big part of traditions. There is everything from a full blown turkey & ham dinner, to a soup supper, to a potluck; everyone has their favorites. One family has a formal sit down Christmas Eve supper of ham, potatoes, corn, and rolls, followed by church services. Another family enjoys “Grandma’s chicken soup” with sandwiches for Christmas Eve. And Aunt Sylivia’s butterscotch pie is always a hit! Fudge, sugar cookies, and cinnamon popcorn are all popular with another family.

Another family has the tradition of a soup supper on Christmas Eve, followed by cleaning up. Then the family gathers around the Christmas tree while The Christmas Story is read from the Bible. That is followed by prayer, then gifts are exchanged, and finally family pictures are taken.

I hope that you have a special tradition that you will pass on to the next generation. And that you stop and enjoy the Christmas Season.