Holiday Stuff: Christmas Memories

With Christmas Day less than a week away I've been contemplating my memories of past holiday rituals. Perhaps I am spending too much time alone trying to catch up on house matters. Nevertheless . . . .

Anyway, I wanted to share my favorite memory with you all and invite you to take a few moments to share your favorite with the rest of us as well, if you're willing. And to make this "California-related," this memory of mine is my last Christmas before moving to California.

So, here's mine:

It remains such a vivid Holiday memory for me, the magic of my 5th Christmas Eve, 1952, the first with my maternal grandparents and the rest of her family in Florida. We lived in Detroit, Michigan, at the time and my father, a mechanical engineer, had been transferred by Massey (Harris) Ferguson to California. We were planning that move within several months.

After the evening meal we encircled the piano to sing carols. Grandfather had planted a small evergreen tree branch in a pail of soil in preparation for the magic he promised. Our voices were the means by which the magic would unfold, so we sang with all our hearts. Suddenly a squeal through the small crowd of children! We spun around to see what had caused such delight. The little branch had grown unseen, clearly having done exactly what grandfather told us it would; magically grow to our voices. There were similar squeals of delight throughout the evening as he repeatedly “grew” that branch.

A sound sleep was the last task which promised the final magic, according to grandfather. And magic is what we awoke to Christmas morning, a fully-decorated Christmas tree atop a mound of presents for twelve. Imagine the noise!

That was my last visit with my British immigrant grandfather before his passing not many years later. But that memory has been with me during the every Holiday since.

Happy Holidays to all!

Linda and The MopTops

I immediately thought of a funny one. My sister, our mom, and me - playing with the toys for my nephews before we wrapped them up. We had to test them, you know!

Merry Christmas and a very peaceful and happy holiday season to all.

Kathleen

Here is a Christmas Memory I'd like to share.

My DH and I have a Choose -n- Cut Christmas Tree Farm. We also have a seasonal Pumpkin Patch. The year that the book Harry Potter became popular, a crafty friend of mine made several "Magic Wands" to sell at our little gift store.
One day a mother and daughter walked into the store. I ascertained what they were shopping for, and showed them where to find the wands. The daughter was painfully shy, so I turned my attention away from her.
She was so funny, she carefully selected a wand, considerately took it out to the door of the store and waved it around. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, when she stated, "Mom, it doesn't do anything!".
I was called away, but upon my return, I found this young girl running around the farm, waving her "Magic Wand" and declaring in a chiming voice, "Bless you, doggie, Bless you Tree, Bless you Birdie, and God Bless Me!", as she skipped and danced all over the place.
Seems her mother (a wise woman), told her daughter, that she was the "Magic" and the wand just directed it where she wanted it.
Not only did she put a smile on my tired face, but she brought me a bit of "Magic" that day.

Wishing you a Holiday Season full of Light, Love and Laughter!
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

Another very precious Christmas Memory is one of the Christmas when my two boys were three and two years old. They got up early and opened only their own presents. I guess they could read their own names (that's what they said, anyway). I suspect the elder helped the younger. : )
I was just sorry I didn't get to see the looks on their faces when they opened their gifts! : (
When I asked why they didn't wake us up they said they were just too excited and didn't think it necessary since they knew which presents were for them.
Kids! You got to love 'em! : )
Merry HO HO!
WIB!
SW

We are big HP fans here (one of our paths is called Diagon Alley) and I love how the mother explained the use of the wand. What a wise woman, indeed.
Now I have a big smile, too!

Yup, that was an awesome explanation, wasn't it? Wise indeed! A great memory to share, SW.

And you sure did raise some brazen tikes, SW. I can't even imagine pulling something like that on my parents! Can't even! {chuckling}

And Kathleen, it was quite appropriate to test out those toys. I mean, what if there was something that wasn't working properly? You'd have to take it back and exchange it before the big day, wouldn't you?!?! LOL

Linda

I guess mine would be the last Christmas with my brother, not so much the gifts as the time spent together, knowing there weren't going to be many more ALL together.....

so enjoy everyone in your life and have a Happy holiday and blessed new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good thoughts to carry with us every day, makj. I know you must miss your brother a lot. I miss my Dad something terrible, but it's not as bad since he left a part of himself here at DG. Dad would want us to enjoy the Christmas Holiday with Lights, Love & Laughter!
Twincol, I was very impressed with her Mother myself. Remember, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and I avoided the situation. Also, my eldest (the red headed child) is terribly precocious, he started walking in his sixth month and arguing in his 8th.... He leads the way, and his brother patches him up! I certainly raised some independent kids! LOL! : )
KC, you absolutely had to make sure the toys were properly assembled and in good working order. : )
I'm glad the story made you smile too! : )
Something about kids makes the Holiday Season magical, but that child, on that day made me appreciate all of my many blessings so much more.
If I can find it, I will share a memory a child sent in to the National Christmas Tree Essay contest about a visit to our farm. It was very sweet.
WIB,
SW