Welcome to our newest feature, Journey through Christmases Past. This series is a nostalgic celebration of the holidays we all remember...
- The history and traditions of the holiday.
- The décor that filled our homes.
- The toys that defined each decade.
- The television and movie shows that brightened the season.
- The outfits we adored (and the ones we definitely didn’t).
Happy Sunday! Well, at least for a little while more. We are 250 days away from Christmas! Doesn't it seem like we just celebrated?
This week, as we journey through Christmases from the past, I thought it might be interesting to talk about traditions.
When 4RV Publishing released the second edition of my book, A Christmas Kindness, we added material for readers, including Christmas traditions from around the world. Readers can learn about:
- Letters that children in the United Kingdom write to Father Christmas.
- The Christmas Eve party in Argentina with large dinners, fireworks, and special lit balloons floating through the air.
- Children in Greece traveling from house to house singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve.
Growing up, we always knew Christmas was coming when my mother pulled the books out of the shelves in the living room and added her Christmas village. My sister and I were trying to find one online because it was unique. Then she rearranged the furniture to make room for the Christmas tree. Shiny Brite ornaments, Bradford Tinsel Garland, the flocked Santa, and the Christopher Radko bird ornaments dotted the branches of our artificial tree, which I think always had colored lights.
Mom ordered from the Sears Wish Book and hid presents under her bed. She must have wrapped them after we went to bed, because I don't ever recall seeing her wrap gifts. We hung our stockings on a fake cardboard fireplace, and later on the lower bookshelf.
One of the few photos I have of my childhood home on Christmas morning
Our bedrooms were at the opposite end of our apartment from our parents' room, so my middle sister and I would sneak into our oldest sister's room to play cards or listen to music before waking our parents. Once we were allowed to wake them, the first thing we did was sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus. Then we opened gifts, cleaned up the remnants of torn paper and bows, and prepared for the extended family to arrive for dinner.
What are some traditions you recall from your childhood Christmases?
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