My favorite holiday memories are deeply rooted in our family
traditions. I remember walking into my grandparents’ house in Jonesboro for
Christmas and feeling like I had stepped into what I imagined the North Pole
must be like. Garlands of gingerbread men hung along the doorframes, each
individually wrapped in cellophane and ribbon so that opening one felt like a
present in itself. Those tasty, carefully and lovingly created gifts of
gingerbread goodness were one of the highlights of my childhood. I looked
forward to them each year and they are part of many wonderful memories.
traditions. I remember walking into my grandparents’ house in Jonesboro for
Christmas and feeling like I had stepped into what I imagined the North Pole
must be like. Garlands of gingerbread men hung along the doorframes, each
individually wrapped in cellophane and ribbon so that opening one felt like a
present in itself. Those tasty, carefully and lovingly created gifts of
gingerbread goodness were one of the highlights of my childhood. I looked
forward to them each year and they are part of many wonderful memories.
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| Christmas at the beach in North Carolina! |
As our family moved from state to state, sometimes far from
our extended families, we tried on traditions. When I was 8, we traveled to
North Carolina from our home state of Texas to be with my father who had moved
ahead of us for a new post. Intent on making it a memorable Christmas, my
parents created a scavenger hunt that sent us joyfully around the apartment
following clues that led us to our gifts. We followed that up with a trip to the beach! Other years included counting down
with purpose using the advent calendar and an unforgettable Christmas pageant
featuring live animals.
our extended families, we tried on traditions. When I was 8, we traveled to
North Carolina from our home state of Texas to be with my father who had moved
ahead of us for a new post. Intent on making it a memorable Christmas, my
parents created a scavenger hunt that sent us joyfully around the apartment
following clues that led us to our gifts. We followed that up with a trip to the beach! Other years included counting down
with purpose using the advent calendar and an unforgettable Christmas pageant
featuring live animals.
One tradition that stuck, although it presented itself in
many forms over the years, was a tradition of serving others as a family during
this time of year. Whether we went caroling at the hospital, visited the
elderly at the nursing home, or served Thanksgiving dinner at a homeless
shelter, we took the time to shower love on those whose spirits needed
brightening.
many forms over the years, was a tradition of serving others as a family during
this time of year. Whether we went caroling at the hospital, visited the
elderly at the nursing home, or served Thanksgiving dinner at a homeless
shelter, we took the time to shower love on those whose spirits needed
brightening.
This year, as a new parent, I have been especially
thoughtful of holiday traditions and the memories I want to create for my own
son. I hope to instill in him the same sense of service and love for others
that my parents ingrained in me by their example.
thoughtful of holiday traditions and the memories I want to create for my own
son. I hope to instill in him the same sense of service and love for others
that my parents ingrained in me by their example.
I’d love to hear some of your family traditions as well.
Just know that I might just adopt them as my own!
Just know that I might just adopt them as my own!
I will never forget the smell of gingerbread at Grandma's either. I wish I could have my own holiday party with the Woods finally. But everyone lives so far away!
Following your blog now….and I was scrolling through your old posts and thought I'd comment. 🙂 I love the service ideas!! I would love to do that with Wyatt as he grows older!
One tradition that I would love to start is one I got from Pinterest. lol You get a white tablecloth for Thanksgiving and each year whoever is with you writes on it what they are thankful for!
-Bonnie (from JFTM 🙂 )
So enjoyed your memories. I too watched my parents serve others. That, I guess, became a legacy also. One with kenetic energy!