Christmas Memories

What was Christmas like when I was growing up? There was excitement in the air—and extra work cleaning and preparing for the holiday, but no one minded.

Our tree went up on Christmas Eve. My father would wrestle it into the stand while uttering traditional German exclamations about the beauty of the tree. My favorite was "Stupid #&$%". LOL! I helped decorate the tree every year. After arranging the ornaments, we placed tinsel on the tree one strand at a time. The tree topper was a Santa face with a real beard—the hair came from Santa himself (haircut clippings).

On Christmas Eve my dad and sisters always went to midnight Mass--they were in the choir. After my chores, I made macaroni bracelets (or something like that) for my sisters, cards for my parents, and tried to play Christmas music on my grandpa’s ancient electric organ (we had a “by the numbers” guide). I went to bed, but not to sleep. In addition to waiting for Santa, every year I hoped it would snow (regardless of the temp) and got out of bed repeatedly to look out the window. But somehow Santa got past me each year.

Since Santa had so much ground to cover, my folks told him not to spend time wrapping the presents. He created a pile for each person. Every year I would get a pair of pants, a shirt and either socks or underwear—somehow Santa always knew which one I needed the most. And there would be THE present. One year it was a doctor's kit. One year a plastic trumpet (no parent would give a noise-maker like that to their son). When I got older, one year I received a chess set.

At some point during the holidays we would visit my dad's sister. She made homemade cookies every year. The kids would sit and listen to the adults talk for what seemed like hours…and it always seemed to be about nothing—like the shortest route to the post office. Snore! Eventually my aunt offered cookies and they were worth the wait.

When I was 15 I asked my mother for another doctor's kit. I told her ALL teenage boys enjoy playing doctor!!! She didn't think that was funny.

Favorite Christmas Memory:
When I was 12 I had a choice whether to go to midnight Mass or stay home. I stayed home with my mom. We watched "A Christmas Carol" (1938 version). She let me have eggnog and fruitcake. I like eggnog. I like fruitcake. But combined they made me sick. Despite the upset stomach, that night with my mom is one of my favorite Christmas memories.

Least Favorite Christmas Memory:
Taking down the tree! My father wanted to keep the tinsel to reuse the next year. So we had to take it all off one strand at a time. The tinsel was older than I was.

Christmas as an Adult:
The tree goes up mid-month with no hassle. Santa always wraps my kids' presents, even though I have told him he doesn't have to. When we get together with family I always start a conversation about the best way to get to a particular place…to keep the tradition alive and to annoy the kids a little. They’ve heard the story and know why I do it.

Hopefully this Christmas season will create new fond memories for my family and I hope it does the same for all of my friends. Whether you celebrate or not, I wish you and your loved ones the peace and joy of the season!!!