When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.
Bob Hope
Every Christmas season we:
1. Celebrated St. Nick's Day on December 6.
2. Fought over whose turn it was to put up the little ornament on the homemade felt calendar.
3. Lit a simple Advent wreath at dinner every night.
4. Had a Nativity scene set up with real straw that we could add to the manger if we did something nice.
5. Went downtown for lunch and shopping and the Santa visit on the train.
6. Hung a wreath above our fireplace.
7. Poured over the JCPenney catalog.
8. Wrote a letter to Santa and put it out on the front porch for the elves to deliver.
9. Made cut out Christmas cookies.
10. Patiently waited for one of the TV channels to show Rudolph or Frosty.
11. Went to Grandma L's Christmas Party.
12. Bought a tree a week or two before Christmas which we all decorated, and burned our fingers on the big colored bulbs.
13. Opened new pajamas on Christmas Eve.
14. Woke up early (5:30 am?) and Santa always came, even in the blizzards.
15. Opened presents which usually included new notebooks and pens and/or a sled...always a book or two.
16. And then we went to church.
The End.
Thanks Mom and Dad, for great memories.
Posts
Great memories Sarah. I used to always burn my fingers on those lights :) I'm not sure if the little girl in the red nighgown is you or your sister, but it sure looks like Abby!
ReplyDeleteHope you don't mind--I might try to dig up some photos of my childhood. I loved this post!
ReplyDeleteThis made me go back to my childhood Christmas memories, thanks for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this post. The pics and words brought back old memories, and reminded me of my simple favorite memories! Thanks, and happy holidays.
ReplyDeleteJust love the matching dresses.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Love this post Sarah! Such great memories. And yeah, those old coloured bulbs were hot...I always burned myself!
ReplyDeleteI still have my Holly Hobby doll.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post Sarah! Makes us all remember our childhood Christmas memories. I've been catching up on your blog (things are so crazy lately!) and now after reading your post for Patrick's birthday I'm in tears. What a special post. I'm having a really hard time lately with Kole getting bigger. I know you know how I feel and it really bites. It's just going by way too fast this time around.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! I'm going to bed now since my make-up is smeared all down my face. :)
I love those giant Holly Hobby dolls you got!
ReplyDeleteI was planning to do some last minute shopping for the kids today but after reading your post I realize it's just not necessary. Thank YOU!
ReplyDeleteMy brother and I loved looking through the JCPenney's catalog.....the memories of him and I chatting, fighting over it and dreaming of having the great big doll house, racetracks and trains is what it's all about (well, maybe not the fighting ;)
Merry Christmas!
At my Grandma Ledom's Christmas get together eight families come together to celebrate each averaging 3-4 children each. This year they played videos of Christmases past that they merged together. What a delight it was for me to see my father as 5 year old. I got great joy seeing him in prime childlike form. I also felt very enlightened of how Christmases seemed so simple back then, and how happy all the children were with their ONE big gift, a pair of new pants, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a shame how commercialism has ruined everything, or how parents ruin that simple wonderment. I'm sure there are families where if they don't get exactly what they want or as many things as they want, then there is a lot of pouting going on. Sad. My husband and I personally don't buy our children "stuff" during the year. My boys are perfectly happy with trains/cars/super hero stuff... they don't need anything else. I think parents are partially responsible for the "want" of certain items, don't you agree? I always want Christmas to be a magical time for my children but it isn't the quantity of stuff that makes it magical. Once again, I love your blog, I'm always drawn towards "real" people in a day where they are hard to find!
Merry Christmas and Peace~
Amber
I so feel this Christmas simplicity. I'm kind of filled up to my eyeballs with entitlements around here. I've been posting a collection of emails by my family remembering the simple things while I enjoy some of my own memory making with my kids. Merry Christmas, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect!!!!! Merry Christmas to your sweet family Sarah!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes - it reminds me of many merry Christmases past in our family, too. (Especially pouring over the JCP catalog!)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous look back. Thanks for this. ♥
thank you for sharing your christmas memories. i felt like i was looking at my own childhood photos!
ReplyDeletei remember the penny's catalog...but sears was my favorite!
have a blessed christmas!
AAAA! I had Holly and Heather Hobbie! (and a complete line of Raggedy Anns and Andys).
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
love love love it :) Great pics and great memories. Have a very Merry Christmas!
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