Traditions

With Christmas over for this year, I appreciate again all of the times past and present spent with family.  Growing up, we always spent Christmas Eve with my Dad's family.  We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the evening; this included my Dad's two brothers and his sister and their families We did not gather for a meal on Christmas Eve, but Grandma baked sugar cookies and made candy, individually wrapped caramels, fudge, and peanut brittle, which she had spread out for all of us to enjoy.  My mother and aunts would bring other goodies including popcorn balls and caramel popcorn.  Grandchildren passed out gifts to each receipent. Cousins drew names to exchange gifts, all of the grandchildren and adults received a gift from our grandparents, and every family gave our grandparents a gift as well. Opening gifts happened silmultaneously with exclamations of delight. Having twenty-two people in Grandma and Grandpa's living room made for close quarters and a flurry of activity. The grandchildren began playing with their gifts and checking out what the cousins had gotten as the adults visited. Since most of us lived on the ranch, the trip home did not take much time. 

On Christmas day, we opened our family gifts in the morning after Dad had done chores.   Although Santa Claus was not a big deal at our house, there were stockings placed on the fireplace hearth filled with small items. We usually received one gift from our parents and one from each sibiling.  Christmas dinner happened again at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The kids wore their new Christmas clothes and shared with each other about what they had gotten as gifts and adults visited.

 Occasionally, we had Christmas dinner with my mother's family, but since she was the youngest of seven children in a family who lost their mother when my mother was only three, there was not a strong sense of family gathering.  Mom's family was more spread out with her brothers living in a neighboring community thirty-five miles to the east and her three sisters all living in California.  I think if the sisters had been closer geographically, they might have organized family gatherings on special holidays.  The men were not so inclined.

Since my marriage, I have added my husband's family traditions, such as gathering on Christmas Eve at his parents home for dinner, opening gifts, and singing Christmas carols and Irish songs.  This year there were thrity-two for dinner.  Early in our marriage, Christmas day was spent at his grandparents with all of his dad's family--aunts, uncles and cousins for a gift exchange and dinner much like we had in my family.  Although there are some differences, the family gatherings were very similar.

When our children married, our daughter-in-law and now son-in-law have infused new traditions as well.  Both of our children live in New Mexico, and it is easier for us to travel to them, so we do not have Christmas at our house.  We open gifts one at a time starting with the youngest grandchild.  It is fun to see what each person receives and their reaction; although it is hard for the kids to wait their turn, especially for a two-year-old!

Marriage means sharing the holidays with two different families, but it also means adding new traditions and family members.  So each passing year enriches our holiday time with new in-laws or grandchildren.  These celebrations also make us appreciate the times that we have with our mothers and family members.  We remember fondly the times when our grandparents and fathers were also with us. Having family to share life with is a blessing and a privilege.  Praise God for his good gifts!