Christmas memories are showing up this week. There are the memories of the Oak Creek country school’s Christmas programs that were prepared in songs, poems, and making those special gifts for our parents. The little stage area in the one room schoolhouse had a wire stretched above the stage and sheets were used to create curtains. The classes took turns preforming their parts for the parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors who were seated on folding chairs in the audience. Then Santa would arrive, passing out treats.
Sunday School Christmas programs were held at the Olive Hill Church every Christmas Eve. The children would dress up in robes portraying the nativity. There were the church caroling parties where attendees traveled around the country side singing at the homes of church members. Then it was back to the church to decorate the Christmas tree. What fun!
There were those special remembered Christmas gifts received as a child. One of my most remembered gifts was the last doll I received at the age of 12. It was lovely Revlon doll, dressed in a velvet and pink chiffon dress, complete with pearl earrings and tiny high heel shoes. Of course, our parents would see their daughters had a Christmas outfit every year. My favorite Christmas outfit included a white rabbit fur hat with ties of fur balls at the ends, along with a matching white rabbit fur muff which was satin lined. I could stick my hands through the muff to keep them warm.
Family Christmas gatherings were a plenty. Four sides of the family all held Christmas meals and gift exchanges at set times during Christmas week and on New Years Day. Names were drawn for the Christmas gift exchanges during the family’s Thanksgiving gathering. It was exciting to see the wrapped gifts under the Christmas trees. When my sisters and I married and had our own families, my mother set her and father’s family gathering during the first weekend of December so she didn’t have to share us with others on her weekend.
It was on one of those family Christmas gatherings at my parents’ home that I received a diamond engagement ring. A year later my own family Christmas traditions were started at our home. My sons added so much to Christmas, as all children will do. Seeing their faces light up as they helped decorate the Christmas tree and later as they hurried to unwrap the Christmas gifts. It’s special to watch your children in the school and church Christmas programs.
Memories of reading about Christ’s birth to the children, and tucking them in for the night on Christmas Eve, knowing that they could hardly wait until the morning light when they could jump out of their beds. They were excited as they ran to look under the Christmas tree to see what Santa had left for them. This Christmas as I decorate our Christmas tree, those sweet ornaments made by my sons in their childhood are again carefully brought out and placed upon the tree as I remember receiving each one.
Here’s hoping you are enjoying those Christmas memories and this Christmas you make even more memories.
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