Be sure to catch LeAnn Rice & me on the radio today talking about our new ebook Untangling Christmas. It will air from 6:30-7:00 pm EST on The Meeting House with Bob Crittenden. Click here to stream.
It is here! The fourth annual 12 Days of Christmas giveaway!
Tune in for the next 12 days as I feature a different one of my Proverbs 31 Ministries sisters offering a tip, recipe or idea and a great giveaway.
Leave a comment each day to win that particular prize. Also, one grand prize winner will be chosen from among those who leave a comment on all twelve days.
So….let’s get this party started!
Here is the featured guest for day one, Luann Prater!
Luann is the mom of 3, stepmom of two, mother-in-law to 3, grandma to 7.5 and wife to one terrific guy. Christmas is her favorite holiday, for even in the days when she had nothing to give her children, traditions were established.
Watching It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve and then sharing a special story of thankfulness is usually funny and tearful. Christmas morning, homemade cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. Stockings, both stuffing and watching everyone discover them.
Hear her heart on a favorite tradition of the season:
Children grow up and move away. Traditions are often strained. My mother saw this stress in her family and decided to make a paradigm shift in her expectations. She proposed a new family practice. There was nothing mom was more thankful for than family, so Thanksgiving became our family Christmas, freeing each of her five children to develop their own family traditions.
One staple during this gathering was The Treasure Hunt.
Luann & friends at the Encouragement Cafe
Lucy, my mom’s friend, had a gift for storytelling. Each year, months beforehand, mom and Lucy drove the countryside looking for inspiration.
Lucy wrote a masterful clue-filled tale of mystery every year.
On Saturday at 5 p.m. about a dozen cars arrived at Lucy’s. The driver from each car entered the tiny home and smelled the kettle of barbecue simmering as the women circled them for prayer.
Distributing the first clue, mom said, “Be safe!” And off they flew, racing to their wheels.
The designated reader sat in the front seat, the crew listened intently in the back seats. The clue often took us to a deserted farmhouse or barn and always in the middle of nowhere.
We jumped out and began the search for clue #2. One year I remember the clue telling us to look in the apron pocket. Shining my flashlight up the staircase in an abandoned house, the light landed squarely on a headless mannequin with an apron. The pocket had 13 clues, we took one and dashed to the next adventure.
The final clue always lead to treasure, a chest full of candy bars and treats. The true treasure, we all agreed, was gathering back at Lucy’s to share stories and barbecue.
Laughter, love, friendship and family, my mom’s new selfless tradition lives on as a family favorite.
Luann’s giveaway:
One commenter on this post will receive an apparel item from Encouragement Cafe, like the ones pictures here on Luann & friends.
Simply tell us a favorite holiday memory that has to do with a special person. Or, if time is tight, say “I’m in!”
And here is a peek at the series’ grand prize. It includes:
The grand prize!!!
~ A Gooseberry Patch 10th anniversary Christmas book
~A copy of our new ebook Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday.
~ A snowman doorknob hanger
~ A cute scented homemade trivet I bought off of a darling lady at our local Farmer’s Market
~ A Yankee Candle in Home for the Holidays scent
~A Wilton gingerbread cookie village pan
~ Some fancy foil-wrapped chocolate St. Nicks
Okay—the 12 Days of Christmas has begun. Leave your comments!
Come back tomorrow for another giveaway on day two!
Published November 28, 2011
At my daughter’s age of 3, I became a single mother. It was most difficult during the holidays, especially Christmas morning. I will always cherish the memories of having my father arrive early (after coming over late on Christmas Eve to assist in preparing my child’s gifts from Santa). She is now married to a wonderful man with 2 children of their own-Thank God he is at home with all of them.
While my father is no longer with us on this earthly home, those moments of joy live on in my heart. This memory also helps me get through this season as this December marks the 4th Christmas without him.
~> Grandma’s tissued wrapped Christmas gifts each with a carefully chosen magazine cut-out image that represented the individuality of the recipient. Growing up in a family with 9 siblings made it a special treat to be recognized as a unique individual. <~
Question: I think I posted my comment as a reply. Do I need to re-enter as a comment to be eligible for the 12-day drawing?
Same here I cant find where to comment except under reply…every year I always end up wrapping presents since I don’t put all presents out till the girls go to bed!!
I am in!!!
I’m in! I look forward to your 12 days of Christmas series each year. I love getting a chance to “meet” all the P31 ladies.
Mary
I never ever thought “I had started a family tradition”. I asked my daughter of 24 years what she liked most of Christmas. And her reply was, “Making sugar cookies and decorating them” We have done this together ever since they were old enough to stand. Thanks for chance to win this AWESOME prize.
Hi Karen and Luann,
Thanks for this giveaway! I’m in! My mom who passed away 20 years ago always tried to make Christmas very special and it gave her much joy to see our faces come down the stairs Christmas morning. The lights on the Christmas tree glowing, the stocking stuffers wrapped and over-flowing and the gifts some wrapped, some not, always too plentiful but it made her smile!
Before we could open anything my Dad would have to shave and “wash up” then grab a cup of coffee and the anticipation from us three girls was enough to make us burst!!!!
I’m In!
One of the traditions we adopted to our family from my husband’s family was scattering loose change all over the floor, around the gifts and up under the tree. Apparently, Santa must have had holes in his pockets while he delivered the gifts!
My kiddos and I would have a pizza party Christmas day and bake a birthday cake for Jesus…..One year each child got to make their own mini cake…..it’s a birthday celebration after all:)
One of my favorite Christmas memories is of playing games long into the night Christmas night. We would go out of town Christmas Eve to one grandmother’s, travel back Christmas Day to my other grandmother’s and never made it back home for our own celebration until late evening Christmas night. Someone always got a board game and we would stay up till the wee hours of the morning, just our little family of five playing games, laughing and eating a LOT of chocolate!
I would love to be considered for the giweaway.
as Dickens put it
“God bless us, every one.”.
I’m in!
Count me in!
Today is my first time stumbling across your blog, literally! 
Thank you for all the incredible write ups! 
In this short time I’ve caught a glimpse of your heart for God! 
Am excited to hear from the other P31 ladies too! 
God bless! 
Hello Karen,
Looking forward to your 12 days of Christmas, I’m in!
Paola- Long Island, NY
I also stumbled upon your blog as I prayed to Jesus to fill my heart with seasonally joy and to find ways to walk closer with him. Christmas has been so blue for me since my Dad died and the past five years it seems that Christmas is only about gifts and rushing around even more.
Bless you both for the encouragement you give others.
I’m in. I could use a little pick-me-up. I need to get back my Christmas joy. I think it’s in me somewhere, buried deep.
I’m in!! ….and I love that our entire extended still gets together for Grandma’s treasured Christmas celebration on Christmas Day! i love family traditions!!
I’m in!
Sounds like a wonderful tradition! We have trouble working with both families’ and their expectations for the holidays. It makes each year crazy!
I have very fond memories of going to my grandparent’s house in South Dakota for Christmas. We always sang a lot and I remember my grandmother humming as she was working in the kitchen. She was an amazing lady!
Rebecca Ann
Im in!!!
Our tradition is that no presents are unwrapped until the Christmas story (and if must be read in the NIV translation to keep our son happy) is read. Today, my daughter and son-in-law who have five children continue the tradition in their home.
My dad delivered morning papers for many years. On Christmas we all would help because the papers were so big. We’d get back to the house about 6 am, go to bed, and then later wake up to celebrate. One year we younger kids decided we weren’t tired and convinced my mom we needed to open presents as soon as we got home rather than later. Mom hadn’t had time to wrap anything, so she ran back and forth into her room, bringing out presents “wrapped” in plastic grocery bags. We all had a lot of fun that year.
We always include a special Nativity lesson, craft, and birthday party for Jesus for all of the grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews on Christmas Eve.
I’m in!
One of my favorite memories is delivering baked goods to friends and family with my mom. I have continued that tradition with my children. Thank you for the lovely blog. I just came across it today after reading the Proverbs 31 devotion. Will “pin it” on my Pinterest board for blogs right now!
I live the idea of a treasure hunt! It was one of my favorite things as a kid. I need to start a few traditions and lose a few traditional burdens! Thanks.
Oh Candace, I can’t tell you how much your family will grow to love this new tradition. It offers opportunities to share, giggle and work together. May God pour out His blessings on you this Christmas.
Love ya,
Luann
My best Christmas memory as a child.
I just can’t sit still and not tell you about our Christmas of 1946. Our family had just lived through a terrible war and even after it was over, things were worse than one can imagine. I was just 7. My mother, brothers and I had just escaped from Communist occupied Poland to the British Zone of Germany. When we arrived at the displaced persons camp, we celebrated our first Christmas.
Oh, what an amazing time that was!!! A package arrived for me and gifts for my brothers and mother. When I opened my box, I cried. My doll arrived with a shattered leg. Mother said, “Don’t cry. I’ll make her a new one.” She did. My baby had one whole leg and a cloth leg. I was so happy I immediately ran to the UNRA (United Nations Relief Association) boxes to find a blanket for her.
But even more awesome than the doll – - – I remember the little Christmas tree. Ahhhhh!!! After we were there for a few weeks, we were given a tiny room in a tiny two room cottage. An elderly couple lived in the other room. One day their door was open, and I saw – - – on their tiny table, a beautiful little Christmas tree. It was decorated with only two items, puffs of cotton and ———————————-CANDY !!!
Can you imagine the joy in a World War II child’s heart when she saw such a sight?
Another amazing thing was in the room. Underneath the tree was an item that I had never seen before – a white loaf of French bread. The only bread we had ever eaten was coarse and black.
Our family just can’t ignore and not thank and share how our precious Lord provided miracle after miracle for us during that unspeakable time.
I wrote a book about that time. It’s called SCREAM quietly. If anyone is interested in reading it, it’s available on Amazon and many other book suppliers.
Thank you for letting me share my precious Christmas memory.
That is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. Your story touched me and reminded me how important Christmas is for children around the world. Thank you.
My favorite Christmas memory was as a child going to both sets of my grandparents on Christmas Day and spending time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We had so little, but had so much love. I miss my grandparents most during the holidays so I try to make sure my children get to spend lots of time with theirs to have wonderful memories like I do!
I too, just stumbled on your website today through my 31 Ministry daily email. I’m love it!
I’m in!
Every year my mother would wake up early and prepare the Christmas morning breakfast. Now, that we do Christmas the weekend before Christmas every year so that all of the families with small children can have their Christmas mornings at home – I invite the ones that are here in town, to my house for a Christmas morning breakfast and am able to pay back my mom for all of her years of hard work. I am so thankful for her and for all of the Christmases that she made magical for us!
We love to make Cream Candy and Fudge every Christmas. We get to give a little homemade gift to our friends each year and make memories while cooking together.
My favorite tradition was Christmas Eve dinner. My dad would always grill steaks and we would have baked potatoes, salad and dessert. A very un-Christmas-like meal. When my dad died the tradition died with him. However, a few years ago we invited my mom and my sister’s family to our house. My husband stood on the deck in a snow storm to grill steaks and bring back the tradition. I couldn’t thank him enough!
I’m in. But, one of my favorite memories is the year my youngest wanted a “Blue Mr. Incredible.” I searched high and low and finally found one on-line. When he opened it that Christmas morning it was one of the best smiles ever….The memories………
My mom and I would spend one day making holiday treats. We would start early and work late. The house would be filled with wonderful smells. We would be soo tired by the end of the day. We would be at the silly stage and laugh at anything.
SO SO EXCITED, 12 days of Christmas is here!! Love this giveaway, I am a stinker for T-Shirts and Hoodies! Karen, Thank you for sharing Luann Prater with us, I cannot wait to get to know her work more!
My favorite holiday memory is my mother and I making homemade wontons, and having my two little girls watch from across the tables and us folding the tiny nurses hats on Christmas morning. This year we promised they could help!
Jennifer,
Can’t wait to get to know you more too! We are always giving away hoodies and goodies at the cafe! Listen for us on the radio in your area or catch us online at EncouragementCafe.com.
Blessings,
Luann
The first Christmas after my husband and I moved far away from family, we began a new tradition. We go on a hike in the mountains and find just the right tree to decorate for the wild animals and birds. We hang homemade birdseed ornaments, suet, orange slices etc. It is now a special family tradition.
Our special tradition is on Christmas Eve. We all pile in the cars (vans,SUVS now that the family has grown) with drinks and snacks and go riding through the county looking at Christmas lights. This is so much fun since it requires very little money but some great times. And of coures, we sing along with the radio or cd playing carols. And of course, my Mom’s homemade sugar cookies. Due to my mom’s passing last year, we just wanted to skip over the season, but this year we all plan on baking those same cookies and using them as a ministry tool. I believe this will would make my mother happy.
My favorite memory is related to my mother – each year, she would choose an ornament to give me at Christmas – some were funny, some were inspirational, but all meant something to me and still do today because I know that she took the time to choose them specifically for me.
Mom passed away in 2001, and I miss her every day. Seeing 27 ornaments on my tree (one for each year) from Mom reminds me of her love, and it makes me smile.
For years we visited my grandparents winter home in FL for Christmas. Sweet memories of time w/them, my parents, brothers, & sister, fishing off the back deck, driving to the beach, and laughing at all the zany decorations on the brightly colored houses. Now that I have a family of my own, and my Grandpa has been in Heaven for almost 20 years, I treasure the moments (even long distance) that I still have with my 93 year old Grandmother.
I’m in!!
I love my mom’s cooking the most during Christmas but I also enjoy playing pictionary with my brothers and sisiters.
One of my favorite Christmas memories is our family piling into our vehicle and spending an evening driving around to look at the houses decorated with lights, etc. Our children are grown up and have moved away, but my husband and I still take at least one evening and pile into our vehicle and go for a drive to look at the lights.
I applaud Luann’s spirit of Christmas. She truly made it a fun focused love on people day. Sounds so enjoyable; sounds so relational. Sounds so much like what Jesus would like to see….his children enjoying their day together….and remembering Him. Those would be Christmases to remember and to look forward to; not for the $$ spent and expensive gifts to open that would be garbage in time; but to build on memories….to build on love. Way to go Luann!
Thanks Judi, mom started it. Wonder what we can start this year that will live on in the hearts of others?
Love ya,
Luann
I loved getting a package in the mail from our great grandparents who lived clear across the country. The package was always from a specialty store and quite a treat for my family. One of the ones I remember best was a box of full of almonds of all flavors. I can still taste the smoked salted ones.
My daddy died of cancer 10 days before Christmas and 3 weeks before my 9th birthday……many years ago! Before he began to feel bad, he shopped for Christmas presents for my brother and me! How special those gifts were to us, even though they were inexpensive and not on our list…..Daddy’s gifts, just for us.
Good morning! I’m so excited to read the articles each day & would love to win the prize!
Have a blessed day,
Janet W.
I’m in!
My favorite CHRISTmas memory is midnight service. I think there is just something beautiful about singing songs with candlelight and thinking about our Savior being born.
Blessings on your Monday all!
Tonya
My favorite holiday memory is taking the kids to get their pictures taken with Santa Clause.
I’m in!!! I actually can’t think of a particular memory. In the past 5 to 7 years, I have tried to start traditions in my family with my kids. However, that hasn’t worked out that well. It seems like there is just so much activity around the holidays, my immediate family hasn’t been able to really enjoy a “tradition”. I would really like to have that.
I’m in!!!!!
My gram passed away in Jan. but the family still met this year for our annual Christmas Reunion . It was started for her to enjoy seeing everyone & we now will continue to be done in her honor. We lit candles & remembered her. It was Bittersweet.. With 9 children of my own i pray my own family can follow her example.
Growing up, it was the celebration of mass at midnight, then home to open one gift. Now that I have a family of my own, it’s the anticipation and excitement from the kids as they ask if it’s time to open gifts. They go through their stockings upon awakening, but gifts wait for everyone to be present. After presents, daddy/hubby makes breakfast before we all prepare for the visiting that occurs tha day. It may be hectic, and even aggravating at times, but it always turns out to be a wonderful day, full of laughter and untold blessings in disguise.
I make a sausage/egg casserole for Christmas morning–put it in the oven about when we are opening gifts and it is ready when we are through!! I am in!!! Thanks and blessings, Barb
I’m in! When I was growing up, we always had our big family Christmas celebration (the one with all of the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents on my mom’s side) at our house on Christmas Eve. My grandma always gave us kids a pair of pajamas and we would all wear them that night. After my mom passed away, my family stopped gathering together at Christmas, which was very sad for me. My children were so very young (4 and 1 … and the youngest wasn’t born yet) … but, I decided to continue the tradition of the Christmas Eve pajamas. My children open one gift on Christmas Eve ~ their pj’s! They look forward to it every year with anticipation! After they open their gifts and put the pajamas on, we have a late night meal of favorite finger foods while watching Polar Express followed by The Nativity Story. Then we turn off all lights except for the tree ang gather around to sing Silent Night before sending the kids off to bed. This year, I have my first grandchild to buy pajamas for – Praise the Lord!!
My children and I loved to lay down on the floor and turn off all the lights, and look at the Christmas tree lights reflecting off of the ceiling. We would talk of Christmases past, and what they remembered about gifts received, gifts given or special foods and time with family. Curling up by my huge fireplace with hot chocolate after going to see the “Lewis Lights” is another MUST for the holidays.
I’m in. Blessing to all
I’m in.
I look forward to your 12 days of Christmas. My children and I have always enjoyed making and giving cookies every year. Making Christmas memorable and not costly is on my heart this year. I am trying to make gifts, purchase from local craftsmen and personalizing, or giving from the heart. I want the true meaning of Christmas to light our world. Thanks for the inspiration.
Count me in! My 3 kids are now grown. This will be the first Christmas that they don’t live at home. There will be some major changes in the way we do things. I’m sure some things will stay the same and I am planning to get some great ideas from your posts.
Christmas Eve at my mom’s house unwrapping our Christmas jammies. Yes, even as an adult mom still buys us all, grandkids included, a new pair of pjs.
Christmas eve was our favorite- we would all sit around the tree – open presents and think about what was great about the past year. Now, since mom is frail and sick- we don’t open presents but talk about what blessings we have had and enjoy each other around the invisible tree…..
One of my favorite memories from days past is my dad reading the Christmas story from Luke 2. Now that my dad is gone that memory is even more precious.
I’m in. Love this site and the twelve days of Christmas.
I will always cherish memories of my best friend, Shannon, and her Christmas Tea. Those memories are precious to me as we heard stories of special Christmases from all that were there.
Listening to Christmas music
One of my favorite memories/traditions is w/ making an advent wreath each year with my young sons (ages 6 and 4). We make it at church and the boys just love putting the greenery and candles around the wreath. A lot of folks leave w/ florist perfect wreaths, but ours is always like a sprouting tree……..limbs and greenery everywhere of every shape and size! We put the wreath/pseudo tree on our kitchen table and it makes me smile all season long! Joy, joy, joy!
I am in!
My favorite person . . . Nana!! Christmas vacation started when she arrive at the airport after eating her Laughing Cow cheese on board and giving each of us a tiny wheel of it for us to eat. She’d have made us a quilt, knitted us new slippers, spent time with us playing games and helped us shop for gifts for our parents. Oh how I miss her!! Today I put up the white ceramic Christmas tree she made. Such a ceremony I’m saving until my sister arrives today so she can participate too. The house smells of cinnamon and spice. Thanks to Luann for her precious family memories she shared. Hugs to all!! Allison allon0711@yahoo.com
Reading the Christmas story from the Bible before opening presents. When the children got old enough to read, we let them do it. Our two grandchildren (the oldest has autism) even sit still while the Christmas story is read. Planting seeds into tender young hearts. God is GOOD!
Santa used to arrive at Sears in a helicopter on the day after Thanksgiving (this was SEVERAL years ago). My mom had to work; my uncle was usually home for the holiday. So bless him, year after year he would load up this excited little girl and take her to see Santa arrive.
I can’t say our family did much in the way of traditions when I was growing up. However I do remember fondly that we always had stockings up and on Christmas morning I couldn’t wait to see what was in mine. But we always had to save that to last. Nothing particularly special was in them, but I loved all the little things that were in it. I have carried that tradition over to my son and this year I’ll have two little boys to spoil with full stockings.
I’m in!
I’m in, thanks for chance. Blessed holidays to all.
When I was little, the presents from Santa were never wrapped. I would wake up Christmas morning and there they would be, as if they were just pulled from his bag. I now realize that mom was being smart and saving time and wrapping paper. LOL
We have a tradition in my family that each person has to share something, a poem, song or story. This tradition has kept on through marriages and grandkids!
I’m In! God Bless
My mother had these cute little elves that were always placed on top of garland that had been strung on the curtain rod. She told us they watching to see if we were naughty or nice that month before Christmas!
Happy Memories.
Thanks for all the years you have done this, Karen, and all the Proverbs 31 women! It’s so much fun to read the memories and ideas.
I’m in, thanks for your website.
When my husband died three and a half years ago I wasn’t sure what I was going to do to get through the holidays. After asking the kids what they thought of when they thought of their father, pretzels were the common thread. Off I went to find a pretzel ornament to put on our tree. I also got pretzel ornaments for my husband’s parents and sister. Each year we have gotten a special ornament to hang in memory of Steve. It’s our way to carry and remember.
My mom passed away this past April. My favorite Christmas memory is making fudge and sea foam for several family and friends. Then we would put them in tins or plates and deliver to each family before Christmas. I want to try and continue this tradition with my daughter.
Kathleen
I am in, I really enjoy your website.
I love Luann’s moms attitude toward her family. She sounds like a very wise and unselfish woman!
I’m In!
Oh! Count me in! No time to give details of my special memory, but it has to do with my father-in-law who passed from cancer 3 1/2 years ago.
I’m in!
I have a few pre-saved Christmas memories growing up in England. There was a Christmas parade that would pass by our house and we would watch it from our upstairs hall window every year. We also had stockings and Christmas gifts “from Santa” every year which we always looked forward to as well as a Christmas festival and Christmas caroling at school (all the songs with Jesus/Savior my sister and I weren’t allowed to sing since we were Muslims).
Then post-saved Christmas memories; my first Christmas as a Christian in 2006 was filled with the joy of knowing the Savior and celebrating His birth. I sang all the Christmas carols in church and when our church young adult group sang carols outside the houses of the sick and shut in from our church. And every Christmas since has expanded that joy. I hope to start some new yet simple traditions this year for my family; we have a 2 year old and one due in January so still trying to figure out traditions that are both manageable as well as child-friendly
I just discovered this site today from the Proverbs 31 link. Since my divorce and my two sons are grown I have been searching for a way to establish some family traditions that will help us heal as a family and enjoy our time together. I’m happy to discover your site and will be looking for some ideas.
I have fond memories of riding with my family in the car looking at decorated homes, making Christmas cookies with my Mom and attending Christmas concerts.
I have lost my zeal for the holiday season. I’m searching for away to make it special again.
My favorite time of the holidays is attending a Christmas eve service and lighting the candles. My husband introduced me to this tradition of his family and I look forward to it every year!
Well, the tradition that brings the most laughter is our re-enactment of the Christmas Story. My mom reads the story from Luke 2 (mispronouncing “quirinius” the governor EVERY time!). When my 2 adult children were smaller, they would play Mary and Joseph – as time went on they were too cool for that, so my hubby and I got to be Mary and Joseph. We have a Cabbage Patch doll, Casey, who has been Baby Jesus for 23 years now and a stuffed lamb that the shepherds carry has been around for about 15 years or more … it’s just a great tradition and we are hoping for a grandbaby to be the baby Jesus next year (praying!!!)!!!
One of my fondest Christmas memories was when I was around 8 years old. Growing up we did not have a lot of money (pastor’s kid here) so Christmas wasn’t a time for many presents. However, being a child, there were some toys I was hoping to get- one in particular. That year my stay-at-home momma decided to get a job working night hours at a local truck stop to make ends meet. One day after school, my sister and I went to the truck stop to see my mom before going home and there, in the dumpy little food area, sat Santa Claus. Growing up, I didn’t believe in Santa- my parents thought it best to raise me focusing on Christ not the Claus- so I knew he wasn’t actually Santa. Nevertheless, I went and sat on his lap and he handed me a gift…the much-wanted toy. It was magical! Looking back it is obvious that my mom arranged the whole thing…Santa, the gift I wanted, etc. My mom is one of the best people ever and this is a memory I will always hold close.
Family means everything to me, too. Our traditions center around sharing time together. Now that our 4 boys are young men, they appreciate family more than gifts, and our Christmas day brunch is a celebration of togetherness and love.
Watching a Muppets Christmas Carol with my husband.
One of my favorite Christmas memories is helping my grandmother decorate her little tree each year. She had a story to go along with each ornament and I loved to listen to her tell the tales as we would listen to Christmas carols and decorate her tree. She left some of her ornaments to me, so as we decorate our tree each year I remember our times together. I hope I can create such loving memories for my own family.
My mother in law’s favorite holiday was Christmas, she LOVED it and insisted on having a 9 foot tree as they have a vaulted ceiling in their small home. She wrapped the pictures on the walls in wrapping paper. She passed away 2 1/2 weeks ago from cancer and it will be a very different Christmas this year. Snowmen are my favorite Christmas reps and I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance.
We have established the tradition of making graham cracker gingerbread houses each year. My boys are 6 and 3 and we started when my oldest was 1. At first it was something done with just my “mommy and me” group, but now that my oldest is in school all day we make them at home too! They have so much fun decorating them. The houses are small enough that I let them do most of it themselves.
We have a tradition of going over to a certain neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. Back when my Husband was in the construction business he did some work around Christmas time for a lady who lives there and couldn’t wait to show our toddler daughter and I the lights. Of course, she fell asleep in the car on the way, but every year since we have gone to look at the lights (and she’s 12 now!).
I absolutely loved the treasure hunt! Reminded me of my days in a co-ed service fraternity 20 years ago… we had our own treasure hunt, called Road Rally. Good times and precious memories!
Don’t have much time but the most memorable Christmas so far was when we brought our newborn triplets home from the hospital. It was right around Thanksgiving and because they were so tiny, we spent most of our holiday season at home to limit exposure to illnesses. Such sweet memories of that year
I’m In!
I have so many wonderful memories, but this one is my favorite one :
Christmas 1998. The last Christmas with my Grandfather. He passed away June 1999.
That Christmas, my daughter Emily was only 6 months old. My Mother and I bought my Grandfather an Atlanta Braves Coat ( His fav MLB Team). He was so excited. He even slept in it Grandma later told us. We also bought a balloon kit where you can put gifts in a balloon. We put dollar bills in it for him. When he popped that balloon, money went everywhere. He had huge smile on his face. I will never forget. I will always treasure the time I got to spend with him. Not a day goes by I do not think about him. The last Christmas I spent with him will I always treasure.