Thanksgiving afternoon, the basket of Christmas books come out, and that evening the first of the Christmas stories were read. After children were in bed, we would put on the classical Christmas music, and I would begin the writing of the Christmas cards. Used to write close to a hundred, each with a personal note keeping in touch with favorite people and tell those we loved what they mean, and how truly thankful we were. One year for fun, we had a fresh baby. So I was Mary, Dad was Joseph Eldest was Angel, Second was shepard with stuffed lamb and youngest was King. and of course the fresh baby was the Christ child in the manger.
Fun times.
From Thanksgiving until Christmas, we decorated, made cookies, and opened Advent calendars. The only shopping besides food that we did was as a family for a needy family. And it was all done within a background of Christmas music that was about the Season, and stories about the Christmas. We owned and watched selected Christmas movies together each year. I cry at the Claymation ones from the sixties, for my grandmother and I watched them every year together.
We would cut a fresh tree each year and decorated in a magnificent fashion. Not only traditional ornaments, but souvenirs from trips, special booties and shoes and toys and jewelry were all on the tree. More of a memory tree.Everything on it had meaning.
Of course on Christmas eve we had special food, and tea and tea cakes while Luke was read. Then everyone was off to bed. In the morning, no one was allowed to go downstairs until every one was up in Mom and Dads room. Dad would check to see if everything was ok ( and turn on the Christmas lights and music) and we would all pray then troop downstairs to another wonderful Christmas Day!
That sounds beautiful!! I wish we had such special times when I was growing up! But thakfully, I now have an 18 month old of my own & intend to make some great memories!! Thaks for sharing yours!