Festive bon bons – better late than never
If you were to visit my home this week…first of all, you’d have to make it through the 13 inches of snow that fell overnight (thankfully my husband cleared the walks and the driveway)…then you’d find Christmas stockings on the mantel, Christmas cards taped to the door, and a Christmas tree in the basement. Tis the season.
It’s no surprise, Christmas is also on the internet…including blogs everywhere. Recently, while visiting one of my favorite blogs, Pat’s Retirement Transition, I came across her entry for the Festive Bon Bons link-up. Well, I’m too late for the link-up, but I so enjoyed hearing about Pat’s Christmas traditions that I decided to answer some of the questions myself. (Warning: some of these photos are older, before iPhone cameras were so amazing. At least that’s what I’m blaming the poor quality on.)
Christmas Tree – do you have one, when does it go up, who decorates it, is there a theme or is it miss-matched?
We have an artificial tree with red poinsettias, white lights, and gold bulbs. There are also a few random ornaments that people have given us over the years. It typically goes up the weekend after Thanksgiving. The most interesting thing about our tree is that my husband wraps it in cellophane after Christmas and slides it into the storage room fully decorated. When the holidays roll around again, he just slides it into place, cuts the cellophane, arranges a few branches—and voila, the tree is up.
Christmas carols – yes or no, faves? Traditional or modern.
That’s a definite yes! I have a rule though (self-imposed) that I don’t listen to any Christmas music until after Thanksgiving dinner. I enjoy the anticipation, and it keeps me from getting bored with the music before the season is over. My favorite is O Holy Night (especially by Josh Groban or my nephew, Seth). I can’t listen to it without getting emotional. The traditional carols are my favorite, but I enjoy the occasional modern song.
Christmas movies – any you watch year after year?
When the children were small, we always watched Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Our favorite was A Charlie Brown Christmas. Now, my husband and I watch It’s a Wonderful Life every year, usually on Christmas Eve.
Christmas traditions?
Every Christmas Eve, my mother would host a party at her house. All of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would be there. We had a potluck dinner, followed by a Christmas story (always read by Mom), a talent show put on by the grandchildren, and a gift exchange. We have a big family, and even as that number continued to grow, she insisted on holding it in her home. It was crowded and noisy and delightful. Two years ago, my mother was ill, and the party moved to my sister’s house. Last Christmas was our first Christmas without Mom, and due to COVID, the party was cancelled. I was afraid that the tradition would not endure, but I am pleased to say, my sister came through again, and the party is back on. We continue this tradition in honor of my mother and to keep the younger generations connected, as our mother did for us.
Christmas Day, I host an open house. It’s more relaxed than Christmas Eve. We serve finger food, including home-baked cookies, and everyone just visits. The family comes in smaller groups, so there is more opportunity to really talk. It is the perfect balance to the previous evening’s high-energy celebrating. Every year, I am honored and grateful for the number of people who choose to spend part of their Christmas Day with us.
Christmas memories?
My mother loved Christmas. She was every bit as excited as us children. On Christmas Eve, my sisters and I would pile into one bed together with instructions that we were not to get up before 5 a.m. We would talk and giggle until we couldn’t keep our eyes open any longer. More often than not, Mom was the one to wake us up, because she just couldn’t wait any longer!
Your turn
Even though the link-up has ended, I’d love to hear some of your “festive bon bons.” Pick one of the questions above, or just tell us your favorite thing about the holiday season. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Hi Christie – I loved all the family photos – so relaxed and everyone enjoying being together. That’s one of the things I enjoy the most about Christmas – not the gifts, or the consumerism, or even the food….it’s just having the family together – laughing and sharing the Christmas spirit. I also smiled at your clever husband wrapping the tree to save all the pain of decorating and undecorating each year! We’ve downsized our tree significantly this year and it made me a lot less stressed (I’m a bit of a Christmas decoration nazi – a little OCD I’m afraid…)
I agree with you, Leanne, being with family is the best part of Christmas…and seeing the children so excited and happy. I used to decorate a lot more elaborately and make four kinds of cookies, and send Christmas cards to everyone I know. Several years ago, I began pulling back a bit…making it easier on myself…and it helped. I can now enjoy my favorite parts of Christmas in a little more relaxed state of mind. I have fond memories of all the fuss, but I don’t regret downsizing at all.
Thank you for taking me down memory lane! Some of your best memories are some of my best memories. I love everything Christmas. To me Thanksgiving and Christmas are “the holidays” and go together. I start listening to Christmas music Nov.1. (Although my husband says absolutely NOT until after Thanksgiving!) I love many Christmas shows, (even Hallmark) but my favorite is Christmas Vacation. I usually decorate the day after Thanksgiving, but this year due to surgeries and COVID we are doing minimal. For me Christmas Day is not the main event. It’s the entire season and the good feelings it evokes that I love. ❤️?
You’re welcome, Cindy. We were blessed with a mother who was loaded with true Christmas spirit…and a big family to enjoy it with. Remember the Christmas Eve productions when we were young? Connie directing us? I agree with you that it’s not the destination of Christmas Day so much as the journey through the holidays. I hope you and the family have been able to enjoy some of that journey despite all the medical challenges and that the new year will find you healthy and happy!
Your traditions sound so joyful and relaxed. Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry you are experiencing the loss of your mother but that your traditions are enduring.
Thank you Janet. Last year was so different in every way, this year I am feeling the lack of my mother’s physical presence more as things return somewhat more normal. I know she would be pleased that we are carrying on her Christmas Eve tradition, so I feel her with me in that. Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!
Christie, it is nice that your sister picked up the mantle and carried on your Mom’s tradition. Wrapping the Christmas tree in cellophane is priceless! Glad you joined the party.
Yes, my sister is a hero, and my husband is brilliant. Merry Christmas Suzanne!
Hi, Christie – I greatly enjoyed reading about your Christmas Traditions and how you help keep them alive for the younger generations. Althought the InLInkz has closed, this link up really never closes. I have added your link to the main body of my Festive Bonbon post.
Thank you for joining in.
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.
Thank you Donna. Merry Christmas and happy new year to to you and yours as well!
I love our family, and all of these traditions! So grateful we get to do them all again this year!
Me too Liz! I can’t wait to see you and your sweet family.
I like reading about your Christmas and seeing your photos.
My one question is Christmas memories – on vacation in Hawaii at Christmas, sitting around a hotel pool on Christmas Day while another guest played carols on his ukulele! Unexpected and charming– made the day special.
Thank you Ally. Your Christmas in Hawaii sounds delightful. I hope he played Mele Kalikimaka!
He did!
Perfect.
Christie, Thanks for the shout out and I agree – better late than never. I’m so thrilled that your family is continuing the holiday traditions. My husband’s family lost them through the years – they had similar ones years back but then kids (nieces/nephews) didn’t want to be at grandma’s when there were new games to play with at home. And when his mom (grandma to the nieces/nephews) passed, a sister attempted to continue the tradition, but it was never the same, and every year someone had an excuse to not join in. The his sister passed, and that was the end of any family tradition. So, it’s really nice to hear another family’s traditions are surviving – including surviving COVID, too. Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you Pat. I’m glad I saw your entry in time to create my own before the holiday. It is pretty special continuing my mom’s traditions. I hope we can keep them going. It gets more challenging as the family grows and people go separate ways. I would love for the younger generation of cousins, aunts, and uncles to be as close as my siblings and our children are. Merry Christmas to you too!