Beech Tree News Network

Christmas traditions have been on my mind recently, helping me to remember happy Christmases past. Probably many of my family’s holiday traditions are similar to those practiced by you and your family.

Just about the first thing I do is hang Christmas wreaths and decorate the tree. When I was young about a week before Christmas, my Mom would send some of us kids to chop down a small tree on the back side of our farm. Then we would drag Christmas decorations from the attic to decorate the tree. The decorating didn’t take too long: there were six pairs of young hands trying to help. The tree was never beautiful by today’s standards; but, as a child, I loved seeing its lights.

Later, when my husband and I had children, that tradition continued. On a weekend about a week or so before Christmas, my husband would take our girls to a family member’s or a friend’s farm to chop down a tree. As the girls got older, I generally stayed home to get the house cleaned and to get out the decorations. After my husband got the tree on the stand, the girls and I would decorate it. When my husband’s health would no longer allow him to chop down a tree, our youngest daughter was the only child still living at home. We bought a live tree one year, and then the next year bought an artificial tree. But, the decorating tradition continued.

For the past few years, one of my granddaughters has helped decorate my tree – as far up as she could reach! And, this year, for the first time, two of my granddaughters (ages five and three) helped me with my tree. I decorated the top and they took care of the bottom. At the end of the day, we had only broken three ornaments. It was a good day, and I hope they will want to help me each year.

My family gets together one day to celebrate Christmas. That day is not always Christmas Day on the calendar; but, it’s still Christmas. I continue to fill stockings for each family member and wrap gifts for each as well. The food we have varies from year to year, but we always have wassail (a hot drink made with fruit juices, an orange, sugar, and spices – a little like hot apple cider). And, each year I am blessed to witness the evidence of family love.

Though this will be the first Christmas without my late husband, I’m looking forward to Christmas. Through Christmas traditions, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and express love for one another. And, even though one is missing from our circle, Christmas will be celebrated.