We have all known for years that the image of Santa Claus ducking under the tree is in fact our groggy-eyed, dedicated parents laying out the presents that they have been hiding in their closets all winter. Still, they often insist on keeping up old traditions to keep the spirit alive. Cassie Martin’s grandma still can’t give her grandchildren presents without saying they’re from Santa. “All of the packages say that they’re from ‘Ho, Ho, Ho!’ instead of just grandma.”
Jamie DeVivo laughs thinking of her parents’ persistence. “I’m 16, and my brothers are both even older than that. When we were little, and we first woke up, we used to have to wait at the top of the stairs, so our parents could take a video of us walking down. They still do it now, but we’re like ‘Okay, let’s go!’”
Every family has silly traditions that they’ve kept up over the years. While eating dinner on Christmas Eve, Cassie’s family tries to guess who is sings each Christmas song that comes on the radio. “When we guess it right, my Dad gives us money,” she grins.
Jamie speaks excitedly about her favorite tradition. “We do the Christmas pickle…it’s where my parents hide a pickle ornament on the tree and my brothers and cousins and I have to try and find it. Whoever finds it usually gets some sort of prize. It’s just really fun!”
As a child, Vicki Mackowka used to find new Hess trucks set up in the backyard each Christmas Eve; she now has a huge collection! A few years ago, her family replaced this tradition with another. “In 7th grade I gave all of my presents away to charity, so now I get sugary cereals instead,” she says.
Even with our special Christmas quirks, one thing seems to remain constant for all who celebrate the holiday; it’s all about family. Vicki feels particularly strong on this subject; “I wake up in the morning while everyone else is still asleep, make a cup a tea, sit by the tree with my bible and reflect. I appreciate Christmas for the real meaning and not the superficial, materialistic connotations that it has developed over the years.”
Let’s enjoy Christmas in all its jolliness, not forgetting how lucky we are to be spending the holiday season surrounded by our family and friends.
