Think of your earliest memories of the Holidays. What DO YOU remember? Most likely some of the memories at the top of your list involve food. Maybe it’s getting treats out for Santa and his reindeer, making cookies with your Mom or Grandmother. Maybe it was the cinnamon bread that your grandmother made or the Cornflake Meringue Cookies your favorite aunt brought over. A nutritionist may say that associating food with the holidays can induce “holiday anxiety” (whatever, I am no food scientist or psychologist here, but I think that’s a little phoney baloney). I think any memory that makes you think of those you love and beautiful times of happiness in your life is a really good thing. NOW, if you go out and eat a whole wheel barrow full of of the Coconut Cornflake Meringue cookies, well, that’s a problem…
So, congratulations, YOU are the maker of those memories now, the baton has been passed and it’s YOUR TURN. Someone has to be the person who brings the family together to instill the traditions your kids will remember. It’s a nice thing and you don’t have to have a list as long as your leg to do this, it should not cause you to break out into hives at the thought of one more thing on your list to do in addition to that little Elf on the Shelf and you may already be doing this without even knowing, but know the significance to those you love. It makes me smile when I hear our adult kids bring up memories of the Christmas Eve Meal served after the five o’clock Church service of shrimp and cocktail sauce, fondue with homemade bread, a spiral sliced ham, and our own cutout cookies for dessert.
Maybe it’s putting on music of the season and making cutout cookies as a family and singing as you work. Be prepared for the kids to loose interest and wander off leaving you to finish up and clean up. Next year they’ll stick around a little longer and they’ll probably even ask you, “When are we doing the cookie thing? Remember we did that last year and we sang Christmas songs and Dad even danced to ‘All I want for Christmas is You.” If you want to speed things along, buy cookie dough already made and ready made frosting in tubes at the grocery store in the baking aisle.
Consider stringing the cards you receive in the mail and showing the family the pretty cards you received at dinner time after you say your prayer. When you mention who you received a card from, think of the nice memories you have of that person or family. Have your kids help you hang them up. I remember my Godmother in Pontiac made a pretty garland of the cards she received and she would go through the cards when we would go there at Christmas, very proudly pointing out the glitter and pretty handwriting and some even had family photos an she was so proud of all of her friends and their lovely cards.
What about a cookie and hot coco picnic in the car listening to Christmas music as you drive around looking at Christmas lights. Wouldn’t that be a fun memory to look back on? Simple, get your cookies you could go through the drive thru at McDonald’s for the hot coco or make your own and put in cups. If the kids make a mess or spill just clean up when you get home as a team so it goes quickly.
You see where I am going, simple memories with your special people to add to your traditions at this very special time of year. You sit around the tree and read Christmas stories, before bed time if your kids are little or you have young grandchildren their are so many lovely ones out there and if your kids or grandkids are older sit around and reflect back on previous Christmas seasons with loved ones who aren’t with you this year because they are celebrating with the other side of the family or they are no longer with you. Let those be happy memories of Grandpa Jimmy and Uncle Johnny bringing Santa to your house and how you just couldn’t believe how Grandpa arranged that!
Sasha and Alex asked for years how Grandpa and Uncle Johnny got Santa to come to our house on Christmas Eve.
Whether it is the food or just the beautiful memories of those you love together, let this Season of Holidays bring you closer to your Faith and those you love. You are the maker of these lovely memories. If you already do this, pat yourself on the back for taking the time and making the effort. Yes, they do notice and it does matter. You don’t have to spend lots of money on big gifts to do this, or time running here and running there…Remember the reasons for the seasons. The Greatest Gift of All is ❤️
