Christmas Memories

 

I’ve often said, there are so many memories from my past. Heck, when you get to be my age, there are tons of them. Besides all the ones from my childhood, there are ones from my early marriage, ones with my children and grandchildren, and now I’ll begin some with my great grandchildren. So which ones to write about? It’s a hard decision, but I’ll start from my childhood.

I remember growing up and my mother baking Christmas cookies beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Oh the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. Of course we got to help. Later in December, she baked poppy seed and nut rolls and eventually the little bread balls, we called balbaki, we used for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

On December 5^th, we put our stockings out to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6^th. In the morning the stockings were filled with apples, oranges, and small toys or combs and hair barrettes, sometimes a harmonica or jacks.  We usually put our tree up around that time also. Maybe that’s why Christmas is my favorite holiday. My parents, especially my mom made it special. It wasn’t just a day, Christmas was a season, beginning the day after Thanksgiving.

My older brothers and sister were great about looking for gifts when my parents weren’t home. They often found them, also. I remember one year, we had a sleeper couch with storage for blankets and pillows underneath. Well, wouldn’t you know it, my brothers and sister decided to open it when my parents were out for an evening. Lo and behold, they found a magnetic football game. We played for an hour or so, then my brothers packed it back in the box and put it back in the couch just the way they found it. I don’t know if my parents suspected or knew they found it.

Hubby and I got married November 24, 1962. We rented a two bedroom double with access to the attic. I stored some Christmas stuff up stairs, but I often used the steps for packages after I went Christmas shopping.  It was easier than going all the way up.

Just before Christmas, hubby lost his wedding ring. We were both upset, and I thought about buying him another one, but I really couldn’t afford it. He’d have to go ringless until I could replace it.

One day, I pulled my packages out to begin wrapping. Lo and behold in one of them, I found hubby’s wedding ring. I guess some kids never grow up and snoop even as adults. I almost wrapped it up for him, but I couldn’t hold a secret that long. Besides, I wanted to pick on him about snooping, so I gave it to him that night.

I had a great time when he asked where I found it. I still tease him about it from time to time.