Christmas Traditions

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December 20, 2000 was the day it all started. This is the day that I was brought into this world. As stories go, I wouldn’t cry when the doctors wanted me to cry, I wouldn’t eat when they wanted me to eat, it can be said that I was a stubborn baby. In all the chaos and concern that came along with this day, also came joy and Christmas stockings. On December 22, 2000, I came home from the hospital, however, I didn’t come home as your normal baby does. When I was rolled into my mom’s hospital room the morning I was to depart, I was tucked into a red Christmas stocking. Being a Christmas baby definitely has its perks. The most memorable is receiving a double dose of presents. From a young age, “presents” was the major word I directly related to Christmas. However, as I grew older, the meaning of Christmas began to morph from an adoration of receiving presents and displaying them, to an appreciation and realization of the importance of family, love, and traditions.

My first memories of Christmas stem from waking up at the crack of dawn to open the stockings that were overflowing with marvelous toys, candies, and an orange that always filled out the toe of the stocking. Following the stocking extravaganza, the excitement waned at the realization that the Julotta service was about to begin and my sister and I wouldn’t be able to open the rest of our glorious presents that were underneath the tree. Every year, at 7am, the Julotta service begins and every year my entire family unites to fill up the sanctuary at our tiny church. This tradition began to grow on me as time progressed because I realized the reason for the season, which to me is to give thanks and to be united with family. Eventually, my cousins and I became a part of the Julotta service, and now every Christmas morning we light the advent candle and give the message behind the Christmas day.

After the service, my family gathers at my grandparents’ house to indulge in the same egg casserole that my parents make every Christmas morning. During this part of the day, my cousins and I are anxiously awaiting the moment when our parents grant us the opportunity to tear into our stockings and marvel at all of our treasures. This event can become rather interesting due to the overexuberance of my cousin, Eastin, who is now pursuing a major in drama. The following tradition is something that I grew to appreciate and understand the meaning for. This tradition is the annual reading of the Christmas story, read by my grandfather. During this portion of the day, there is nothing but silence while we listen to him, which is very rare in our households. It shows the immense respect that we all have for this family tradition. Once the story has commenced, and all thirteen of us have found our seats, tackling the wall of presents is next on our list. I remember being so mesmerized by the abundance of gifts that I felt elated at the sight. The Christmas present opening process takes so long, that we have an intermission to stop and go to the bathroom, get a drink, or to get more food off the treat counter which filled the kitchen. Our present opening rules are as follows: one person at a time, everyone pays attention to what the other is opening, always say thank you, and no playing or using your gift until after all the presents are opened. These rules required major attention and patience for us children, and I was not a very patient child. Finally, after the three to four hours of opening gifts, my cousins and I were finally able to play with all our spectacular toys, or so we thought. Preceding our enjoyment of our gifts came the daunting tasks of opening the packages, finding batteries (if necessary) and prying our gifts away from my Uncle Keith.

My earliest memory of this portion of the day was playing dolls with my sister and all my cousins. Eastin and I would always butt heads due to our constant need to be in control. However, we eventually started to outgrow not only our dolls but also our stubbornness, to an extent. The next phase of gifts included Nancy Drew computer games and technology galore. During these years, my sister, cousins and I would sit around playing with the latest iPod, MP3 player, or other forms of technology, but my most vivid memory is Eastin always receiving a new Nancy Drew game. Eastin would settle in the middle of the couch and all the remaining cousins would crowd around her and watch her maneuver through the game. I was always in shock at how easily and quickly she could beat the game without having played it before. As I look back on this memory now and having talked with Eastin about it, I’ve come to the conclusion that she never really knew what she was doing, but she always found a way to work through the difficulties. While “the cousins,” as we’re called, were off playing with our toys, the moms were busy making the Christmas lunch, and the dads were watching football. Every year, the same venue was prepared. The Christmas meal consisted of ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brookville’s creamed corn, Pillsbury crescents, black olives, green olives, cranberry salad, and pies for dessert. Along with the strenuous meal preparation that took place, an even more stressful tradition, for me, was up next, not breaking Grandma’s fine china.

After the stresses of lunch were over, back to solving the mystery of Nancy Drew the cousins went, and to the living room for their afternoon nap went the adults. Two hours later, but what felt like an eternity, the adults finally woke up and were ready for the game portion of the day. This includes basketball, dominos, and the family Olympics. The family Olympics consists of family members being divided into three teams with members of each household split between the groups. The competitions consist of an academic section, an athletic section, an artistic section, and an entertainment section. For each event, teams would be awarded points based on their first, second, or third place finish. After all the events were completed, each team’s points get compiled and all teams are anxiously awaiting disclosure at the final awards ceremony. At the final awards ceremony the winner is finally announced and awarded with the Olympics banner and gold “medals” — gold decorative sticks from Hobby Lobby. Second place is award with silver “medals” and third place with bronze “medals.” Following the awards ceremony, team photos are taken of each place. These are used for Facebook publishing purposes and bragging rights. Although the Christmas spirit is usually intact, there have been moments of unsportsmanlike conduct, these acts are committed by the sorest loser, also known as, my Uncle Keith.

The end of the night draws near and the festivities have all commenced. The cousins are sad to have to depart from one another, even though they will be reunited the following morning. However, for my sister and I, going home means finally being able to open the rest of our presents from underneath our Christmas tree. We load up the car with all of the goodies from Grandma’s and begin our trek home. Upon arriving at home, my sister and I leap out of the car and run inside to sit by the Christmas tree and await the approval of my parents to dig into the remaining gifts. The wait always seems to last forever, but eventually, once the car is fully unloaded and the camera is on, my parents instruct us to begin. Once the process of opening presents has ended, we spend a little bit more time playing with our new gifts before being told to get ready for bed because it’s past midnight. Every year we try to convince our parents that we’re not tired, but immediately when my head hits the pillow, I’m out like a light. The Christmas festivities have drawn to an end, but next year this day full of traditions will be repeated in the exact same sequence.

 As a child, waking up on Christmas morning was the only day out of all 365 days that caused me to actually jump out of bed and sprint into the living room. Christmas was the only day that you could find me out of bed before 7 am. Christmas was the only day where I felt nothing but joy and cheerfulness. Christmas was the day I received an abundant number of presents. Although receiving presents is a bonus, I now realize there is so much more buried deep within the meaning of Christmas. Whether it be the stories of my birth, the incredible love I am shown on those Christmas days or the amazing family traditions that we have accumulated over the years, I am a strong believer in the power of Christmas and the abilities of Christmas magic.