Yay! Christmas Week has arrived! Christmas Day is fast approaching *woo hoo* and there’s lots to look forward to here on Book Chick City. So sit back with a glass of mulled wine and a delicious mince pie and enjoy!
My Christmas Memories
by Julia
I can’t think about Christmas without thinking of my family’s tree growing up. Each year my mom would pick out that perfect, live Douglas fir, my dad would wrap it in so many colored lights each branch would shine and the whole family would decorate it with ornaments made, bought, and gifted through the years. Dad also used to regale us with “You don’t know how good you have it” stories about his Christmas mornings growing up, when Grandma and Grandpa made all the kids wait until after church to open presents. We were appropriately thankful that Mom and Dad had watered down that torturous tradition to “You’re not allowed to look at the tree until everyone in the family is awake”.
Of course, even that more humane rule seemed like agony when I was little, sitting on the stairs just one peak around the corner away from having my Christmas dreams come true. I now understand the method to my parents’ madness. Every year they were ready with a camera, poised to capture the look on our faces when we saw the tree, beautifully decorated and surrounded by presents. From little kids in matching p.j.’s to sleepy teenagers to young parents holding our own kids around the corner, through all these pictures our smiles reflect the happiness of that first, magical glimpse of the Christmas tree.
Our Tree / Parents’ Tree
“We may have a smaller dog and a smaller tree,
but the memories are just as sweet.”
but the memories are just as sweet.”
This year, for the first time in my thirty years, I’m not going to make it home for Christmas. My husband and I are setting up our own little tree and sending most of the wrapped presents we’ve bought up north to our families. There’s a poignancy to our first Christmas off on our own, and a sweetness to being “the grown ups” who will decorate the house and play Santa. Though this year we could break off and set our own tradition, I’m already anticipating the quiet morning, waiting for the other half of my new little family to wake up, so we can peer around the corner together for that first, wonderful glimpse of our tree.
2 Comments
Those are great memories to hold on to. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for visiting BCC, Julia, it was great to have you! I remember my first Christmas with my hubby (then boyfriend). It was so romantic and I loved every minute. Thankfully it's still romantic and fun, and we've been together nearly 20 years, married 8
Have a great Christmas! x
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