Advent Calendar : Christmas Eve

How did you, your family or your ancestors spend Christmas Eve?


As a kid, we spent Christmas Eve at my Grandma Wright's house.  Many times, my cousins were there as well.  We would have a good meal, drink the traditional Christmas punch and open presents.  We always had to pose for a picture next to the plastic Santa.


Nowdays, we usually spend Christmas Eve day with my mother-in-law and then in the evening we go to my parents.  My brother-in-law and his family usually come up and we celebrate his birthday as well.  My stepdaughters spend Christmas Eve with their dad and come back late in the evening.  Depending on the schedules, we see as many of the family as possible.  Work schedules make it difficult to bring everyone together every year.


In our small town, Santa Claus usually makes an appearance riding the firetruck through the town on Christmas Eve.


My mom shares her Christmas Eve memories:

As a child, I went to my grandparents houses on Christmas Eve.   There was plenty of food and gifts were exchanged.   We were always the last ones to arrive as my dad, Bill Wright, worked at the Post Office and usually didn't get off work until 7 p.m.   Since I am a grandparent, I feel that children need to be home on Christmas Day so we try to get together on Christmas Eve with the families.  

Advent Calendar : Christmas Sweetheart Memories

Do you have a special memory of a first Christmas present from a sweetheart? How did you spend your first Christmas together? Any Christmas engagements or weddings among your ancestors?


My parents' first Christmas memory:

Weldon and I were married on our first Christmas.   I remember getting him a coat and he got me a watch.  We lived in Muncie in a small apartment. We had a little tree on a hand-me down corner table.  We went to my parent's house on Christmas Eve and to his parent's on Christmas Day.   We had just been married 18 days.

Advent Calendar : Christmas and Deceased Relatives

Did your family visit the cemetery at Christmas? How did your family
honor deceased family members at Christmas?


I do not remember visiting the cemetery at Christmas.  We would honor their memories by continuing traditions and remembering them that way.  


My mom and dad shared a bit that I didn't know:

Grandma Ruth LeMaster always visited the cemetery and placed wreaths or grave blankets on the deceased.   I don't visit the cemetary at Christmas.   Since my parents are buried next to the highway, I always look over at the tombstone and think of them.   One way I probably honor my parents is to talk about them to my grandchildren.   I also bake their favorite cookies.   I decorate the house with many of my parent's decorations.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Music

What songs did your family listen to during Christmas? Did you ever go
caroling? Did you have a favorite song?


Growing up, we listened to all sorts of Christmas music, both secular and sacred.  I remember going caroling only with our church group, unless you count the times when we would visit my great-uncle & aunt, Clarence & Vera (Haley) Stuber, at their home and later in the nursing home.  We were pretty young then, and I can remember singing Christmas and other songs for them.


As a kid, my favorite was probably "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer".  Now, I would have to say that one of my favorites was "Mary, Did You Know?".


Mom had a different favorite song:

When I was growing up, my brother and I were in the band so we were surround by music especially music at Christmas.   Mother always had music playing in the house. 
We would go caroling with the church and back for fellowship.   I usually starting playing music right after Thanksgiving.   "Silent Night" is probably one of my favorties.   It always makes me cry.

 

Advent Calendar : Religious Services

Did your family attend religious services during the Christmas season? What were the customs and traditions involved?


Attending church services during the Advent season is a special time.  Having been a part of different Protestant traditions, I must say that the ones that stick out in my mind are those involving the "Hanging of the Greens" and the lighting of the Advent candles each Sunday in Advent.  This was a tradition in both the Disciples of Christ church I grew up in and the United Methodist church of my early adult years.


I've been to Christmas Eve candlelight services as well, and there is something beautiful about a simple worship service at this time of year.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Shopping

How did your family handle Christmas Shopping? Did anyone finish early
or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?

I've never started Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve, but I've been close.  I seem to struggle sometimes on what to buy.  Every year I tell myself I will do better and buy early, but it never seems to work that way.  I don't do subtle very well, so if someone wants something, I need to know exactly what it is.

I've tried to put some 'sweat equity' into my shopping, and not just shop entirely online.  This year we've noticed that many stores do not have the inventory on hand, and are also out of stock online.  Not good if there is something you really want.

Mom contributed the following :

I do the majority of Christmas shopping and wrapping.   I start early sometimes as early as September or October.   I go with the girls on Black Friday mainly to get ideas.   I'm usually done a couple of weeks before Christmas but there's always a last minute gift or two to pick up.  I give a lot of baked goods, candies, and homemade jams and sewn items. When the kids were little we would buy all year long and hid the items in attic or garage.   We have a tradition of going out for breakfast on Christmas Eve and browse afterwards through the stores.   Sometimes we pick up silly little items for the granddaugters before heading back home to get ready for Christmas Eve get together.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Stockings

Did you have one? Where did you hang it? What did you get in it? Do
you have any Christmas stockings used by your ancestors?

I can always remember having a stocking at Christmas.  We would always hang it on the fireplace.  One item that our stockings always included were a pair of tube socks.  Even today, when we go to mom & dad's, there is a pair of tube socks in a stocking for us.

Mom and dad contributed the following :

Weldon and I don't remember having a stocking at Christmas.   It could be because neither one of us had a fireplace to hang one.  My children had stockings and now the grandchildren have one, especially since we have a fireplace mantle to hang them on.   The children usually get candy, fruit, and maybe a small gift.   

   

Advent Calendar : Christmas At School

What did you do to celebrate Christmas at school? Were you ever in a Christmas Pageant?

I can remember participating in several Christmas programs in elementary school, including many in which I sang with the choir. One in particular I can remember I did a duet with Amy King, performing "O, Holy Night". Somewhere my mother has a picture of the event. I believe I was probably in the 4th or 5th grade at the time.

My momma says :

I don't remember my parents talking about celebrating Christmas at school.  I remember a Christmas program when I was in fourth grade.   We played the "Good King Wenceslas" on flute-a-phones (recorders) and every time I hear that song today, I remember when I was in fourth grade.   My children always had a Christmas program when they went to Orestes School.   Everyone looked forward to seeing the kindergartners walking in with pajamas on and carrying a stuffed toy and singing "Away in a Manger".   Mrs. Brackett always put on a good show. 

 Jason, Travis & Michelle LeMaster

Now that I've read mom's recollection, I can vaguely remember the program for kindergartners singing "Away in a Manger", though probably I'm remembering seeing my younger brother and sister.  Mrs. Brackett, our music teacher, was a very special lady.  She came to America as a young child from Germany right after the war.  Her accent was still very think, but she was sweet to the kids.  I remember that if she couldn't remember your name, she would say "Hey, Lady" with her German accent.  I can still hear her voice.


Update : The pictures have been located.

Travis LeMaster & Amy King, Orestes Elementary, 1977

Advent Calendar : Holiday Happenings

Often times December to mid-January birthdays and anniversaries get over shadowed by the Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year holidays. So we’re going to shine a spotlight on those family members and ancestors this time around. Select one or more December to mid-January birthdays and/or anniversaries on your family tree. Write a short tribute to or memory of those birthday guys and gals and write a toast to the anniversary couples.

When I think of December birthdays and anniversaries, I have to remember my mother's birthday on December 10th and my parents anniversary on December 7th.  Mom's birthday oftentimes was the demarcation line for when the Christmas tree would need to be put up at our house.  Their anniversary, forever tied to Pearl Harbor day, was always easy to remember as well.  I think my dad must have picked that day on purpose, so that he wouldn't forget.

My brother-in-law, Curt, has his birthday on December 23rd as well.  He's one of those babies that came home from the hospital in a stocking.  I need to ask him if he ever felt like his birthday and Christmas were blended presents-wise.

Mom offers her take on whole holiday birthday/anniversary issue:

Being one of those who was born in December, I understand how easy it is for Christmas and all it's activities to overshadow one's birthday.   However,  I must admit that as a child and an adult, my family has been great about remembering my birthday.   I also was married on Dec. 7th.   I always remarked that since my husband was a history teacher, this was one date he wouldn't forget.   Of course, he said that since my birthday, anniversary, and Christmas all fell in the same month, he would only have to get one gift.   He was joking of course.  

My father, Bill Wright, was born on December 1, 1919.   Although he passed away suddenly at the age of 53 1/2, I have never forgotten him on his birthday.   I miss him very much and wished that he could have known my children.   My daughter was 1 month old when he died suddenly, and my two sons were 2 and 4 1/2.   He would have been so proud of them and they of him.   

Advent Calendar : Fruitcake - Friend or Foe?

Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes? Have you
ever re-gifted fruitcake? Have you ever devised creative uses for
fruitcake?

I do not like fruitcake at all.  No one has gifted us a fruitcake in my adult life. 

I was not aware that anyone in my family liked fruitcake, until I heard from my parents regarding the subject:

We both like fruitcake.  Don't want to eat a lot of it but do enjoy having a piece now and then.   We did receive fruitcake as a gift and I can't recall ever regifting it.  

Well, at least now I have another gift idea!

Advent Calendar : Holiday Travel

Did you or your ancestors travel anywhere for Christmas? How did you
travel and who traveled with you? Do you remember any special trips?

Every year on Christmas Eve we would go to my Grandma Wright's house in town.  Then, on Christmas Day, we would travel about an hour to my Grandma LeMaster's house.  

Right after my daughter was born, my in-laws flew all of us to Siesta Key, Florida for Christmas.  That was an interesting trip, especially with a six week old baby.  The weather was beautiful, and it felt strange not to have it be cold and snowy for Christmas.

My mother added her memories regarding holiday travel:

As a child, we went to grandparents home on Christmas eve to celebrate and exchange gifts.  When my brother moved to Chattanooga about 30 years ago, we decided to drive down on Christmas Eve Day and be with them.   A winter storm was predicted so we told the kids that we asked Santa if he could deliver gifts early and we left two days before Christmas eve. My mother went was us as she was a widow at the time.    It was warm (50degrees) and we went shopping on Christmas Eve.   We had a great time.

Advent Calendar : Charitible / Volunteer Work

Did your family ever volunteer with a charity such as a soup kitchen, homeless or battered women’s shelter during the holidays? Or perhaps were your ancestors involved with church groups that assisted others during the holiday?


I'm not aware of my ancestors' activities regarding charitable work during the Christmas holiday.
Growing up, I do not remember any specific activity directly tied to Christmas.


As an adult, our family has been involved with one small endeavor during Christmas-time, and that is Operation Christmas Child. Eileen helped to spearhead the collection of items and we all helped with the packaging and deliver of the shoeboxes to the drop-off site. We became involved with this organization several years ago, when we members of a small United Methodist Church. After we switched churches and denominations to the larger Southern Baptist mega-church, we continued to be a part of the organization and distribution of the shoeboxes. Sad to say, the participation rate and output was greater in the smaller church (30 or so in attendance) than in the mega-church (nearly 1000 attendees).


For the past few Christmases, we have been church-homeless, and I admit that I miss participating in this project. I know that I don't have to be tied into a church to participate, but somehow, it has fallen to the wayside.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Gifts

What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give? Are there specific gift-giving traditions among your family or ancestors?


These days, I pretty much like try to stay with the lists I'm given.  I don't do subtle too well, if there is something you specifically want, you need to tell me about it.  


As for favorite gifts, I'm happy with a good history or genealogy book.  As a kid, one of my most memorable gifts was the year I received a Commodore 64 computer.  It was memorable because not only did I not think I would be getting one, but in the way it was discovered.  We thought all of our presents were done and then I was told there was "one more" - and it was a great surprise.


Traditionally, Eileen and I get each other a calendar every year - mine is usually a Civil War theme, hers is of our dog breed.  My mom still puts tube socks and oranges in our stockings at her house.  The girls always have a big shopping day just before Christmas for new clothes, etc. each year.


I asked mom and dad to share what they remembered :

As a child, I was enjoyed receiving a new doll each year.   My mother usually made me a complete wardrobe of clothes to go with the doll. Once she made me matching clothes.  As an adult, I enjoy giving gifts that I have made especially pies and other goodies and sewn items.     Your dad remembers getting a wooden barn that Paul had made and a metal filling station.   The next year he got a train that he enjoyed.   He's still getting trains for Christmas.   

Advent Calendar : Grab Bag

Author’s choice. Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!


One memory that I have of Christmases past was Christmas caroling with the adults of the First Christian Church in Alexandria, Indiana when I was a youngster.  


I can remember loading up on a bus and driving around, probably to local nursing homes and shut-ins, and singing the traditional Christmas carols.


But what stands out in my mind has nothing to do with Christmas, but instead has to do with one of the adults in the group (who I won't yet name) who lead everyone on the bus with rousing choruses of non-Christmas songs as we drove from place to place.


There is one song in particular that I can still hear him sing today : "My Gal's A Corker".  The lyrics were over my head at the time, but I knew it must have been risque.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Cookies

Did your family or ancestors make Christmas Cookies? How did you help?
Did you have a favorite cookie?

At Christmastime there always seems to be quite a bit of desserts and cookies.  I can remember mom and grandma having cookies at Christmastime.  Today mom still has a "baking day" just before Christmas when my nieces come over and help get ready for the holiday. At my house, my wife and the girls love to have cookies, and I enjoy helping them to eat the cookies.  My favorite cookie is a snicker doodle, though it doesn't have to be Christmas to eat those.

I asked mom to share a bit of her memories about Christmas cookies:

My mother, Bonnie, loved to cook and we always made and decorated cookies at Christmas.    I can remember one year when mom,dad and I painted cookies using egg yolk paint and other embellishments.   It took a lot of time but we were so proud of our tray of beautiful cookies.   One of Bonnie's favorite cookies to make were Pecan Crescents which I receive a request to make them all the time..   Dad loved the snappy turtle cookies. 

Another memorable time was when we had a German foreign exchange student living with us for the year.   Suzanne had brought a German Santa cookie cutter and we made authentic German Santas.    We had a difficult time finding the right spice for it but  luck was with us and we were able to follow her German recipe.

Advent Calendar : Holiday Parties

Did your family throw a holiday party each year? Do you remember attending any holiday parties?


My family would gather together on Christmas Eve at my Grandma Wright's house and then on Christmas Day we would gather at my Grandma LeMaster's. It was a fun time to get together with family. As a kid, the holidays were one of the main times to see my cousins.


As kids, at Grandma Wright's house we would always pose for a family picture. It was a way for the kids to keep track of how tall we were. Grandma Wright had a plastic Santa that had a scroll with a list of each one of our names on it. Today, my parents keep up this tradition with their grandkids.

December 1971

Grandma LeMaster's house was always packed with our large family and there was always a lot of food - plenty of mashed potatoes, noodles, etc. After lunch would be the passing out of presents, then watching sports and falling asleep on the couch.

December 1983

One year that stands out in my memory was a Christmas party which must have been in 1983. My grandmother Wright was very ill, and had been living with us. She wanted to go to Anderson where her sister was having a Christmas party. The weather was blizzard-like conditions, but she was determined that we had to go. Somehow, dad was able to drive us through the drifting snow and bitter cold to my great-aunt's house so we could spend some time with them. I don't remember much about the party other than the fact that weather-wise, we should have stayed home, but the visit made grandma happy. She passed away the next spring.

Advent Calendar : Santa Claus

Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and
“make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Yes, I can remember sending letters to Santa Claus and sitting on his lap.  I believe that there are pictures somewhere out there with each of us on Santa's lap when he visited the local Elks lodge.

As an adult, my perspective on the whole "Santa" concept has changed.  There is too much emphasis on Santa, not enough on Jesus, in my opinion.  Which is one reason why you won't find Santa on our wrapping paper, greeting cards, etc.  We're not militant about it, it's just a choice.  I have no problem with others anticipating the jolly old elf. The song "Where's the Line to see Jesus?" gives my perspective.

My mom gave me the following response to this prompt:

What kid doesn't make a list and/or visit Santa.   I can remember making a list and my mother told she'd mark one off when I was naughty.   So I put the things I wanted the least at the top just in case she marked it off.  

I remember taking my children, Travis, Jason, and Michelle to the Elks to visit Santa Claus.   The one memorable visit to see Santa  was when Jason started the conversation with Santa by saying, "Let me tell you what you forgot to bring me last year!"   It was a toy chain saw which he did received for Christmas.

Yes, I still believe in Santa Claus.   Santa Claus represents to me the spirit of Christmas.  The greatest gift brought to us was Jesus.

My mom and dad enjoy playing Santa and Mrs. Claus for their grandchildren.  I did manage to locate some evidence of their adventures.

Advent Calendar : Outdoor Decorations

Did people in your neighborhood decorate with lights? Did some people really go “all out” when decorating? Any stories involving your ancestors and decorations?


I don't remember anyone in my neighborhood decorating with lights quite like we did.  We lived out in the country, but you could see our house for miles.  Dad really went all out with the lights, the plastic outside decorations, etc.  We had everything from Santa and sleigh up on the roof, the Nativity, Frosty the Snowman, etc.  Not to mention all of the strings of lights along the rooftop of the house and garage.  I remember one year the lights on the garage were left well until springtime.


I haven't tried to keep up this particular tradition, though I imagine I will when I get grandkids.  Right now the only outside lights I use are net lights in the bushes, and I do have a plastic Frosty the Snowman that I inherited a few years ago (see below):


Mom says: 

I don't recall  people decorating as much outside during the 50s and 60s as they do today.    My dad made a star with lights and placed it outside on the chimney but mostly our family decorated the inside of the house. 

 We probably started decorating when Travis was 2 and cried after watching "Frosty the Snowman" because Frosty had melted.   We bought a large snowman and put it outside to show him that Frosty came back and we've been decorating ever since (40+ years).   We enjoy decorating outside with lights mainly for the granddaughters. 

Yes, they gave me Frosty - so I will always know that he's still around.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Cards

Did your family send cards? Did your family display the ones they
received? Do you still send Christmas cards? Do you have any cards
from your ancestors?

This year I'm behind in getting out my Christmas cards - I normally like to have them sent out during Thanksgiving weekend.  We ordered our cards late this year - didn't like what we saw at the store.  So far, the only card we have received has been from my employer. 

I've noticed the number of Christmas cards we receive dwindling each year.

My mom gave a response to this question as well:

My family sent Christmas cards and I can remember my mother especially looking forward to the cards with letters from friends from Colorado and Texas.   These two families were friends from the different bases that Dad was stationed at during WWII .   The couple from Colorado came to visit one summer during the late 50s or early 60s and I can remember them commenting on how green everything was as they came east.  The cards were always displayed somewhere in the house such as around the french door opening.

I send Christmas cards today but not as many as I use to.   I try to send letters to those who I don't see and often include a letter.  I always display them.   I don't save the cards anymore but when I was first married I did.   The kids would use them for craft projects as school or scouts.

The Christmas cards from our ancestors are mainly the beautiful embossed Christmas postcards that were mainly sent by Vera & Clarence Stuber,  Weldon's aunt and uncle.

I've enjoyed scanning the Christmas postcards from the collection of my great-aunt and uncle and displaying them here on the blog.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Tree Ornaments

Did your family have heirloom or cherished ornaments? Did you ever string popcorn and cranberries?  Did your family or ancestors make Christmas ornaments?


I can remember making strings of popcorn for the tree as a kid - it was great fun,  but hard to keep from eating all the popcorn.  Eileen remembers the felt elves that had floppy hats and arms and legs were sort-of sewn together so you could hang them on the tree.  Her mom always liked to have a 'flocked' tree.


I know that my daughter and stepdaughters all have ornaments that they have made as a child that still are hung on the tree.  My mom & dad have purchased ornaments for each of the grandkids with have themes that correlate to what was going on in their lives - 1st Christmas, sports they were in, musical instruments, etc.


I asked my mom and dad what they remembered :

Dad said he strung popcorn as a child once.   I probably did too, but can't remember.   I can't remember as a child our family having any ornaments that were cherished or heirloom, but since my mother did crafts, we probably did make some.  However, as I had my own family,we saved the ones that our kids made at school and still have some.  I made a lot of Christmas ornaments at school and when I was a scout.   I can remember making Santas using toliet paper tubes that were given to the nursing home to put on the patients trays.