Christmas is my favorite holiday. (And yes I hear everyone collectively sighing and thinking, “That’s so cliché.”)
Not that the other holidays are any less important, especially those that celebrate our veterans and being thankful.
There’s an Elvis song entitled, “If Every Day Was Like Christmas,” and it always brings a tear to my eye when I hear Elvis croon, “what a wonderful world this would be.”
For me, it’s definitely not about the gifts anymore. However, when I was a child, there were times when I wished my parents had not purchased that educational “toy.”
Christmas is about being together with your family and friends and creating lasting memories.
For some reason, during the holiday season, most people walk around with a bounce in their step and a smile on their face.
My other favorite part about Christmas is the traditions that my family and I practice.
When I was a child, it was the Christmas Eve drive to see the Christmas lights that lit up neighborhood houses.
A big favorite, and one I am most often lovingly cajoled for, is our Christmas Eve viewing of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Every year, I have to call my Dad to ensure he knows the location of the DVD. (We’ve had problems in the past where it’s gone missing either the day before Christmas Eve or that evening).
My Dad makes a big pot of hot eggnog, which is my Paw Paw’s recipe. We all sit around together sipping our nog with the lights from the Christmas tree twinkling in the background.
After we have heard Jimmy Stewart proclaim, “I want to live again,” and Clarence earns his wings, we head to bed.
The next morning, following our exchange of gifts, my dad (who is a wonderful chef) whips up a batch of fresh beignets.
I will never tire of these traditions. I have cherished them for as long as I can remember.
It is my hope that all parents either start new or share current traditions that their children will remember for a lifetime, just as I do.