Christmas Traditions

Why do we look forward to Christmas?  Because we have fond memories of Christmas Past.  What makes Christmas memorable?  The enjoyable activities that we repeat year after year, or our traditions.  Here are a few of the traditions that make Christmas Memorable for our family.

Hugs and Kisses.  Less than a year after we were married, DH and I moved across the country from our families, so when our children were young, we usually spent Christmas without extended family close by.    One year Grandma sent us a wonderful gift of Hugs and Kisses, candy ones that is, strung onto a wooden heart bearing this cute little verse.  Every year since then we have reloaded the kisses so that each night after family prayers we can each enjoy a kiss or a hug before going to bed.  As our children have left home for college and missions and to begin their own families, we have sent them off with their own hugs and kisses to count down the days of December until Christmas Day.




Christmas Music.  Another year when our children were young, we were out shopping near the beginning of the Christmas Season when we came across several copies of this book of Christmas songs, published by the Willis Music Company.  We bought all of the copies the store had, and another family Christmas Tradition was born.  Some years we have sung Christmas songs together almost every night. Other years we only are able to sing together once or twice a week, but we always sing on Christmas Eve.  Each family member usually gets to choose one or two of their favorites.  Throughout the years various members of the family have been involved in different musical groups with school, church or the community, and some years we have had 3 or more different Christmas Concerts to attend.  We begin listening to Christmas music right after Thanksgiving, and enjoy it all through the month of December. 

Cards and letters. In these days of blogs and facebook we have the pleasure of interacting with many of our friends and relatives on a regular basis, even those who live far distances from us, but the once a year exchanging of Christmas cards and letters is one of our favorite traditions.  There's nothing quite like getting a beautiful card, letter, and/or photo of loved ones that you can display and enjoy throughout the Christmas Season.  Hopefully those who receive our cards and letters enjoy receiving them as much as we do!


Selecting and Giving of Gifts  are other traditions that we enjoy.  Whether it's taking the little ones to the dollar store where they can choose a toy for each of their brothers and sisters, or watching the thrill of secretly shopping and selecting nicer gifts as they get older and are earning a bit of money on their own, trying to find something to please those you love is an important part of our holiday season. 


Baking Treats for neighbors and Santa (and ourselves)  of course is another tradition that we enjoy.  Some years we have done the hand-dipped tuffles and cherrie chocolates and pretzles.  Some years we've done fudge, english toffee, butter mints or caramels.  Some years we've made gingerbread men to put on the tree.  We usually bake bread for the neighbors, and sugar cookies for Santa, and Croissants for Christmas morning. 

Remembering Jesus Christ

One of the highlights of my Christmas Season is setting out our Nativity Scenes.  This one is the first one that I bought for our family years ago, and it usually has a place of honor on the fireplace mantle.  Throughout the years we have bought or received several others as gifts from friends, and enjoy having them all displayed.   The Nativity Scenes are a reminder that amid the Santas and Snowmen and glitter and glitz, the true meaning of  Christmas for us is a time to remember God's Gift of His Son to mankind.  We take the time each Christmas Eve to read the story of his birth from the Bible, and to ponder on the message of his life and atonement.  I also find it a comfort to read that the people living in America were also aware of our Savior's birth and life in Jerusalem.  This month I am making the point of reading about the Book of Mormon Prophets Samuel and Nephi, who prophesied of the Savior's birth.  Few at that time believed, but imagine the joy of those who knew and recognized the signs given at the time of his birth: 

"And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day.  And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.  And it came to pass also othat a new star did appear, according to the word." 
       3 Nephi 1:19, 21
      The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ pg. 408

Yes, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Savior and Reedeemer, did come to earth.  He showed us the way.  He is the light of the world.  He suffered for our sins and our sorrows and our weakness.  He will come again.  The prophets have testified.  And we can believe.


What are your Christmas Traditions?