Family Traditions: A Christmas Story and What the Holiday Means to Me

For me, the holiday season begins the weekend before Thanksgiving. This is usually the time when our local radio stations begin to broadcast around-the-clock Christmas songs, televisions hum with the holiday promises of big savings on that special gift and the mailbox begins to find itself stuffed to the brim with catalogs full of roasted nuts and seet chocolates.

One or more of the above usually brings groans from most. A mere mention often sets visions of mobbing crowds and empty wallets dancing in their heads. However, this is part of the holiday to me. From that weekend through Christmas Day I listen only to Christmas music. I enjoy watching the Christmas commercials though they usually do not prompt me into spending more money. I look forward to perusing the Figi's or Swiss Colony catalogs filled with Christmas goodies. These things are just the beginning, the signal of the start of a month full of activities.

During that same weekend my family begins watching Christmas movies every evening. Each year we have a number of movies that we watch but we also try to add new things into our viewing schedule. From classics to more modern fare, a little bit of everything is enjoyed in the comfort of our living room. This year we have started collecting our favorite movies on DVD so we can enjoy them every year regardless of whether they are aired on our local television channels. My favorite films are "White Christmas," "A Smoky Mountain Christmas" and "A Mom for Christmas." I also love to watch all the Rankin Bass television specials.

Once the Thanksgiving turkey is carved and eaten the Christmas decorating begins. This can take as long as a week to complete. We have one large traditional Christmas tree that stands before our large window in the living room and also a medium-sized tree in our den. Throughout the house you'll find small trees that stand by our fireplace and on our side tables. There are miniature trees in each bathroom and on our computer desks. The soft white glow of clear lights and the shine of golden ornaments combined with the dark burgundy and evergreen colors brings such a warmth to our home.

Our mantel is lined with an army of nutcrackers standing guard over our stockings, one for each family member and each of our lovely dogs, hung by the chimney with care. In every nook and cranny and on every tabletop you will find a snowman, angel or some other lovely trinket. By the living room door sits our large old television set, long retired from use, adorned with a splay of poinsettias and Old World Santa Clauses. By the Christmas tree is a favorite my own and all who visit, a collection of Rankin Bass' "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" plush toys and figurines almost too large to be contained on the armchair in which they rest. My family has collected all of these Christmas treasures through our many holidays together and each things holds a memory.

Closer to Christmas Eve the cooking begins. We start a few days before the big day by preparing all of our hors d'oeuvres. While we always have a traditional Thanksgiving feast in November, Christmas is reserved for a family buffet. We still serve some traditional favorites, such as ham and hot buttered rolls, but the majority of our dining will be appetizers. You'll find a little bit of everything on our holiday table, from spinach quiche and seasoned goat cheese to bacon puffs and handmade pizza rolls. For desert we usually have miniature cakes and pies in several different flavors. My mother, a lifelong devotee of the Food Network, prides herself on finding new and delicious appetizers to add to our menu each year. Late Christmas Eve night, once we have all had our fill of tasty treats, we all settle in for our traditional viewing of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

On Christmas morning we open no presents. A few years ago we made a group decision to change the way we do Christmas. Instead of giving to each other, we each choose a charity close to our heart and donate to the less fortunate the money that would have been spent on Christmas gifts. Being able to give is what makes me happiest at Christmastime.

To me, Christmas is not about one day or how many presents are under the tree. It is an entire month filled with food and fun with family. It's about feeling the warmth of coming home to a decorated winter wonderland of your very own. It's about the little things that put a smile on your face. Most of all, it's being able to share your happiness and cheer with everyone that you can.