Christmas traditions abound

Today, many of our readers are observing special traditions that may have tied generations of their family together at Christmas time, or are simply a new, yet very beloved activity that makes them feel closer to loved ones during the holiday season.

The Daily American Republic has often in my years with the publication shared some of these treasured moments with our community, and this year I asked both readers and co-workers to share a few of their stories.

Here’s what they had to say.

Reader Jane Stilwell said December is full of reasons and ways to celebrate for her extended family.

“In my 65 years, I have had many special Christmas memories,” Stilwell said. “Growing up, we would host both sides of our families for Christmas.”
She recalls, her family got up early, opened gifts, picked up and began preparing for guests.

“We would have sodas in the house, which was unusual, and family members brought food to help feed everyone,” she said. “Our Grandpa Fairless usually shot the turkey that we ate.”

One holiday tradition, she brought “into my family is to open one gift on Christmas Eve and then the others on Christmas Day. In Georgia, we enjoyed attending Christmas Eve services at midnight. Singing and praising with other believers as Christmas Day began is a special time.”

Stilwell’s favorite memory is to place homemade ornaments on the tree.

“A few favorites have our children’s pictures on them,” she said. “Reflecting on the memories helped make the job of decorating more enjoyable. Finally, another tradition is placing children’s Christmas books on the coffee table for visiting kids and adults to enjoy. As an adult, I enjoy reading the classic Christmas books about the birth of Christ. When I taught, I would add a book each year to the collection.”

Pat Jakylovich said, “When reading your article, what popped to mind was O’Henrys ‘Gift of the Magi.’”

Since high school, Jakylovich has “read this wonderful story every year. Two very poor, in love people give their most precious gifts to please the other ... Reminds me of something from scripture, ‘Silver and Gold I have None, But what I have I give to you!’”

Jakylovich shared another more relevant memory, which took place after the Thanksgiving meal.

“We would pile into the car and head toward the ‘Lighting of the Plaza Lights’ in Kansas City, Missouri. Thousands of people, millions of lights creating a wonderland,” Jakylovich said.

“Rain, snow, ice, cold, nothing stopped us for almost 30 years,” she said.

While making the trek no longer seems an option for Jakylovich, she remarked “but the memories are forever.”

One coworker is looking forward to having Christmas with her family, where they always eat shepherd’s pie on Christmas Eve, have Christmas morning coffee cake and her father reads the Christmas story from Luke.

Another coworker says, Christmas is more fun as a grandparent. His role basically has shifted from the role of parent to grandparent.

This year, our staff members started what they hope will be a new tradition for the DAR, hosting Santa Claus downtown.

The staff members who helped with this year’s event said watching the children’s faces light up as they met Santa Claus and the joy of families who participated in the event was a wonderful way to celebrate with friends and neighbors.

My holiday seems to be different each year, but my decision is to celebrate, whether with family and friends, in a joyful manner.

I challenge everyone to do something special for themselves and for others. Have a special meal, call someone and wish him or her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Barbara Ann Horton is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at bhorton.dar@gmail.com.