Holiday Traditions

I want to start by posting this link to a Chicken Soup for the Soul story. You can read the story here. Its called The Giving Trees. We have a similar program here but its called Angel Tree.
It has tin soldiers for boys and angels for girls on it.


While growing up we werent poor, but werent rich either. Momma always worked and it seamed like there was just enough money to pay the bills and get the things we needed, with no money left over for the things that we wanted.

As most kids do we always said when we grow up things will be different when we have kids. Thats where this post starts my holiday traditions.

I got married in June and in August I turned 19. Our first Thanksgiving and Christmas was spent with Dales parents and his family at his parents house. The years after that both holidays were spent at our house with both sides of the family invited. Most of my family came since they lived close. Some of Dales family who lived close came. Sometimes his sister who lives in Texas came in for Christmas. His parents always came until they passed away.

I had never cooked a turkey before and my first down home family Thanksgiving, I got up early. Made stuffing the way momma always did. Stuffed the bird and put it in the oven to bake. Went back to bed and got up later to make the dinner. The hot rolls I had planned on making and serving turned out hard as rocks. I threw them out and hurried up and made homemade biscuits for dinner. The turkey was moist and golden brown. The rest of the dinner came out good. We all had a good time.

For both holidays after that first Thanksgiving dinner, we had family come to our house. I did most of the cooking. Family members often brought desserts. All I ask them to bring was themselves and what ever they wanted to drink that was non alocholic. I so looked forward to spending the holidays with family. Up until a couple of years ago that was our holiday tradition for this time of year.

Momma was in a nursing home a couple of years ago and we brought her home for Thanksgiving and Christmas to my youngest sisters house. We both cooked the dinner together. My daughter Nicki cooked a ham and brought it. I did the turkey and stuffing and took it. My sister Granda and her daughter Cassie, did most of the rest of the dinner with Nicki and I helping out. Most of our immediate families were there. We had a good time, good food and that was the last time that we got to spend the holidays with momma. After that Christmas she passed away in February.

Thanksgiving this past year was spent at home with Dale, Nicki and the boys. Christmas this year will be spent with them. The boys are going to their dads on Christmas Eve and home with Nicki on Christmas Day. I will do the cooking, will babysit the boys when Nicki has to leave to go to work. Dale will most likely have to work also. But the best part is that they wont have to work till after dinner.

Momma is gone but not forgotten. She gave us some great memories and started some lasting traditions in our family. I hope that you have your own traditions to pass down to those you love.

May your holiday season be a happy and peaceful one in your own little part of the world.