Keeping Christmas well - Day 2

At the top of my list of people who knew how to keep Christmas well is my Dad. He and Mother were able to create Christmas magic that I don't think I have been able to completely replicate in our home. He grew up in a humble home. The emphasis at Christmas time was on some special foods, family games and interaction, a small tree and a few gifts. He brought those Christmas values into his own family and added his own special brand of mystery and anticipation as Christmas grew closer each year. Christmas was a highly anticipated event because they made it so special and fun. They put their whole hearts into the careful preparation of the gift giving, the holiday meals and activities.
I remember so well sitting by the large picture windows of our home in Rupert watching for Mom and Dad to come back from Christmas shopping. If they ever had to "run to town" and get a few things or go grocery shopping, many of us kids got to hop into the car and tag along. But not with Christmas shopping. They went by themselves and we knew that special surprises were surely to result from their shopping adventures. I would often listen to the old Christmas records of Nat King Cole, Sing along with Mitch Miller, Julie Andrews and of course the Mormon Tabernacle choir while waiting for them to return. I would try and sneak a peak when they returned and see what they had in the truck, but they were careful and crafty and they protected their secrets well. The anticipation and excitement would just build and build.
Since Dad was a master carpenter, he made many of the gifts he gave us children himself. A rocking horse, a little dish cupboard, baby cradles and such. Mom was an expert seamstress who would actually sew us doll clothes, make us beautiful Christmas dresses and sew whatever else she set her mind to. I loved receiving those home-made gifts.
I remember going into town to pick out the fresh Christmas tree at the little lot behind a small grocery store, not far from our church. For years the fresh tree was set up in the living room. A few years later they began to get a "flocked" Christmas tree that was sprayed with white fake snow that gave it a special ambiance and formality. As the years went by, we would have a color coordinated fancy tree in the living room and a smaller less formal tree in the family room. I can picture many of the ornaments we used to decorate those trees. Remember those Styrofoam balls with macaroni glued to them that were stray painted gold? Classic!
My Mom was an amazing cook. She would prepare a seven course meal and serve it on Christmas eve. Since we would often leave later on Christmas day to travel to Logan/Clarkston to visit the grandparents, she decided to cook her big meal on Christmas eve. And a lovely meal it was, complete with ALL the trimmings. We were expected to come to the meal dress in our Sunday best. A meal that took all day to cook deserved some respect. We would eat on her best china with our best crystal and silverware. It was a classy meal.
Afterward, we would have a Christmas program. Everyone in the family was expected to participate and do something on the program. We could play the piano, read a story, tell a poem, etc. There weren't any singing solos performed since that wasn't our forte, but we enjoyed singing some Christmas carols together and to finish the program, Dad would read the Christmas story out of the Bible.
After the program it was time to get to bed. Santa would be coming and we had to be to sleep so that he could visit our home. Many years there would be a loud knock at the door to let us know that Santa was in our neighborhood and that we'd better get to bed. Some years we could hear the reindeer or see a sparkler on the lawn to show that he was nearby.
Then it was time to get to bed and just lay awake, too excited to sleep. The anticipation was terrible! I'd stay away for hours and hours, or wake up and look at the clock. I'd listen carefully for any unusual noises and have my heart pounding with anticipation!
Finally, early in the morning, around 6:30 or 7:00 am, we would hear the magic words from our Dad - "Good gall, he's been here!!!" The Christmas tree lights would be plugged in and we would run into the room to see our stockings sitting in a chair or on the couch by a pile of gifts from Santa. It was so exciting! As I sit here at a computer all these years later, I can remember those emotions with such clarity!
We would look at our gifts, dump out our stockings and scream and jump for joy! I do believe that this scene brought a lot of happiness and joy to my parents. They would sit (probably exhausted) and watch their seven kids enjoy themselves. As I think of what they did and how they did it, I marvel at their ability to create such magic at Christmas! I'm so grateful to them both. They didn't have a ton of money, but they were so ingenious with what they did have and so generous and thoughtful.
We would then open the wrapped gifts under the tree. We drew names among the children and I remember making many of the gifts I gave my brothers and sisters over the years. I'd try and make something special that I hoped they would enjoy. I'd also made our parents a gift or I would buy some small gift to give to them. I always enjoyed giving them a gift and seeing their faces when they opened it.
My dad had an old movie camera and he would record (without sound) these Christmas morning extravaganzas! We have those movies on DVD now and they are cherished recordings of special memories.
I salute my parents! They truly knew how to keep Christmas well and I love them for it!