Christmas Eve

The best hands-down was the yearly town Christmas eve program when we lived in Woodstock NY from 1957-1967. Residents gathered on the village green and sang carols, ending with "Here Comes Santa Claus" accompanied by lights from firetrucks searching the sky for the arrival of Santa - from a different rooftop every year, once coming down a church steeple by rope! The stockings Santa then handed out to all the children were great, but even as children, my brothers and I somehow knew the experience was even better.

Christmas Sweethearts

Christmas & deceased relatives

Christmas Music

Christmas music has always been a huge part of our holidays, starting with the car radio Dad whistled & sang to while driving, and home radio Mom played during housework, through school & band programs, church, & TV specials.

The best hands-down was the yearly town Christmas eve program when we lived in Woodstock NY from 1957-1967. Residents gathered on the village green and sang carols, ending with "Here Comes Santa Claus" accompanied by lights from firetrucks searching the sky for the arrival of Santa - from a different rooftop every year, once coming down a church steeple by rope! The stockings Santa then handed out to all the children were great, but even as children, my brothers and I somehow knew the experience was even better.

In 6th grade, we were rehearsing "We Three Kings" when learning that President Kennedy had been shot and died... Time has blunted the pain of this event, except when hearing this carol, which brings back as if it happened just yesterday.

... missed one

Christmas Shopping

Growing up in Woodstock NY, Christmas shopping was done by catalog and in nearby Kingston, and at least one Saturday drive to Montgomery Wards in Albany where our aunt lived nearby - and would entertain us kids so our parents could shop and talk without extra eyes & ears around.

Although my parents were born & raised in Manhattan, and we visited & shopped there at other times during the year, I don't remember doing around Christmas - perhaps because New York relatives came to visit us over the holidays and could deliver anything desired?

While we kids hated crowds, as did our dad, we did love the Christmas decorations and music in the stores, and later, malls, when not mobbed.

Christmas Stockings

As far back as I can remember, these were knitted by Mom and replaced frequently, as she loved to knit & was always finding new patterns she wanted to try.

Even more exciting were the new mittens she made us every year, color-coordinated to our winter coats, of which best were a series of hand-puppet-like animals - we remember mice, raccoons, whales, horses, donkeys.

She also crocheted wonderful Christmas decorations, including these snowflakes for the windows, and stockings for the tree.

Grab bag

Christmas at School

My earliest recollection on this topic is a 1st grade art project, decorating a blown-out light bulb brought from home, as Santa's head, to hang on the Christmas tree. I proudly hung this on our family tree for several years, until it broke. Looking back, it's a wonder it lasted that long - and that 1st graders were allowed to craft with and carry light bulbs to & from school!

My next recollection is learning to sing carols in 7th grade German class - the words to "Silent Night" (Stille Nacht) come to mind easily, after all this time - and although I've forgotten so much else (perhaps I should have put the rest to music?)

Holiday Happenings

We have a couple of sad anniversaries during the holidays: the death of my dad last year on November 30, just a couple of hours after my brother's birthday November 29. And the death of my mother's dad on January 1, just after her engagement.

Fruitcake

... missed one

Holiday charitable work

Knitted hats & filling stockings for Salvation Army

Other Traditions

Gifts

What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give? Are there specific gift-giving traditions among your family or ancestors?

Grab bag

Christmas Cookies

Did your family or ancestors make Christmas Cookies? How did you help? Did you have a favorite cookie?

Holiday Parties

Santa Claus

Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and “make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Outdoor Decorations

Growing up in the Catskills, our biggest outdoor decoration was snow.

Christmas Cards

Did your family send cards? Did your family display the ones they received? Do you still send Christmas cards? Do you have any cards from your ancestors?

Christmas Tree Ornaments

Did your family have heirloom or cherished ornaments? Did you ever string popcorn and cranberries? Did your family or ancestors make Christmas ornaments?

Holiday Foods

The Christmas Tree

Real was the only kind available when we were children, but even with the introduction of artificial trees, ...