Christmas Traditions

Whenever I think about Christmas, I think about how my grandparents knew how to "hold Christmas in their hearts" That is what my Grandpa and Grandma Eastwood did, I think that few have loved Christmas as much as they did. I imagine they loved it for a few different reasons; probably because Christmas made them think of the amazing gift of forgiveness God had given them, through Jesus. I think also that Christmas at it's best, is always a time of giving, and Grandpa and Grandma had very, very giving and loving hearts. A love for Christmas could not help but flow from their hearts, and just touch everyone who was in their lives. I am so grateful that not only was I in their lives, but I was their granddaughter!

They had so many Christmas traditions that I know I could never write about them all, I don't even know if I can recall them all! I remember going to stay with them for Christmas in Rennsalear. They had a cookie cabinet, and before bed we would sit in the kitchen, with milk, and the lights were always a really, nice, soft glow, and then Grandpa would pull out the cookie tins from the cookie cabinet. They would have so many different kinds to choose from, and we would save some and put them on a plate for Santa. Then we would make our beds, with blankets and pillows spread out across the floor in their living room. Grandpa's record player would be there, and he would put the Nutcracker music on so we could listen to it while we fell asleep. Only problem was, we were all too excited about Santa to sleep!  So...the record would play..we wouldn't fall asleep..it would get to the end of the record..Grandpa would get out of bed..start the record over..over and over..all night long!
There were always lots of presents, even though there may not have been lots of money to spend. Grandma Eastwood knew how to make a dollar stretch and bargain shop. She would shop for Christmas all year long, and then then even if she had a small amount to spend on each of us, she still bought us many gifts. There was no gift card giving with Grandpa and Grandma Eastwood, they enjoyed finding something that was specifically suited for each of their family members. Most years, as I grew up, Grandma gave me at least one beautiful doll. She always said, "You can never have too many dolls."

Even on the years we didn't get to see Grandpa and Grandma Eastwood at Christmastime, the traditions continued. Every year, Grandma Eastwood sent each of us a new Christmas ornament, and she would also send us advent calenders.

Christmas with the Bobo side of the family meant, of course, an AMAZING meal. Grandma Bobo. First of all, I don't think she could make anything but a perfect turkey. She would make big, delicious, soft yeast rolls! Oh, I still remember how wonderful they smelled! The whole house smelled good from them for days! There was always a huge pan of potatoes, gravy, maybe some green beans, corn, carrots. What Grandma Bobo did to sweet potatoes, well, it is like nothing else!  For dessert there was Grandma Bobo's pudding pies and Aunt Linda's Texas Sheet Cake. The Bobo Christmas, well, it was not a quiet one, beautifully not quiet. There were grown ups chatting and laughing. Kids running, playing, and yelling. Of course, someone would decide to make Poley bark around. There was teasing and arguing. Bobo's love to tease and argue. Really, we were "discussing" and it was fun. Dad and Uncle Lanny were the best and loudest at "discussing". And Uncle Lanny was the best at teasing. There was music, Christmas music playing that could be heard throughout the house. Sometimes, Grandpa would get out his guitar and play while He, Dad, Mom, Aunt Linda, and Aunt Sherry would sing in perfect harmony, and grandma played the piano.

A very special memory I like to think about each Christmas, was one that involved just me, Grandpa Bobo, and Grandma Bobo. We would get in the car, and Grandpa would drive for hours, finding the best Christmas lights in town. It was such a special time with them, I am so grateful that I had Grandparents that took the time to do that with me. I literally can't look at a Christmas light without thinking of them both and the fun we had looking for lights. I think Grandpa really loved them dearly. Although, he did always remark that he wouldn't like to pay their electric bills at the end of the month.

On Christmas Eve before bed, we would all climb up on Dad's lap and he would read us "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Dad read it with lots of expression. Christmas morning, after we ran downstairs and checked what Santa gave us, we would have cookies for breakfast!  I also appreciate that Mom reminded us each year that it was Jesus' birthday, and she would bake a birthday cake for Jesus'. This really is a great thing to do with kids, it is a physical reminder that Christmas is not about them.

I do love Christmas Traditions! I hope that someday, when my children look back at their past Christmases they will find that I tried to make Christmas special for them, just as my family did for me. I would love to know what your own family does to make Christmas special at your home? What are your families traditions?