Culturess writers on their favorite Christmas moments
Cristine Struble
Growing up, Christmas was a magical experience. While my family was small in numbers, we celebrated on a larger scale. Long before there was an elf on any shelf, my parents had Santa and Rudolph make periodic visits to the house. From the mysterious bells on nights when I didn’t want to sleep to a little red light spotted in the window of my bedroom, the Christmas magic was all around.
When it came to Christmas Day itself, the tradition changed as I got older. As the toys and gadgets faded with age, my family spent more time gathered around the television sharing stories and spending time together. While some families might watch Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life, my family opted for non-traditional movies. Die Hard or even some other action flicks were the popular choice. There is something about watching the good guy prevail that is surprisingly festive.
Now, as I establish Christmas memories with my family, my childhood traditions have blended into new ones. While our family doesn’t watch action flicks, we do watch A Christmas Carol on every Christmas Eve. Now, as my kids have actually read the traditional Charles Dickens work, the old-school movie has a new found meaning. Seeing their understanding of what it means to share the giving spirit with others is a memory that I will always cherish.
Of course, the holiday isn’t filled with serious moments. The biggest laugh always comes from the mad dash to find the holiday pickle. A German tradition is to hide a pickle ornament somewhere on the Christmas tree. The person who finds the hidden pickle receives an extra present. Even though I try my hardest to hide the pickle in a challenging spot, the kids can always find it quickly.
No matter how we spend our holiday, in simple celebration or grand fashion, the time spent together is the most important aspect to any holiday memory. I’m wishing everyone a holiday filled with love, laughter and long lasting memories.