Billl, I'm like yourself, I collect Chritmas villages, and have for years, the one year that I was trying to decide if I really wanted to put my village out, I thought our girls, and my husband were going to disown me; they said it just wouldn't be Chistmas if I didn't do the village. So you know what happened, we had a village, and have every year since, and I'm so glad; they were right, it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

BILL, MY GRANDDAD WORKED MAY A CHAIN OUT OF THE OLD POP TOPS OFF SOFTDRINK CANS. IT IS 35 FEET LONG. SILVER ON ONE SIDE AND GOLD ON THE OTHER. AFTER HE PASSED AWAY MY GRANDMOTHER GAVE IT TO ME.. WHAT MEMORIES.

When I got re-married a few years ago, my husband and I decided that we needed to honor some of our old traditions and create some of our own.

When he was kid, Santa brought the LifeSaver storybooks for every person in the house...now he brings them to our house.

My son and I spend one evening before Christmas listening to Christmas music and making cookies for him to give to his dad and his family.

My husband and I created a new tradition the first Christmas we were married. Every Christmas eve, we buy really good ribeye steaks and cook them on the grill....no matter how cold it is outside. It was warm our first Christmas so we had steaks on the grill. The next year, my son said he wanted to do that again, so it became a tradition. My mother-in-law even makes a point of staying with us on Christmas eve so she can enjoy a good grilled steak!

What an honor to moderate such a beautiful collection of Christmas memories! Your thoughts are rich, profound and very personal. I appreciate so much your contributions and the bond we share here.

Bill

In 1976 my first wife, Gail and I bought a Christmas ornament to celebrate our engagement. The next year we bought our first Hallmark ornament to celebrate our first Christmas as a married couple. Every year after that we bought one for that year. When our daughters came we bought one for us and one for each of them. The idea was to let them have their's when they were grown. Gail passed away unexpectedly in 1993 when the girls were 8 and 11, but we have continued the tradition. I remarried and my wife and twin stepsons became part of the tradition. Soon they will be gone and before long they will all take their ornaments, but I know that every Christmas that all of our trees will be decorated with love and memories. That is what makes it Christmas to me, and yes I already have the ornaments. My wife got me a trout ornament to remind me of how much I love the mountains and the solitude of a good trout stream.

I have saved several pictures and Christmas art activities that my girls, now 27 and 20, made in their first couple of years at school. We have Christmas trees, Santas, bells, etc. I had them laminated and every year they go up on my kitchen cabinets. The first year my oldest daughter was married and my youngest was in high school I thought they would not want them up anymore. There was an uprising at my house! Now that I have a granddaughter, I plan to save her things and add them to my collection. Also, since I teach 1st grade, I try to do activities that parents can save and use through the years. It is great to see how much their handwriting has improved and how much better they color now! :)

For my children and grandchildren, I decorate a big tree with lots and lots of lights and ornaments on it. They look forward to it every year. One year, I just didn't want to go through the hassel of putting up the big tree, and to my surprise the children and granchildren were so disappointed. It never realized how important my having a big tree meant to them. Now, it's not a hassel putting it up, in fact it's my gift to them with love. Just to see their smiles.

I have hand painted wooden ornaments (done by me!!) that I put on the Christmas tree that are 35 years old. It wouldn't be the same unless those ornaments adorn the tree! I will pass these on to our daughter when the time comes.

I have to agree with mamejohnston1- for me, it wouldn't be Christmas without sitting around as an extended family on Christmas Eve and hearing the Christmas story from the Bible. My grandpa used to read it, but since he has passed away my dad does. What a great time, to sit around with full bellies after much food and family, and have that awesome fellowship!

It puts everything into perspective after a season of parties, and hustle and bustle, and stress...LOVE IT!

Christmas mugs that sing a tune when lifted from the table.

That sounds so fun...any chance of knowing where to find such a unique thing??

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