Christmas 1997, my daughter was almost 17 and like most teens desperately wanted a new car. I was a single parent and told her I couldn't possibly afford a new car for her but that after the first of the new year we would go look for a used car for her. Christmas morning we get up, open all our presents, have a little breakfast, all is good. After a couple of hours I tell her I'm taking the dog for a walk, I take the dog around the back of the house where I had parked her brand new car the day before, put a HUGE bow on top and drive the car around to the front of the house, I then walk back in the house and plead with her to please walk the dog with me...she begrudgingly puts some clothes on to go for a walk with me...we start to walk out the front door and I tossed her a set of keys and said "Merry Christmas". I can still hear the sound of joyful screaming and see the smile on her face.

The northern skies. When there was no snow and you could actually see the sky.

I bought a tree ornament at a craft show, made of a Milk Bone (doggie cookie treat shaped like a bone) and put it in the middle of the tree.

Our basenji was 8-9 months old, climbed the tree, and destroyed the ornament.

She was a good basenji, showing us how bad, in a comical way, this breed can be. She also taught us what we later heard very often, basenjis are dogs for people who like cats!

On our first Christmas in our first home, my husband and I (ok just me) decided to splurge on some expensive glass ornaments. After the tree was up and decorated we sat down to a cozy dinner for two by candlelight. While toasting our accomplishment a loud noise was heard in the other room. Much to our horror, the cat had climbed up in the tree and it came crashing down breaking many of my newly prized possessions. I could have cried, but never laughed harder. The next year hubby bought the most industrial strength tree stand I have ever seen - now a mountain lion could climb in our tree without taking it down. Now every time I see the stand, I think of that first Christmas.

My father worked for Public Transit which is a 24/7 job and he only had Christmas off every couple of years. He never complained and always understood how this allowed everybody to have this special time off with their families every few years. The one thing I always will remember is whether he worked an extra and arrived home at 4:00am or came in at 6:00am after driving all night, if we (one of four girls) got up early on Christmas morning, he would play Santa and hand out our presents. He always was smiling and happy on Christmas morning and would share in our excitement of opening presents whether he had slept or not! We always waited to have our Christmas dinner with Dad until his shift ended, even if it was after 9:00pm that night because my Mother always made us appreciate how hard Dad worked and how special he was. That respect and appreciation for each other remained their whole married life together.

Watching Mom roll & cut homemade pasta on her big wooden board and using a long wood 'rolling pin' my dad had made for her, then I'd straighten out the strands; changing the water every day for 5 days, that was used to soak the lipini beans; watching Mom, Dad & my sister clean squid - not a pleasant task - it wasn't available cleaned in the 'old days.'

My boys were about 6 and 8. My parents lived next door to us, who have now passed on. I waited until the boys went to bed and called my father (this was in the 1980's before cell phones and texting).. He dressed in a Santa suit and carried large bells for ringing. Went to their bedroom window and hid so that all they could see was his arm. He rang the bells and disguised his voice telling them Merry Christmas and that he would return when they were asleep, using their names. They ran into the living room with wide eyed excitement not quite sure what to do. The 6 year old ran back to his room and dove through the air head first into the foot of his bed. PRICELESS!!! My boys are now 32 and 34.

26 years ago: we had tickets to go see my husband's family with our 6-week old daughter: it SNOWED for the 1st time in 100 years! Our flight was canceled. So, we headed back home (a normal 45 min drive took 3-hrs!)….we spent it pend up in our house (luckily we had a fire place!). We took pics of our daughter under the tree in a tiny red dress, laying on a blanket to resemble snow. Will always cherish it…..

When I was a kid at Grandma and Grandpa's little tiny house with all the relatives jammed into it, with all the laughter and food waiting for Santa Clause to arrive at the door, and of course the presents stacked to the ceiling for him to hand out. I miss that.

When I was a little kid in Switzerland we used to decorate our tree with chocolate ornaments. I must have been restless early one Xmas morning-I went down to the tree and proceeded to eat my way around the bottom of the tree.The upper ornaments were hard to reach. I had to tug on the branches to access the nutrition. One hard tug finally brought the tree down. I decided to abandon the project and went back to bed.

When my dad saw the carnage he knew instantly who the perpetrator was. I'm experiencing a memory block for how the rest of the morning went for me!

I can't quite remember how old my son was, but he was at the age I thought he shouldn't believe in Santa any more. So I talked to him about it the day after Christmas. He looked at me quite seriously and said that he hadn't believed for several years but didn't tell us because I looked like I was having so much fun putting gifts under the tree in the middle of the night!

Many
years ago I was teaching in a small rural school where I was the only high
school English teacher. This meant that
I frequently taught siblings who were in different grades. As Christmas approached one year, I assigned my restless students
an unannounced, in-class essay on “The Best Christmas I Ever Had.” Predictably, most students recalled receiving
special gifts ranging from four wheelers to new cars to their first horse. It was fun to share in their excitement, but
the essays that touched my heart came from three siblings (two boys and a girl)
who recalled a Christmas when they were very young. Their recollections were
almost identical and I knew they had not discussed their responses in advance because the assignment was unannounced.
Here is the story they shared with me.

Their
father was a long haul truck driver, and the entire family was heart-broken
that Daddy couldn’t be home for Christmas.
All three of them remembered the joyful surprise when they woke up at
four AM on Christmas morning to the sound of the horn on his 18 wheeler. Daddy had driven an empty truck all day and
night with no sleep to make it home to see his wife and babies on
Christmas. None of them seemed to
remember what Santa left under the tree that year. When I became a parent a few years later, I
knew I wanted to make the memories more important than the gifts. Yes, teachers often learn from their
students. And yes, I am in tears again
as I recall those three students and their loving parents.

One year on Christmas Eve when I was in my late teens my mom sent me out to find a Christmas tree. I found a silver tip for about $5.00! My mom was allergic to live trees and would only allow it in the house for one day, Christmas day.

That same Christmas Eve we had no electricity and we couldn't bake the potatoes. So I was sent to my aunts mothers house in the next town to bake the potatoes. We always grilled steak on Christmas Eve. So again I was sent to town to find briquettes. No one had briquettes for sale in the middle of winter except for a mini mart!

My cousins husband also dressed as Santa and ran around the trees for the little ones excitement!

That year Christmas Eve was one of my favorites as we had lots of family over and everything turned out just great!

Merry Christmas to all!

My fondest Christmas memory was when I was 9 years old. There were 5 brothers and sisters so money was always tight around Christmas for gifts, much less for decorations. One day my mother gathered us and asked us to help her create a Christmas village and a Nativity scene with materials found around the house such as brown paper, small boxes, cartons, small mirrors, green papers, cotton (for snow) and more. We painted small boxes to look like small houses, used cardboard as roofs. The brown paper, painted green, served as the slope of a mountain, mirrors were lakes, trees were made with green papers and so on. To this day, whenever I see a Christmas Village I can't help but reminiscence about our village. What I loved about that December was the fact we got to spent real time with my mother. It was not the gifts, the foods, or the music. With this activity, she also managed to awakened our inner child's creative side and let our imagination run free.

Our parents were from the West Indies but embraced all things American for us kids. Santa and Christmas trees were foreign to them. Our dad worked 3 jobs and money was always tight. However we got our tree on Christmas Eve because that's when Daddy and my uncle could go out and score a big beautiful tree for free! Christmas morning we got up early and went to church at 6:00 AM. Then it was home to decorate the tree. It was our Dad's day off and we spent the morning decorating the tree and baking all manner of caribbean pastries he had learned to bake growing up. Born out of poverty, it became our family tradition even after we could afford a tree earlier. We all continue the tradition with our kids to this day. However we have long since traded the early morning service for Christmas Eve. 6:00 AM is ok on a sunny island but brutal in cold New England.

Christmas with my REAL Dad, us 6 kids only got 1 present each. After his death in 1969 my mother remarried in 1970 .She married the most wonderful man that I have always since called DADDY!!! Walking in to the front room on Christmas morning was an ABSOLUTE DREAM!!! Daddy had handmade cradles and other doll furniture for my sister and I. He made jewelry boxes for my mom and 2 oldest sisters, and my brothers got their first shot guns. The ENTIRE front room was laid out from wall to wall!! The presents that have ALWAYS meant the most to me are the ones that my parent made!!! They just had their 45th wedding anniversary!!!

We lived in a 2 story house. When we woke up early.. we'd sneak to the top of the stairs and wait for Mom/Dad to wake up. We snickered and whispered and I'm sure they heard us earlier but probably just wanted to listen to us! The rule was " not allowed downstairs until Mom turned on the tree lights" So... we waited. To my knowledge..none of the 5 of us ever broke that rule! Mom and Dad didn't have much money but we got 1 thing that we really wanted and the other things were surprises and yes.. we even were excited if we got socks/underwear! I always looked forward to finding the orange in the toe of my stocking! I still have my Barbie and Tressie dolls from the 60's. I have made them various costumes over my adult years so.. I've had many years of fun with them. I'm 57!

Although I have lots of great childhood memories, having a grandchild is the best! The excitement of our 3 year old granddaughter is priceless. It is so very special having a kiddo in the house at Christmas!!! It helps us to remember what the holiday is all about.

When I was growing up we lived in southern Ca. My dad worked two jobs but money was scarce. When I was five
I wanted a bike. My dad must have spent many hours refurbishing an old bicycle. He painted it silver and I remember
Riding it through the neighborhood, not even being able to sit on the seat. (To big for me). That was a gift of love.
We weren't a huge family but, grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins were so important. Sitting around my grandmothers piano singing. Great memories
Every year is different now. Some cousins are still here.
We have created new experiences but, I relish the past!
Happy Holidays and to all a good night.

Heartwarming to read how little money many of our parents had and yet how much they managed to give - the best memories of all.

I grew up with five siblings and money was tight. I'll always remember the Christmas when my moms dear friends of little means donated $100 to my parents. When we woke up and saw FIVE brand new bikes on Christmas Morning, it was priceless! Best memory because we ALL got a bike. Being the fourth of five, nearly everything was a hand-me-down up to that point (age 8) Just couldn't believe it. Their daughter is my godmother and I reminded her of my memory and her parents' kindness this past year!

I must start with the fact that my Dad died when I was 5, and my Mom when I was 15. The Christmas I was 4, it was family tradition (Scandinavian heritage) to put the tree up on Christmas Eve. That evening Mm (older) brother and I were sent upstairs to "nap" with the promise of being woken up when Santa arrived. I was never a "napper", and was awake when I heard my Mom say to my Dad "Slam the front door, and I will go upstairs & tell the kids they just missed Santa." I never admitted to hearing that, but I am now 69, and still remember that Christmas.

I'm Jewish, but my husband and children are Catholic. Finally one Christmas my Jewish mother agreed to visit and watch her 3 grandchildren enjoy the holiday. She came to mass with us and walked her grands down to the front to see the manger. She didn't say much until we got home and then she said, "Baby Jesus, baby Jesus is that all you all can talk about?" I started to laugh and so did she. She has been dead for over 20+ years and my daughter and I still say those words and laugh.

In the 60's my parents bred Shetland Sheepdogs and had a special affinity for Black & Whites. My father had a bad heart and suffered a serious heart attack just before Christmas. We were so grateful to bring him home to be with us on our favorite holiday, Christmas. I remember him sitting cross-legged in his brown checked robe on the floor under the tree. He was weak but happy as the children received gifts from his hands. His turn came. A large box was pulled out and placed in front of him. I will never forget the joy and surprise on his face when he lifted the lid and a tiny black and white Sheltie popped up, took one look at him, and began to kiss his nose. Yes, THAT I will never forget...

Can I have a 2nd Favorite? My parents and siblings and I loved everything about Christmas, from the Mid-night Mass, the hot chocolate, music, and gifts. When I married & discovered my mother-in-law saw it all as "pagan", I really didn't want to hurt her conscience and hoped in time I could show her it was innocent and lovely. Confused about her arguments I decided not to push her and did not celebrate for her sake for 3 years. By the 4th Christmas I had 2 small children and felt "ok, they won't miss it at these ages". I thought I could break the lady down by the next year. A lady from m-i-laws same church visited, was unusually quiet. The next day she invited me for coffee @ her home. She begged me not to be offended and showed me a 4 foot tree and several wrapped presents. "Please", she said, "I don't want to make you feel bad but when I realized you weren't able to give the children Christmas, I just had to do this". Not wanting her to know my true conflict, I let her think it was because I couldn't afford Christmas and took everything home gratefully. The biggest gift she gave was that of such a loving heart. AND, she set me free to celebrate again the true heart of the day, God's love and mercy.

I love singing contemporary and 'ancient' classic Christmas carols with my family--delicate harmonies, often a cappella. My young adult children play guitar, saxophone, flute, and piano -- and the grandparents, who sing beautifully join in. It's a simple pleasure that bonds our hearts together! My son lives in S. Korea and sometimes makes us a singing Christmas video when he can't make it home for the holidays -- comforting. I often re-play this fond memory of my sweet son playing 'Mary Did You Know.' :)

On a particular Christmas morning my two sisters and I were called downstairs by our parents to start our Christmas celebration. As we excitedly ran into the living room, our eyes traveled from the lit tree, to the crackling fire in the fireplace, to the formerly flat, now lumpy stockings hanging from the mantel. But the most amazing thing was a doll house sitting in the middle of the floor. It was an exact replica of our actual home. In awe, we zipped over to look inside. Each room had tiny furniture in it, and the house came complete with very small people who were sitting on teensy chairs.

Our grandfather had skillfully built this beautiful doll house by hand, complete with interior walls that could be moved around to create new rooms. A few years later when I was in 6th grade and learning about electric currents in science class, I wired the dollhouse (with my Pop's help) and added a little ceiling light to each room. The circuit ran on a 6-volt battery hidden in the attic. Such a wonderful toy that was!

I was 3 when my dad came home from France after WWII. Christmas Eve I stayed with my grandparents while my parents trimmed the tree. They turned out the lights and turned on the tree just as I came in. I'd never seen a Christmas tree before; I guess we didn't have them due to the war. I don't know if I truly remember the tree lights but I definitely am warmed by the memory of the trouble my parents took to surprise and delight me.

Oh, my....when I was a little girl, in the '50s, we lived in a double house...mama, daddy and I, upstairs.....grandpap, two aunts, a cousin and an uncle, downstairs....FULL house. I remember so fondly coming home from school that last day before Christmas vacation began....stamping the snow from my boots inside the back hall and smelling the heavenly aroma of the peanut butter cookies my aunts were baking! Of course, I HAD to stop in for a 'taste test'! I can see it in my mind's eye like it was yesterday! Merry Christmas, all...hope you have memories to treasure, too!

A family lived in the front of my grandmother's house (that my parents had made into a duplex) and shortly before Christmas the mother died. The father was working hard and having trouble keeping up with everything, so he told his two kids that after he got paid Christmas Eve day, they'd rush off to K-Mart (which was usually open until 9 o'clock) and buy everything they needed for a good Christmas. But he got home at 6 o'clock and then discovered because it was Christmas Eve, K-Mart closed early that day at 6 o'clock! Fortunately my mother and brother stopped by to drop off some small gifts and saw the situation. Next thing my brother climbs a tall chain link fence to "liberate" an unsold tree from a closed lot and takes it home to our house where it was decorated with some of the excess stuff on our tree and some quick home-made ornaments and chains. Then we gathered up a bunch more giftable-quality things, wrapped them and sent them with the tree and a big plate of Christmas cookies to the family. Now my mom is gone and my brother is in the hospital acute care, but I'll see him over the holidays and remind him of the story and I'm sure we'll all smile.

When I was about 10, my beloved cat disappeared after Thanksgiving. We lived near a college renowned for its biology program - and the whole family was in mourning for the weeks before Christmas. It snowed Christmas night - just enough to leave a clean new blanket of snow. We came downstairs to the tree and a little miracle. Calico was picking his way thru the snow to come home. I have no idea what else I got for that Christmas - but oh that big orange cat.

Our best Christmas Eves began when we realized one year we had 10 friends who had no family nearby. So, with the enthusiastic approval of my parents, we invited all of them and anyone they cared to bring along out to the ranch for an evening of good cheer, homemade soups, French bread, wine and home-baked goodies. On our way to that first gathering, my 10-year-old son and I spotted a station wagon with a flat tire stranded in the highway median about two miles from the ranch. A woman with six children said her husband was rolling their flat spare to the next town (11 miles away) to get it filled. They had another 130 miles to go. We found him and drove him to the ranch where Dad filled his tire and drove him back to his family. After Dad slipped in to tell us he was driving him back and then left, I noticed gaps on the table where there had been a tray of sandwiches, a platter of cookies and a bottle of wine. Dad often said nothing ever made him feel better than the chance that night to help a stranger.

Since most everyone we know is a musician, that first evening became a sing-a-long that lasted into the wee hours. Fond and funny stories from those evenings are still staples around our holiday table today.

A guest that first evening burst through the front doors proclaiming "Welcome to Widows and Orphans Night at the Fanoses!" The whimsical name stuck and my parents hosted another ten Widows and Orphans Nights on Christmas Eves until they retired and left the ranch. We carry on the tradition still at my house on Christmas Day with guests far from their families and extra place settings at the ready, hoping for surprise guests dropping in to further enrich our holiday.

I hope you don't mind if I add another memory or two. My Mom was sewing and dropped a button and asked me to get it. I was about 3 or 4. I shouted "there's dollies under the bed" . She had forgotten they were there and had to figure out something else from Santa.

When my son was 3 we were out driving around looking at lights. One display was Santa and the reindeer life size . We stopped and he started singing Rudolph, and he said "....and if you ever saw it you would even say it blows". Haven't been able to sing it any other way since that day 32 yrs ago!!

I have enjoyed reading everyone's memories and they have triggered many memories for me. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season however you celebrate.

I have so many, but the one that came to me when I saw the question was having my daughter. (She just turned 5 yesterday, the 22nd ~sniff~)

I had to have an emergency c-section with my son so we scheduled it for my daughter. We laughed and joked with the docs and nurses through the surgery and welcomed her precious scream into a happy room.

I was insistent that I would be home Christmas Eve so that our new family would wake up together there Christmas morning. Late Christmas Eve, about 10:30, we drove home with snow on the ground. We didn't celebrate Christmas until the 26th (our son was only 3 and I was exhausted), but I had my new family at home on Christmas morning. The best gift a mother could ever receive!

Playing games and reading books with the children. Christmas tree lights on and if cold enough the fireplace will be on as well.

Watching my kids who are now adults tear into their Christmas loot left in these stockings. Even as adults they're still thrilled by what inexpensive little trinket I put in them.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all and your loved ones.

Not my "best" Christmas, but certainly a wonderful Christmas memory. My soldier husband left for the Vietnam War on November 28, 1970. I was just 20 years old. Our first child was born the next day, so hubby didn't get to be there for the delivery or to meet her. Our daughter and I spent Christmas eve with my in-laws who spent the evening lamenting how THEY were cheated because their son was not there for Christmas. I kept a smile plastered on my face, but cried all the way back to my apartment. Just as I got to my home, Karen Carpenter came on the radio singing "Merry Christmas, Darling", and I sat in the car with my baby listening to the song and reminiscing. Just as the song ended, there was a knock on my car window. It was my next-door neighbor. He had returned from Vietnam to his wife and 2 sons just a few months before. He took my hand to get me out of the car, took the baby from her car seat and took us into my apartment. He had only met my husband once, but instead of using the impersonal "your husband" when speaking of him always spoke of my husband by name. He put the sleeping baby in her crib, and sat with his arm around me on my couch and just held me. There was nothing sexual about it...it seemed to help soothe his post-war pain as much as it helped soothe my emptiness with my husband at war. After I don't know how long, he stood up, told me to get the baby and come over to his apartment where his wife was finishing up wrapping Christmas gifts and he was putting together a bicycle for his oldest son. They handed me gifts and said "get wrapping" keeping my hands and mind busy, talked about Christmas memories, and totally included me in their Christmas Eve preparations. I'll never forget his kindness, and my appreciation for his wife for sharing her husband that Christmas Eve. 40 years later, I tracked him down and thanked him. He was in tears that he'd made such a difference for me.

My BEST Christmas ever was Christmas 1971 when my husband had just returned safely from the war, we'd moved on to our next duty station 3000 miles from home, and just the three of us spent our first Christmas together in our new home!

May all our "Mom's-in-waiting" for our heroes always find truly compassionate and loving neighbors to lift their burdens - today and every day! 1970 was a painful time and though long ago, I pray we all learn a lesson from this touching memory. Merry Christmas Sarah, God bless your New Year !!!

'Organizedsarah' thank you for sharing that touching story. You are just as special as your neighbours because after all these years you are still so appreciative. I just read your story to my hubby and I could hardly read it for sobbing. I so remember how vulnerable I was as a young Mom in the seventies. Bless you all.

My favorite December/Christmas memory is The Year of the Ice Storm. Two days before Christmas Eve, a severe ice storm caused most power lines in our area to come down. We lived in the country and could not get off our road because it was blocked by downed trees and power lines. No power meant no heat, no water pumped from the well (no flush toilets!), no cooking, no telephone, no TV, no Christmas lights, no computer. Myself, my husband, our son (17) and daughter (19 & home from college) were home for 6 days. We all agree it was the best Christmas ever!

All the perishable food was gone by the 3rd day, so I had the easiest Christmas dinner ever - peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. During daylight hours we played board games, cards, and really talked with one another. Toward dark, we each took our flashlight and a book and went to our couch or sleeping bag in front of the new propane fireplace my husband had had the foresight to install a few months previously. No one remembers what the Christmas gifts were that year. It was just our best family Christmas.

singing Polish Christmas carols with my father, eating a traditional Polish Christmas Eve feast at my grandparents' house, and dying with anticipation while hiding with cousins and siblings under the dining room table until the adults finally stopped eating and talking so we could open a gift

I enjoyed reading everyone's christmas stories. All from the heart. It's amazing how our fondest childhood memories impact and remain in our hearts and brains forever. the child within is so beautiful and innocent

The Baby Pat-A-Burp doll I got in 1964 was a surreal experience. I wasn't used to receiving exactly what I had asked for.....we normally got what the budget would allow, so a close facsimile was what we expected. But....1964......I was in an altered state of reality for the rest of the day! (I named her Shannon).

Just one of my favorites. I was about six, still believed in Santa, of course and my stepsister and I both wanted walking dolls for Christmas. We had seen pictures of them and they were all smiling and showing two teeth. For some reason I decided I wanted one with four teeth showing! Years later my mother told me how hard she had to search everywhere for that doll with four teeth! She found one and my Christmas was complete!

The Christmas Tree. The magic of a Christmas Tree and how it can instantly become the focal center of design in a room is wonder in itself. Truly one of the beautiful affects of the spirit of the holidays is how the belief in love and giving of ourselves can be displayed in a room - part symbolism and part manifested creation. Yea, the Christmas Tree - and all that occurs around it - is my best memory of home during the holiday.

December was magic for me.All my familly came to my new house to celebrate Chriistmas!!It was fantastic The great dream of my life to have the family together!!!

We always had "perfect" holidays, but what was important is that all my aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, cousins were alive and healthy. We always had too much food with no calories, to many presents, a lot of gossip, music, and all kinds of hope. I never thought it would end and now my dear dad is the last surviving "of the greatest generation" with a version of alzheimers. I felt good to wake up Christmas morning with my lover and know what is really important!

Carpe Diem!

The day after Christmas, when my son would find one more "forgotten" gift in the hall closet.

Christmas' growing up when my father was in the army. He was away a lot. He'd come home unannounced and sleep under the Christmas tree. He wasn't home for every Christmas but when he was, it was truely AMAZING! The greatest gift of all.

Christmas Eve tradition of a cheese and antipasto platter for dinner! Yum! :D