| "Santa Claus is coming to Town" is one the main | | | | youngest son by adding lighted wreaths in each |
| Christmas songs that most children know. My children | | | | window. Of course, my favorite decoration was a |
| are no different. That song always made them | | | | large door wreath with a gold angel in the middle and |
| remember to be on their best behavior or else Santa | | | | gold leaves and berries around the outside. |
| might just pass by their house on Christmas Eve. | | | | Our greatest family tradition was going to their aunt |
| There are many ways to convince children to settle | | | | and uncle's for dinner and gift exchange. As they grew |
| down and behave, but none quite as convincing as | | | | up, they became part of the planning and carrying out |
| hearing part of a song, "He knows when you've been | | | | the details of entertainment. One of the kids would |
| bad or good, so be good for goodness sake". | | | | play Christmas carols and they would lead the adults |
| My children are like most when it comes to dreaming | | | | with their singing. Another cousin would check online to |
| and wishing for the big day and all the magic that | | | | see exactly where Santa was showing up on the |
| Christmas brings. They want to decorate the house | | | | radar and which way he was heading. The younger |
| with lights and figurines, and each one always had their | | | | children would get so excited hearing those details. |
| favorites. The first thing that my son wanted to display | | | | Opening presents, after sharing a Christmas Eve feast |
| was the Nativity scene that he had made at school | | | | with family, was the ultimate end to our family get |
| when he was 7 years old. His teacher at church had | | | | together. The children always delighted in receiving a |
| given 20 Popsicle sticks to each child, but 5 had been | | | | personalized ornament and something unique for their |
| cut in half. His class glued the sticks together in the | | | | talents or interests. By the time we were finished |
| shape of a house, with the cut sticks being the sides. It | | | | opening gifts, the radar showed Santa was getting |
| was made much like Lincoln logs were designed, and a | | | | close, which meant it was time to go home and get |
| small Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus glued on the | | | | ready for bed. |
| bottom sticks. It made a pretty centerpiece on the | | | | The final tradition we followed on Christmas Eve was |
| television with a few red candle votives on each side. | | | | reading the "Night before Christmas". The children |
| Our family had started collecting small ceramic houses. | | | | would get into their pajamas and go to bed, waiting to |
| A new one was added for each child. One wanted | | | | hear the sound of reindeers on the roof. They would |
| the toy store, another one wanted a church, and the | | | | get so excited when they heard the jingle bells ring |
| last one wanted a big Victorian manner house. Putting | | | | outside. That always was their clue to shut their eyes |
| up the miniature village was our oldest daughter's | | | | and begin to dream of what was to come. Traditions |
| choice as the second Christmas decoration to be | | | | are wonderful because they let children know what to |
| displayed. We always had it on a quilted red cloth and | | | | expect. Our children now have their own families and |
| it was beautiful with all the little indoor lights in the | | | | traditions, but many that they grew up are still alive |
| miniatures turned on at night. | | | | today in their homes. Angels, lights, family and Santa |
| The next decoration to put up was the Christmas | | | | are part of the traditions that many families celebrate |
| candles in the windows, with an animated Santa and | | | | and are what makes the holidays so much fun. |
| Mrs. Claus. A new tradition that started with our | | | | |