Holiday traditions are so important to young and old alike. They bring a sense of security and belonging. In today's rushed world, it is comforting to know that some things stay the same year after year. Traditions also foster closeness between family members, while passing down customs to younger generations. Maybe most important is the opportunity to treasure loved ones while we have them.

There are many ways we can celebrate Christmas. I am mentioning a few that my family has found enjoyable. Now that my boys are in high school and college, I realize how quickly the time really does go. We must make the most of our time together.

Several weeks before Christmas, we would start getting together for cookie baking. Even when my oldest son was a baby, we would include him. We put him in his baby seat on the table and let him watch what was going on. Of course, when the boys got older, they didn't have much interest in baking cookies. Eating them was all important, though! But my mother and sister and I would still bake together. When the day was over, there would be containers filled with the luscious goodies to share during the holidays.

Another precious memory is my yearly shopping trip with my husband. With young children and both parents working, it is hard to sometimes fit in time just together. So we would each schedule the day off of work, make arrangements for the boys for the day, and head for the mall. We would shop all day and evening, taking time to stop for lunch and supper. It was exciting to be in the hustle and bustle of the mall with all the decorations and Christmas music playing.

Tree trimming was another occasion to make a memory. We would turn on the Christmas music, make hot chocolate and Christmas blend coffee, and decorate the tree. This really got everyone into a festive mood!
It was even more fun if one of the old Christmas classics, like "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" was on the television.

Wrapping gifts always seemed to be left to Christmas Eve no matter how much we resolved to do it early every year. Of course, the kids couldn't sleep, so my husband and I were sometimes up till the wee hours of the morning trying to get gifts under the tree. But the excitement the next morning was well worth the lack of sleep!

Christmas Eve was always one of the most special and magical times, even as an adult. We would attend Christmas Eve service at church and have a late dinner. We would always eat at my mother's house because it was the biggest. The whole extended family would be there for a carry-in dinner. After dinner, we would visit, sing Christmas carols at the piano, and read the Christmas story from the Bible.

Grandparents are gone now and so is my dad and some other family members. But the memories will never be taken away. They are there to be treasured for the rest of our lives. I hope that my children will love these traditions as much as I do and remember the loving family in which they were raised.

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Credits: Inez Haythorn