What is your best childhood holiday memory?

Oops. That wasn’t a holiday memory, lol.

I saw Mama kissing Santa Clause!….that is :heart: my best childhood memory…

On December 7th 1975 , my 34 year old father was taken from us by carbon monoxide poisoning from a malfunctioning heater. I was only 7 years old. I was mortified.

My father was my world. I would never again know the feeling of being carried on his shoulders, hear him laugh, sit in his lap or be entertained by his stories. He had a vivid imagination and came up with such witty stories about the holidays – Santa and others.

On Christmas Eve of that year, I was hanging out by the Christmas tree, enjoying the lights and all the sparkles. I was also snooping around the presents.

I noticed a very large present with no name in it. My curiosity peaked, I asked my mother about it. She told me that was my present from my Daddy. Immediately I wanted to open it. I expressed in no uncertain terms that I knew what it was.

You see, all year I had wished and hoped for one particular gift. It was a doll called ” Baby That a Way.” And when I saw this present and heard it was for me, I just knew that’s what it was.

Once given approval, I dragged that thing out and tore through the paper with lightening speed. Then squeeled when I saw it was indeed my doll!

I should have been sad that year, loosing my father so young and at Christmas. But somehow getting that gift and having all those memories made it seem that he was there even if he wasn’t.

So, it’s been that every year I embrace the holidays with joy and happiness because I don’t consider the loss … Just the joy and the memories that live on as long as I do.

Singing Christmas carols with friends and family at a local nursing home.  We’d walk the halls spreading  Christmas cheer to those who were shut-in.  We would pass out a simple handmade  gift to each resident and wish them a Merry Christmas.  My parents taught  me early that giving is more important than receiving, and in blessing others, we ourselves are blessed.  

Going to Midnight Mass. The candle-lit church was beautifully decorated, the music was divine, and there was a great sense of peace that could be felt even by a child. I remember feeling awed (and a little sleepy), but also a little amazed that my siblings and I were allowed to stay up so late!

It’s all the more memorable now, because even though my family and I still go to church on Christmas Eve, very few offer a service that is actually at Midnight. Somehow the Midnight hour gave the occasion a special significance.

Hi Adam,

My best childhood holiday memory would be Dad and Mom taking us kids to the Paramont Theater and watching Christmas movie and then after the movie us 4 kids receiving socking full Christmas candies:)

What this was the best Holiday memory I remember:)

My dad’s work Cherry-Burnell was holding this Christmas party for each children of the workers and the most tallest Christmas tree with all the lights lit up 🙂

Thank you for asking:)

Love,

Linda

xoxo

Happy Holidays Everybody!!!!

MY BEST CHILDHOOD HOLIDAY MEMORY:   It was the early 70’s, Christmas day.  All my family/relatives are gathered at my house.  Mother set a beautiful table after we just finished opening presents.  Our family always gathered around the room in a circle holding hands to pray.  My Mother lead the prayer…She was praying for my oldest brother which was in Vietnam.  It had been 5 long years.  Right after her prayer…..we all hear a voice in the room saying, “YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED, MERRY CHRISTMAS.”  We all looked toward the voice, there stood my big brother in his Army uniform.  Everyone went crazy…Mother almost passed out, screaming, crying, shouting, talking, and many hugs.  WHAT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!

Hi Adam!  My best childhood holiday memory was seeing Santa Claus for the first time when I was 7, after we moved to San Francisco.  We came from Central America and of course, there was no Santa near by in Central America.  I asked him for a special doll that I had seen and then I received it.   I was thrilled and knew there really was a Santa Claus, regardless of what anyone said! 

Even though we know there is no Santa Claus, the thrill we receive as children makes lasting memories that we need as children. 

May all your Holiday memories remain in your heart and may you have a blessed Christmas! :heart: 

My best childhood holiday memory – Well Adam, I thought about that question for a while and each and every memory that sprang to mind had one simple theme – Family!  Memories of all those who have passed and are no longer with me, how much they loved me and made me laugh, their hugs and smiles.  Even though we share material things at this time it’s the people in our lives who create the memories that stay with us forever.  They will never be forgotten. 

When I was small my mom and dad divorce, I have one brother and one sister, both younger than myself. During this time things were a lot different. My mom had no one to help her, so she worked and money wasn’t there for the bills let alone for the holidays. To make things worst my mom’s younger sister was killed in a car accident, so my mom found herself raising another child. I was the oldest by just a few years,so it was up to me to help out.This particular year my father who rarely ever bought us anything did Unfortunately my. little cousin had nothing bought by her father, for her. Being older I decided to be the one who would give my gifts to my younger cousin, which made my mom cry even though it made her happy at the same time. So on Christmas there were two gifts under the tree for myself, a blouse and a nightgown. I was happy to get them, as I sat back and watched my cousin open the gifts that were intended for me ! Then when it was all done and the wrapping paper was picked up my mom said I think there’s one gift left behind the tree, it was for me! It was a little transistor radio, I cried I knew we couldn’t afford it. I’ll never forget that Chrismas! Tanks mom, you’re the best! I love you.

My best childhood holiday memory is the tree picking! it was myself my sister, dad and uncles. I looked forward to it every yeaR, 

My best childhood holiday memory that is now passed down to my family, is the singing of Christmas songs while setting up the tree! 

My best childhood holiday memory is simply being with my loved ones . As we grow older and family members pass away, I will always remember at one point in time we were ALL together and happy!

I grew up in San Francisco and every year my mom would take me to the Emporium store and on the roof top they had a santa to take pictures with, a small ice rink that girls came out to do a holiday show. For 50 cents you could get a grab bag with a gift, outside rides, even a ferris wheel and when you reached the top you could see the bay and most of downtown. Strange I did not remember any of it until now. Thanks HSN for helping to reach back and pulling out a wonderful memory!:heart:

When I was a child we didn’t have a lot of money and every year we had the same artificial tree. I always asked if we could get a real tree, but I was always told we couldn’t afford it. One year we had a bad snow storm and my little brother was late getting home. My parents were very worried unti I spotted him up the road, dragging a giant Christmas tree he got for me!