What is your best childhood holiday memory?

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 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!!!!

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.

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.  

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.

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

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