Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a joyous time of year! While decorating the tree, the girls and I listened to a little story by Harry Connick Jr. about a good elf who helps others find Christmas cheer. It was one of those moments I thought: "I just made a memory that won't be forgotten."

I've been thinking this year about creating our family traditions. Our girls are still little, but I want to start gathering ideas.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional each year. This year it's Sunday December 6 at 6pm on byutv.org. It is filled with touching stories that bring the spirit of Christmas, and beautiful music.

"During this season, the whole house changes visibly. Boughs of fir trees are decorated, candle arches are placed in the windows, and strings of lights are hung. The children put Christmas decorations in their rooms, cookies and gingerbread are baked, and an aroma permeates the entire house—the scent of fir trees and cinnamon" (Elder Kopischke).

Christmas Tradition: Santa's Workshop

"Our family sets aside a day at the beginning of December to transform our playroom into Santa's workshop. We all sift through the children's toys and collect the ones that are in good condition but have not been played with in quite some time. We wash them with soap and water and do any minor repairs such as brushing a doll's hair and putting in a pretty ribbon, or sewing a small tear in a hand puppet. When all the toys are ready to go, we either take them to Good Will or a local homeless shelter. Our kids feel good about sharing their toys with kids who are less fortunate, and we enjoy a little extra storage space--at least until Christmas morning!"

- Susan Johnson New York, New York

This little snowman is the favorite ornament of all because it's a bell!

It's silly, but one of my favorite Christmas decorations is the flannel ribbon draped around the tree. It's like putting a sweater on our tree and it makes me feel warm and cozy.

Christmas Tradition: Christmas around the World

"Each year, as our four sons were growing up, we explored the Christmas traditions of a different country. Throughout the season we would read about what families in the country did to worship the Savior, who the "magical gift giver" was and what he did, how the families decorated for the season, how they celebrated New Year's, etc. We also experimented with recipes from that culture, made decorations to reflect what we had learned (which sometimes meant we didn't have a Christmas tree), awaited visits from their "magical gift giver," read stories unique to their country, learned to sing some songs in their language (which sometimes meant finding someone in the community who could teach us), attended other churches for Christmas Eve services, and included others from that country or of that culture in our celebrations. We wanted to teach our family to respect and appreciate the diversity around us and throughout the world. We also wanted our sons to be able to enjoy that diversity as they served missions, no matter where they might serve."

- Karen Duffy Auburn, Washington

I remember when I was really little and eating a ripe pomegranate straight off of my grandpa's tree, the red juice dripping --- heavenly!

When I learned of its gospel symbolism, it just cemented my view that pomegranates are my favorite fruit.

Anciently, the High Priest wore pomegranates on the hem of his robe (Exodus 28:31, 33-35).

Pomegranates can be associated with and symbolic of:

Christ’s atoning sufferings for our sins
Eternal life
Fertility
The word and testimony of God as a sweet and pleasant spiritual food, that enlivens the soul and refreshes the heart

To learn more about this symbolism, see these articles (1 and 2).

Melissa makes each of the grandkids a gorgeous stocking that is so intricate...hours and hours of love.

Aunt Jenny penned this beautiful poem as a gift to us.

Grandpa Ike is beautifully talented with leather! He made us a bag to told hand-made chimes, which were quite a hit at Thanksgiving. Here's a little video of Dillon playing Jingle Bells.

Christmas Tradition: Christmas Eve Books

When I was a fairly young mother, this quote by Strickland Gillilan struck me deeply: You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be-- I had a mother who read to me. I, too, had both a mother and a grandmother who read to me--something I cherished. With that in my heart, I determined that perhaps something I could do that would be more lasting than other trendy gifts at Christmas would be a specially selected book for each member of my family. I would listen all year and choose a special book that perhaps focused on a hobby, told a story I wanted them to experience, or, many times, a specific book that they hoped for. Once it was chosen, I would sit on Christmas Eve day and write a personal note in the front cover that spoke of my impressions over the past year. After the other traditions are carried out, the gift-wrapped books would be given and opened one at a time. Each person would then enjoy their title and read their note from me. Through the years, as my children grew, they began surprising me with a book of my own. It has become one of our most bonding and cherished traditions.

- M. Steed

Christmas Tradition: Three Gifts

My husband and I decided before we had our children that Christmas would not be all about the presents they are receiving. So we started a tradition with our first child, and it has continued with the next two. We each receive three gifts to represent the three gifts given to Christ from the Wise Men. Not only does it cut down on expenses, but each Christmas morning we can remind our children of the wonderful night of our Savior's birth.

- Alethea Carpenter Coeur d'Alene, Idaho