Thursday, December 23, 2021

IT WOULDN'T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT...by Cheryl Pierson

Growing up, traditions in my house included putting up a live Christmas tree every year—very few people had an artificial tree “back then”—and of course, setting up our little nativity set. Mom always made fudge and she’d make divinity for my dad and wait with fingers crossed to see if it would “turn out” like it should.

One thing we always had on our tree were the silver tinsel icicles—and back then, they were made of real aluminum—not this cheap plastic stuff you buy now! So, we saved those icicles from year to year and carefully placed them back on the cardboard holder as we “de-decorated” the tree. I thought we must be the only people who did that, but it turns out, that is a not-so-fond memory that many people my age have.

Our tree was usually not the best—when I wanted a nice, full Scotch pine tree, Mom would shake her head and frown. “Cheryl, those things cost SEVEN DOLLARS!” she’d say. We always got a “regular tree” that cost between $4-$5. I remember one year we paid $5.50, and that was the most I ever can remember paying for a Christmas tree.



My “smaller” tree–I downsized. I have a ladder with an elf and Santa climbing up on the side that has been a tradition since my kids were tots.

But our tree, though not “top of the line”, was decorated with love—and our traditional ornaments that had meaning. I inherited many of those ornaments, and I still use them, some that I made in kindergarten. Through the years, we’ve added ornaments made by our children, Jessica and Casey, and ornaments that we bought for them for their own collections.



Jessica, age 3, ornament made in Mother’s Day Out, and Casey age 1.

I’ve never had a “theme” tree. My theme is the same every year. Just memories that are so precious, through the preservation of the ornaments I remember as a child, and those that have been added since, each one with a special story of its own. Handmade items from school years, “our first Christmas” from the year hubby and I were married, a set of little cheap plastic bells and lanterns that my dad bought when I was little and loved the tree a bit too much. Those are special because he wanted me to be able to enjoy Christmas, too, and those were indestructible!

Plastic pink bell and plastic silver lantern–Dad bought these for me when I was learning to walk and loving the tree! Talk about antiques!

Yes, I still use icicle tinsel. My kids roll their eyes, but to me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without it!

This is a small tree I bought a few years back when I was really sick with the flu before Christmas–it was all I could manage that year–the only year I didn’t have a regular tree with tinsel–and now I use it as a decoration on my old 78 record player top along with the ceramic train my mom made many years ago.

Another tradition that always is a must at our house is making fudge. Although we have to be careful about how much of it we eat, that’s the only time of year I make it. That always brings back great memories of home and growing up, for me, and I hope it will for my kids, too. There is no replacement for certain tastes and smells, is there?





Our first Christmas together–that was 42 years ago!

My third just “couldn’t, wouldn’t ever miss doing” tradition at Christmas is setting up our old nativity set. It’s the same one my parents bought before I was ever born. Oh, has it been through some rough times! But it’s so precious to me. I still remember how enthralled I was as a child with that cardboard stable and the figurines. The manger is cardboard too, with bits of straw glued to it. It’s not beautiful by any means. But it is to me, because of the memories.

This angel always goes near the top of my tree. My mom gave each of us girls one of these one Christmas–back in the ’70’s–and I always think of her when I put it on the tree. Another tradition I just couldn’t miss!
Sammy, directing the decorating and enjoying the Christmas ambience!

Do you have a tradition at your house that you just wouldn’t be able to do without at Christmas? Let’s hear about them!

Everyone have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your holidays!

16 comments:

  1. I make a big pot of chili and pinto beans with cornbread for the main Christmas meal. My mother used to have huge family gathering for New Years Eve and she always made chili, pinto beans, and cornbread. This simple meal always reminds me of family.

    I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

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    1. I love that idea, Livia! Yes, keeping it simple is the very best way for US to get to enjoy the gatherings, as well! That's a great tradition.

      I wish the same for you, my friend. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with some good relaxation and family time! XOXO

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  2. We always used the real aluminum tinsel, too, and tried to save it after Christmas. One thing my parents had that I liked--though not such a good idea with cats in the house--was a set of aluminum or tin angels on a wheel, with candles underneath them. When you lit the candles, the rising heat would start the angels spinning around the center pole.

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    1. Oh, Jeff, we had those too! Those were wonderful, weren't they? I might have an old set of those left somewhere. Did you know you can get those in very elaborate wooden versions too. Again...not a great idea, I wouldn't think, with it being made of wood. LOL But I do love those things.
      Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

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  3. The Lionel trains going around the tree, and the Christmas village they ran through. Plus all the decorations.

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    1. I always wanted a train around the Christmas tree, but never had one until one year when my kids were little. I bought a relatively cheap set at Wal Mart that was made for that very purpose. We used it a couple of years, but after that, the track was so small it seemed that there was no room for presents. Or they'd fall over on the track, etc. So we didn't set it up anymore after that. I would love to have had a really nice train set! Merry Christmas, Jim! Have a wonderful holiday!

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  4. Such beautful memories. It makes everything sparkle that much more. Merry Christmas to you and the best in the coming year for you and yours. Doris

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    1. Thanks, Doris! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night -- good food, good times, and a bit of tequila to go with the Mexican dinner...Then opening presents and dessert much later on. LOL I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas. I'm so blessed, truly, to have you as a dear friend. XO

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  5. Cedar trees grew like weeds where we lived, and we always went out and cut one, begging our Dad to get the biggest possible one. Once in the house, it almost always had to be chopped off more. My cousins in South Texas had to make do with tumbleweeds for Christmas trees. I had to forego live trees in the house when I realized they were making me sick every year, but we always have a tree no matter what. And lights strung outside. Thank you for the post, Cheryl, and have a Merry Christmas!

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    1. Vicky, we used to put lights outside, too, and I always loved to take the kids out on Christmas Eve and drive around and look at the lights on the other houses. Now, we don't do the outside anymore. It takes me longer and longer to get the decorating that I DO undertake done, so I had to cut some of it out over the years. I always have a tree, though, and the nativity. This year I did do more decorating than I have in the past 2-3 years and we had a really good evening last night with everyone here for dinner--Mexican food, sangria, and sopapillas for dessert (well, FIRST dessert...there were others that followed...) LOL Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

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  6. Music - It wouldn't be Christmas in our house without music. Merry Christmas!

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    1. YES! Oh, my gosh, Tracy, I remember growing up how I looked forward to my piano lessons during this time of the year and learning new Christmas music. I still have all my music from then and I play a lot of it from those "earlier" days--my teacher always found music that had wonderful arrangements that made it sound a lot harder than it might have been, actually, (although at the time I thought it was hard!) LOL Merry Christmas!

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  7. Merry Christmas Cheryl! We have many of the same memories of Christmas, though in our family we made Date-Nut Balls instead of fudge -- just as fattening and just as delicious! Another tradition is watching one of the traditional Christmas movies... Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, Scrooge ... we could do a whole post about those! Thank you for sharing your lovely memories with us!

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    1. JES, my mom made those date-nut balls, too sometimes and how we loved those! I have never made them but she made some awesome desserts during the Christmas season and that was one of them. When my kids were younger, I'd always watch Christmas movies with them (hubby is not a movie watcher). Anyhow, we'd have the best time with popcorn and drinks, and just binge on those great movies. A CHRISTMAS STORY was one of our favorites, and of course the ones you mentioned, too! So many good ones! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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    1. Merry Christmas! Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Day!

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