Christmas Memories - Tandy Balson

My daughter recently told me that some of her fondest Christmas memories involve her grandma. When our children were young, the whole family would gather at my mom’s for Christmas day.  She had been widowed for many years before she was ready to give up this tradition.

When we moved the celebration to my house it didn’t take long before she discovered the joy of having no responsibilities and been spoiled for a few days.  We wanted her to feel special and would pick her up on Christmas Eve so she didn’t have to drive.

Our tradition became an early dinner, Christmas Eve service and then driving around town looking at all the Christmas lights.  Once home again, it would be time for hot chocolate and cookies.  A board game completed the evening.  It was a relaxed and loving atmosphere.

Years later, I heard the other part of the kid’s memories with grandma.  One year they got up very early and tiptoed into the living room with a flashlight in hand to peek at their Christmas stockings.  They were startled to hear a sound behind them and turned to see grandma.  The fear of getting caught didn’t last when she said, “SHHH, give me the flashlight.” Then she started looking in her own stocking!

From what I have since learned, the three of them continued this early morning viewing for many years.  It was apparently grandma who would encourage them to wake us up early.  She was as excited as they were.

Other family members would arrive later in the day, but those early morning times with grandma were what formed precious memories for my kids.

This year our daughter has asked my husband and me to spend the night at her house on Christmas Eve.  She wants her children to experience Christmas morning with grandparents.  We are looking forward to love and laugher and creating new memories.  We even have a new board game for the family to play. Don’t tell my daughter, but we just might be setting our alarm to get up before the grandkids do!

May you experience Peace, Love and Joy this Christmas.

Family Memories by Tandy Balson

When I ask my now grown children about favourite Christmas memories they will talk about two things.  One of those is the fact that we always got new board games and jigsaw puzzles for the family and would spend many happy hours around the table playing together.  

More importantly, though, was the time spent with my mom.  In their early years, we would join other family members at Grandma’s home for Christmas dinner.  As she aged, our traditions changed.  She had been widowed for many years and we didn’t like the thought of her waking up alone on Christmas morning.  

On the afternoon of December 24^th, we would drive the 20 minutes to her house and pick her up.  She was perfectly capable of driving herself, but this was an extra touch of care that we wanted to provide.  Our evening held a familiar comfort for all of us.  We would have an early dinner and then attend a candle light Christmas Eve service at our local church.  With the strains of Silent Night still in our hearts, we headed out for our next adventure.  

Armed with the local newspaper’s  list of the best light displays, we drove around the city enjoying the elaborate displays in people’s yards.  The best ones always had the manger scene.  Then it was home for hot chocolate and cookies.

My son would give up his room for Grandma and sleep on the floor of his sister’s room.  Together they would wake up early and sneak out with flashlight in hand, to look through their Christmas stockings.  They vividly recall the time they heard Grandma’s voice behind them and thought they were going to get into trouble.  Instead, she asked for the flashlight and went through the contents of her Christmas stocking!  This was a secret the three of them shared for many years.

My mother has been spending Christmas with Jesus for fifteen years now.  We still talk about the fun we had with her sleepovers and her childlike enthusiasm.  The gift we gave her was the freedom to relax and have fun as she had no other responsibilities.  The gift she gave us is the countless precious memories that we recall.  

Southern Gospel singer Guy Penrod sings a song with the following line: “I miss you most at Christmas, you were like a little child.”  It took many years before I could listen to the song without tears.  I thought I could do it now, but I am shedding a few tears just thinking about it.

The true blessings of Christmas are not the physical gifts we receive.  My children have no memories of special gifts.  Our fondest family memories are the love, laughter and time spent together. 

My husband and I have been invited to our daughter’s house for a sleepover on Christmas Eve.  I think I’ll find a board game and jigsaw puzzle to take along with us.  

Merry Christmas.

blog: www.timewithtandy.com

website: www.tandyb.com