Beyond the Other Side: An Old Fashioned Christmas in the Making

Friday – December 5, 2006

My Christmas box given to me by Dad and handmade by Dink. Each figure of the nativity was made using different types of wood and then glued to the box. I love my box and it stays out all year long!

An “old fashioned Christmas” is how Bill wants to decorate. We have scoured the stores the last several years looking for the decorations our parents and grandparents used. Bill especially wanted to find enough of the three bells entwined together that blink to hang around the carport and on the front porch. He also wanted to find enough candelabras with eight candles each to place in the windows. We had to find enough orange bulbs, and we were lucky enough to find them at our local Wal-Mart.

Our old fashioned bells:

Christmas is definitely going to be different for our family. We have lost so many family members – they will all be missed; our Christmases will never be the same. We now know how our grandparents and parents generation felt as the years went by with family members leaving this heavenly world for a far better place.

This desire of having an “old fashioned Christmas” may help us bring back some of those good memories. We all will definitely try to help Mom have a great Christmas. It is not about giving her tons of gifts, but letting her know how much we all love her! Because her eyesight is leaving her, we need to come up with something nice but practical. Anything to keep her warm is an idea – that way we can turn the heat down just a little so we can breathe when visiting/ staying with her!

Toby has picked up one of Dad's favorite things to do - snoop to see where his presents were:

An “old fashioned” Christmas brings back so many memories for us both. Jeni’s sister, Ruthie, had a great idea on her blog – she asked her readers to respond as to what traditions and memories you have about Christmases in the past. I responded in that I remember we got socks every year from my grandparents. They had little money, but always wanted us to get a present from them. They would give Mom the money, and she would shop for them. Mom was always practical – no toys – get something we could use and needed. Apparently we always needed socks! Not many kids enjoyed getting socks –where’s the toys???

A view which shows the outside decorations:

We had been brought up to respect, love, and be thankful for what we did receive. Some Christmases were more abundant than others, but we loved them all and were thankful for what we did receive. The real meaning for Christmas was not about receiving gifts! However, when we would open those socks, the looks on Mamaw and Papaw’s faces made us all know how much they loved us and had sacrificed in order to get those socks. Money was sparse, especially for them, but they wanted to give us a present. Those looks are embedded in my mind forever. I really appreciate the sacrifice my parents and grandparents made so that my three brothers and me could have an “old fashioned” Christmas. We all would run and hug them and tell them how wonderful the gifts were. It didn’t matter that there was an erector set, a race car set, a new doll, or a craft set under the tree that we were dying to get to and play with – first things first! We only received one toy, apples and oranges in the stockings, and maybe a quarter or two! Wow – we felt rich and thankful. We were rich for that one day. But we were rich with love throughout the entire year!

It was never until I returned to school that I found out that what I received for Christmas was nothing compared to some of my classmates. They would always come in bragging about what they had gotten and then wanted to know what I had gotten. “OH,” was always the response from them. It appeared that the meaning of Christmas to them was who received the most and the best presents! It wasn’t until later that I realized the difference in their Christmas and ours – ours was filled with LOVE and was not about how many gifts and how much they cost. Our gifts were given in love, and for that, I will always be grateful.

Bill’s Christmases were similar. They would go to Granny’s and have Christmas with his grandparents. They received a toy, clothes, and fruit just as we did. One of his great-aunts was a high school librarian, Aunt Daisy. She would make sure they had something to read. This may have been the beginning as to why Bill loves to read!

Our angel high on the tree:

I also remember other things about Christmas – Mom and I would make Christmas candy and Orange Cakes as gifts. Mom did this by herself until I was old enough to really help. I look back now and remember the smells of the kitchen and what a good time we had. Dad would always come in to “sample” what we had made! This always drove Mom crazy! What fond memories we both have of Christmases past.

Even though we have loved ones not here, we will carry on for the rest of the family. We have a granddaughter who will be with us next Christmas. I’m sure a tradition will be started just for her!! David always came to our house by 10:00 Christmas day. He would celebrate Christmas with his grandparents, aunt, and mother on Christmas Eve after attending Christmas Eve services and celebrating his grandfather’s birthday. Then early the next morning, he and his mother would have Christmas together. He was always an excited little boy – wow – three sets of Christmas presents. Here was a kid’s dream that came to life and was enjoyed by all. It took him a few years before he realized that he needed to give us all a different Christmas list! That way he didn’t have any duplicates! Even with all the presents and Christmases he celebrated – he never forgot the reason for this Christmas season. None of us have! “Joy to the World, the Lord has Come!”

Mine and Bill’s first Christmas tree together was also “old fashioned” in that we found bubble lights. Oh what a beautiful tree they make. After Bill’s grandmother and father passed away, we had his mother come to our home. She loved going into the living room, laying on the couch, and watching the lights. I’m sure it brought back many memories for her. After having these lights for 20 years, we find it difficult to find replacement bulbs. When we put the tree up, it will have some old fashioned aspects as well as a few updated decorations.
Here are the bubble lights:

I love decorating for Christmas, listening to the tradition Christmas music, and being with family and friends. I love receiving gifts, but I enjoy giving more. (No Bill, this does not let you off the hook!) Last year I tried to crochet gifts for everyone – for the immediate family they received hats and scarves! This took a lot of time, but I enjoyed doing it. They only ones I didn’t make a set for was Bill and me – maybe that’s what he will get this year for Christmas!!! How about an orange set Bill????

So what does this “old fashioned” Christmas mean – will everyone receive a stocking with an apple, oranges, and a piece of coal? Probably not – but you never know!!!
It means that as a family we will be able to celebrate our savior's birth and shower our family and friends with love!

My geese dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Santa: