Charlie Riegg

A Christmas Memory

"Once upon a time, there was a thoughtful young man named Charlie. One of Charlie’s favorite holidays is Christmas. One of Charlie’s most favorite memories was on a beautiful Christmas morning. He was stunned to see all the presents under the extraordinary Christmas tree. He had so much fun opening and giving presents to family members. One of Charlie’s favorite gifts was an iMac, an Apple computer. There were two more boxes left, one for Laura and one for Charlie. When they ripped off the colorful wrapping paper, there were two girly American Girl doll boxes. If you know the Riegg family, one of their traditions is to put some gifts in American Girl doll boxes. When they opened the boxes, they laid two extreme iPod Touches. They had some much fun all morning, playing with apps and video chatting with each other.

At around 1:30, the Rieggs left their house to go see their grandparents. The whole family was there including cousins, Aunt Sue, Uncle Bob, and the Rothes. Charlie’s grandma has a secret recipe for a Christmas drink. His grandma makes homemade Santa Punch.  The families also had fun eating succulent Poker Face Sandwiches, another family tradition. Then, the families did gift giving and Secret Santa. Charlie got a marshmallow bow and arrow from his beasty cousin, Brick. At around 8:30, it was time to wrap things up. When all of the caring families left, Charlie thought, this is a Christmas he will never forget."
 

"Remember when we all had to see everyone's tree? Maybe this is a lost tradition as most of us have fake trees now, and they really don't change much year to year. If anyone would like to see the Riegg's Christmas tree this year, simply Google "Just Cut Colorado Clear 7 ft LED EZ Shape". We would also extend the invitation to anyone who would like to visit us over the holidays and see it in person.

I fondly remember everyone coming over to our house on Christmas Day to start the festivities with a few cocktails, which was soon followed by some good spirited commentary regarding "Al's Tree". Weeks prior to Christmas, Dad and I would venture out at Mom's request to find the best Christmas tree $12 would buy. After Dad's heavy negotiating at the Christmas tree lot (in a similar fashion as depicted in "The Christmas Story"), we would head home to showcase our prize to Mom. Upon arriving home we were usually greeted with a look of amazement from Mom, but not the type of amazement Dad and I were hoping for. Remember when Charlie Brown brings the Christmas Tree to show the rest of the Peanuts Gang? Enough said.

While I recall some good spirited comments from Aunts and Uncles regarding our Christmas Tree, my memories are more clear of the fresh smell of evergreen in our house that complemented the sweet smell of Mom's freshly baked Christmas Cookies. The nose does have the best memory, and seasonal candles labeled "Christmas Tree" or "Butter Cookie" are just no substitute. This being said, these fake trees do look pretty darn good. :)"
 

"Well, I don't think I can think of any single memory that really stands out but for me it was always the "feeling" of Christmas that always stood out the most (and still does to this day).  Growing up, Christmas was always my favorite holiday.  Yes the gifts I was hoping to get always had a lot to do with it but it was really the anticipation up to and including Christmas day that I've always cherished.  This usually started with the day that mom would put up the Advent calendar usually a couple days before December 1st.  Each door that we would open, or each piece of candy we would eat representing each day for the countdown to Christmas.  Next would be St. Nicks day on December 6th.  I always thought it was pretty neat that no one else I knew celebrated St. Nicks day, it was more of a Rothe tradition which would often make my classmates a little jealous when I would bring it up :)

Next would be the Secret Santa workshop we would have at my Elementary school, Parkview Elementary.  If memory serves me, this usually occurred the 2nd week in December and would give students the opportunity to spend their hard earned savings on gifts for family members.  These would always be simple gifts, be it a Crayola crayon money bank, an overly pine scented Christmas tree candle or a plastic Santa figurine.  I remember thinking that every gift I bought at the workshop was the most awesome gift even though I probably spent 5 bucks total.

The last day of school before Christmas break is when the excitement really set in.  With Santa and presents on the mind I doubt I got anything done that day.  My friends and I would compare Christmas lists with hope we were on Santa's good list.

And that brings us to Christmas Eve.  Traditionally, our family would go to midnight mass, come home afterwards and always open one gift.  The gift would always be the same thing, pajamas to wear that night (and usually all day Christmas).  I always loved this tradition and will continue the same with my family.  We were all pretty exhausted at this point so one would think sleep would be a priority.  Not for me, I remember laying in bed and calculating what gifts I would hope to get the next day.

Christmas morning would always start early and ended late.  Growing up, my brother, sister and I all had bedrooms on the 3rd floor.  Each year we would wait on the top of the stairs until we heard Santa's sleigh bells ringing from downstairs.  At that point we would fly down the stairs to be welcomed by a camera or video camera recording the looks of anticipation on each of our faces.  Once we turned the corner into the dining room there, under the Christmas tree would be a load of presents.  I remember trying to size up each present with what I thought my presents would be.  Mom and Dad were usually pretty good about disguising larger gifts so they wouldn't give it away.  Right away, we would all participate in sorting out the gifts and then start opening gifts.  Usually each year we would alternate, youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest.  Sure it was a waiting game, but I'm glad we did it this way otherwise Christmas would be done in 5 minutes.  To draw the day out even more and perhaps even adding more anticipation, Mom and Dad would always stop the present opening around 10am for breakfast.   I don't know what time we usually finished up opening presents but judging by the phone calls we would receive from relatives wishing us a Merry Christmas throughout the day, I think we were always the last family to finish.

So there you have it, not a single memory but more of a look into the Rothe family Christmas tradition.  Mom and Dad, I always thought you did Christmas right and the experience and traditions are something I plan to continue with my family.  The warm fuzzies I would have as I child growing up I still have every Christmas, thanks to you both."
 

"Where do I begin. I have so many favorite Christmas memories starting at childhood to adulthood. My sister Noreen and I have similar favorites. Billie the Brownie on radio was probably my fondest. When my mother, Noreen and I would be making Christmas cookies together in Wauwatosa, WI it always was around the time that 'Billy the Brownie' was on the radio. Billie was Santa's helper and the closer it got to Christmas, and when we heard Santa, we would get so excited. The Christmas season started though on Dec. 6, when St. Nick filled our stockings - always with a tangerine, 25 cent comic book, nuts and candy, especially the Life Savor book. That tradition still goes on today (although somewhat different) with our children and now our grandchildren Noah & Evan.

When Glen and I got married our first Christmas was in our mobile home. We were so proud of owning instead of renting. It was very cozy and when Lisa and Glen were born it indeed got a whole lot cozier - but Christmas was the best. We always had a live tree and decorating with homemade ornaments was great, especially the toilet paper wreath I made. I know, I know.

After Glen Jr. was born we moved to a two story townhome and that's where most of our Christmas traditions started. When the children woke up Christmas morning they sat at the top of the stairs, and when they heard the Santa's sleigh bell, Christmas music playing, and daddy starting up the video camera.........it was time to descend the stairs. I will remember forever my three little ones, then becoming teens, then becoming adults sitting at the top of those stairs. Excitement in their voices when they were little, to indulging this mom and dad with the same tradition when they grew up. Stockings were always hung on the mantel of the fireplace - even when we didn't have a real one. I was bound and determined to have a fireplace. Our first Christmas in our mobile home Glen was building a cabinet for the TV and wasn't quite finished, so I found some red brick-like paper and .....instant fireplace. Then in the townhouse I found a cardboard fireplace that stayed with us until we bought our first two story home in East Dundee, IL where we finally had a real fireplace.

Christmas Eve was always special to Glen and me. After we put the children to bed, we'd get the toys out. Many hours Glen would spend putting the toys together, put the presents under the tree and then we would shut all the lights out and only have the Christmas tree lights on, turn on some Christmas music and sit together on the couch. Our thoughts were our three children fast asleep upstairs in their bedrooms and talking about that special gift each one would receive, how lucky we were to have three beautiful children and each other. It was a magical time on those cold northern winters but it was oh so cozy inside our little house.

Onto when we owned the Bed & Breakfast in Wisconsin. We would close to the public from Christmas to New Years so our extended family could come and visit. Dave, Lisa, Glen, Velvet and Margaret would sit as adults on top of those stairs Christmas Day. Even Grandpa Roman, Noreen, Susan, Erin, Ben, Sue Lewis (Velvet's mom) would do the same. Then they all descended the stairs and headed for the fireplace to get their Christmas stockings. After that the presents were handed out we would each open one from the youngest to the oldest. Again....tradition.

Now that our children are grown, married, and have children those Christmas traditions are changing, but those memories haven't. Now new memories of Glen & Velvet as parents of Evan, Dave & Jenni as parents of Noah, and Lisa & Margaret are a new chapter in our Rothe Christmas Memories."
 

"Well there aren’t very many memories that standout as my favorite memory, but if I had to pick a story to tell it’d be this one.

I’m pretty sure it was the last Christmas my Grandpa Rothe was alive, and each year we would break bread before dinner with the close family that included Me, Matt, Gabi, and my Dad. My cousins Chase, Eli, Samm, and Olivia were, also there along with Aunt Sharon, Mark, and Cheryl. (Not sure if Justin was there or not. Sorry!) So… back to the story. We would share Christmas Wafers before dinner. What we would do is share this Christmas Wafer with all the people that were at the Christmas dinner and say something nice about the person or say  congrats or thank them in some way. So Grandpa Rothe was trying to explain this to the family and my cousin Eli was being really obnoxious so Grandpa got kind of angry and then proceeded to ask Eli what his favorite thing about Christmas and Eli responded with "Sharing the Christmas wafer with you Grandpa." (In Eli’s smart-ass kind of way). Grandpa just laughed and acknowledged it and said something like “Good cover Eli.” And it just made him forget how obnoxious Eli was being.

This moment is just kind of memorable to me, because at the time it was
really funny. And it just shows how much our Grandpa loved us and stuff. I miss him every day but even more at this time of year, so most of the memories I have from Christmas are about him in some way."

EDITORS NOTE: This memory really touched me because I know many of us also miss Dale, and we know how much he would have enjoyed seeing the stories from everyone.  This particular story is one that Dale told me about on several occasions because it was one of his favorite 'Christmas Memories'.
 

"One of my favorite Christmas memories is of a Christmas we spent at the B&B in Albany, Wisconsin. David, Glen, Velvet, Lisa, Margaret, Auntie Donna and Uncle Glen were there along with my family (Noreen, Susan, Ben and I). For the week before Christmas, it was like summer camp. We spent a day driving around Madison, and another one at the Swiss village of New Glarus (fish fry and polka dancing anyone?). In all different combinations of family members, we set out to learn our way around Albany and the surrounding towns. I think we even found a Barnes & Noble so that Donna could get her fix in. My favorite part was being all together, spending time reconnecting with cousins who I hadn't seen in months/years, making new memories and reliving past adventures (England).

The night before Christmas, we had a nice dinner and I remember us creating a game out of Auntie Donna's tea cozies. We became the "homeland patrol" and everyone went running from window to window with tea cozies on their heads, pretending to spot scary intruders out in the dark night streets of Albany, Wisconsin. It was great fun and made for a night of laughter until we cried and good times all around. I believe that we then opened one gift before we went to sleep...new nightgowns/pajamas for everyone! Festive flannel all around. 

On Christmas Day, we orchestrated our descent into the living room so that Uncle Glen could capture it on video tape (now I'm dating myself). One by one we descended in our warm new flannel pjs with our spectacular bed-head on display. We opened presents, had a lovely festive brunch, and spent the rest of the day knitting, playing games, laughing and having a grand old time. 

This is one of my favorite Christmas memories because we were all together. We haven't all been together for a Christmas since then but hopefully such a gathering is in the works for one year quite soon.

Much love to all,"
 

Evan wanted to talk to Grandma Donna and Grandpa Glen on the phone so he could tell his Christmas memories and still keep them as a secret surprise for Mommy and Daddy.  He called us one evening, and here is what he had to say (with just a bit of grandparent editing).
 
"My favorite part about Christmas is when everybody in the family is together.  I remember that sometimes Grandma Glen and Grandma Donna and Grandma Sue are here at Christmas.  And Uncle Dave and Jenni.  And Aunties Lisa and Margaret too.  And sometimes there are neat presents, like Wii games and a basketball game and a bowling game.  There's lots more but I can't remember all of them.  And I like Grandma's cookies, especially the ones with the hidden kisses inside.  I like to find the Elf on the Shelf, because he hides and I have to find him.  But for the last couple of days he's stayed in the same place.  The Christmas tree has a group of ornaments that I especially like.  Also, I like when we do singing and plays for Christmas at school.  And that's about it."
 
Then Evan sang a couple of Christmas songs for us, including Jingle Bells and one we didn't quite recognize.  Finally Evan ended the conversation by saying, "Grandma and Grandpa, I'm wrapping it up now." 
 
It was a great conversation!
 

"I would say my favorite Christmas memory was going to Candy Cane Lane behind Country Springs with Grandpa Rothe and Cheryl. Also, my other favorite Christmas memory was going to Grandpa Rothes' house with the family and having Christmas there, and we would break the bread and say something that we're thankful for, and that really made our family closer."
 

"I actually have two memories that jump right to the forefront amongst all of the great Christmas memories over the years.

My first Christmas memory probably dates back to 1976 or 1977. I was probably close to the age that Evan is now; also known as the "golden era" of Christmas for a young child. We were living in the house in Dundee at the time and I was sharing one of the upstairs bedrooms with Dave. As normally happens on Christmas Eve, I had a hard time sleeping so I kept waking up in the middle of the night, hoping that it would be time to run downstairs and see all of the gifts under the tree. Inevitably, I would see that it was still dark outside and would fall back asleep.  I do remember that as I was staring at the ceiling after waking up one of those times, I saw a red light flash through the window and onto the wall. Holy cow! It must have been Rudolph! I jumped out of bed and looked out of the window hoping to see Santa and his sleigh landing on the roof. I looked up and down but didn't see anything. I must have just missed them as they took off to head back to the North Pole! I was a little disappointed that I missed seeing Santa and the reindeer but even after all of these years, I still remember that night like it was yesterday. I'm not sure if anyone else believed me but I held onto that belief for a long time.

Another favorite Christmas memory is spending the holidays in Hawaii. I always thought it was so cool that we could hop on a plane and leave the cold, snowy weather of Chicago behind for the sunny, tropical weather of Hawaii each winter. I remember one particular year that we flew out on Christmas Day on a United 747 from Chicago. This was back in the days where stand-by travel was a gimme, the planes were barely half-full on the holidays and they still had the upstairs First Class lounge on those planes. Mom and Dad were sitting upstairs in the lounge, sipping on MaiTai's while David, Lisa and I entertained the three flight attendants that were assigned to the First Class Cabin. We probably couldn't have been much older than four, nine and seven respectively. The funny thing was, we were the ONLY passengers in the lounge the entire 9 hour flight. Talk about service! I don't exactly remember how many years in a row we did that but it was really a lot of fun. Especially those couple of years when we met Karen, Liz and Jenny there too.

Alrighty, that's it."
 

"This is a very difficult question to answer. Not because memory fails - but because the flood of memories is so difficult to sort through.

There are the earliest memories - those associated with the excitement surrounding the belief that Santa Claus would 'soon be on his way with lots of toys and goodies loaded in his sleigh'. Then later, there are the memories of the hopes and wishes for that 'special' present. And then follows a long procession of memories of Christmases 'firsts'. The first Christmas with a new girlfriend; the first Christmas with a new wife... and then a litany of 'first' memories with a growing family - starting with the first Christmases with new babies, the ensuing memories as the family expanded and our children were able to experience their 'firsts' of the season with us - and now, more recently, the first Christmases with new grandbabies.

These are all great memories; more memories than can be prioritized into a logical order - starting with 'best'. But if I have to pick one memory, then I'm going to have to select one of my first. It is from the year that giving became almost as important as receiving. I don't remember the year exactly; only that it was about the same time as reading became an important part of my life - to be rapidly followed by a love of writing.

My sister Karen and I, both with little money but with a desire to gradually build the excitement of the season, decided to make Advent calendars for each other. The calendars were to be constructed in such a way so that each day something new would be revealed to add to the holiday spirit. As best I can recall now, my calendar began with a piece of construction paper. A sheet of normal typing taper was then pasted along the edges and atop the construction paper. The numbers for the first twenty-five days of December, culminating with Christmas, were written on small squares on the top sheet; the squares for seven days across, and lined up in four rows - to look just like a normal calendar. Each of the squares on the top sheet of typing paper were cut along the bottom, left and right sides, so that the dated square could be lifted like a small door to reveal what was on the construction paper beneath. We were insistent with each other that only one small door could be lifted each day - no impatient cheating and looking ahead. (I can't vouch for Karen, but I'm certain that I followed the rules precisely. But then, she was older - and possibly sneakier as well. ;)) )

I no longer remember all of the details - only that the theme for my Advent calendar was a short story, to be revealed in serial fashion, with each day from December 1st until December 25th containing a small bit of cramped text - written on the construction paper and hidden behind the dated square on the top sheet of typing paper. With each day, a small bit of text advanced the story. Perhaps my sister will remember the story better than I can. But I do remember that my story had to do with a puppy (perhaps lost?) who finally appears beneath the tree on Christmas day.

What makes this such a great and lasting memory is that not only was it associated with the joy of giving - but it was a kind of giving that continued for a full twenty-five days. Each day I enjoyed the excitement - watching as the suspense built and Karen's desire to learn the final outcome grew.

(Strangely and sadly, I don't remember the theme or the contents of my sister's Advent calendar that she gave to me, but I'm almost certain that it was a story as well. And no doubt, Karen being two and a half years older than I was, and already an avid reader - hers was a much more polished piece of literature than mine).

As the years advance, and as memories are stacked upon memories, it becomes more and more difficult to pick what is best. It is impossible to select the 'best' from so many that are 'good'. But if 'memorable' can be equated with 'best', then the 'year of the Advent calendar' has to rank right up there at the top for me."
 

"I have many memories from my childhood during Christmas time that I hold so dear to my heart.

We celebrated Christmas with both sides of the family each year and had to drive to Racine on Christmas Eve to the Isaacsons and Christmas day with my mom's side, the Burkes. At my Isaacson family Christmas each year the young children had to sing for their presents and perform in front of everyone. It was always a hoot to practice and perform. We also had to read the Christmas story and each of us got a turn throughout the years to read it aloud to the family. Even today we pass the role of reading the Bible story around. I think I've read it about five times in my 34 years!

The Burke side Christmas was always huge with so many gifts that we could hardly fit in one room. With 26 of us, it was not surprising! We always loved giving gifts to my Nana because she was always so grateful and had the brightest smile in the world. I will never forgot how happy she was on Christmas to have all her children and grandchildren around her. We light a candle each year in her memory at our Christmas in Madison. She would be proud that we still all gather together to share in the holiday. Each year during Christmas break, my cousins would come stay with us in Platteville for a few days. We'd make silly videos and my dad would show us the film reel movies from our childhood on the projector. We still watch those movies each year but now they have been transferred to DVD.

Sharing Christmas with my immediate family was also very special. I think my favorite memory is how my little sister and I would be so excited about Santa coming that we could hardly contain ourselves. My parents would drive us around town to look at Christmas lights and when we'd return, Santa had visited and our gifts were there to surprise us under the tree. We couldn't open them until morning, so my sister and I would have a sleepover and just squeal with delight the whole night through; not catching any wink of sleep because of our anticipation! My favorite gift was a cabbage patch doll that I received late and cried because I didn't think Santa brought it. Low and behold, it was hidden and saved for last!

Which of course, leads me to the present...my Christmas' as a child were so memorable and special, I can't wait to make even more memories with David and our little sweet pea Noah. With those bright and adorable eyes gleaming at the sight of the bright and glittery tree, I can barely hold back my glee to think of how precious each and every Christmas will be from now on as a mother!"
 

"I remember sitting in my room, with Liz for a lot of these times, on Christmas morning just waiting for music to start. We weren't allowed to come out until we heard it. It was the same tape every time (back when we still played tapes!). To this day, I still LOVE that music. When it did finally start - after Mom made her final touches on what Santa had done and she and Dad both had their coffee ready - we'd run out of the bedroom. Now, I don't know which part I remember more fondly - the music, or turning the corner from the hallway into the livingroom and seeing the absolute VISION that had magically appeared overnight. In my mind, the presents went from floor to ceiling and swept from wall to wall in front of our tree - just waves and waves of big and small and shiny and sparkly boxes as far as the eye could see. And, it seems to me that it was like that every, every year. Well, that's how I remember it, anyway....and it's my favorite memory (or memories of the same several minutes of each Christmas) and I remember it and smile each season since.

I don't know how Santa did it, but I'm learning now that it takes a LOT (of love, most of all) to make it all come together that way. I'm filled with admiration and gratitude for my Santa, for the memories I have, and for the inspiration it's given me to try and make fantastic ones of our own!"
 

As conveyed to her parents:

"My favorite Christmas memory is laying under the Christmas tree as a newborn staring at the lights and bringing joy to my Grandma Sharon and Pappy John."
 

"Well, that little stinker (my brother) took my idea… He was pretty accurate, and as I remember it, we both would have told pretty much the same story – about a boy/girl who wanted a puppy very bad but was told he/she couldn’t have one – and of course they ended with a puppy under the tree on Christmas Day. Mine was a precursor to the page-a-day calendar though, as I remember. ‘Remove the top page every day’ I think. Funny we both thought of that time – and even stranger that we’ve never forgotten it. Glen ‘grew up’ when it came to dogs, and I never did apparently.

So… I guess I’m going to have to come up with something else. I have so many Christmas memories, getting my Carrie doll (which worse size 2 clothes), my Cinderella watch, my Anne Frank book on Christmas Eve from my Godfather, Uncle George, and staying awake all night reading it with a flashlight under the covers while Sis slept peacefully next to me (and being totally wiped out on Christmas Day from lack of sleep)… and wonderful Christmas memories with the girls, most of which entail putting together toys half the night so they would be delighted and surprised on Christmas morning… but the one that popped in my head almost immediately when you mentioned Christmas memories was one when the girls and I were with you and your family in England. So here goes…

It was Christmas Eve, during the girls’ and my second trip to England to spend Christmas with the Glen Rothes. Everyone was finishing up their Christmas shopping and wrapping the gifts they had purchased, and Donna was cooking up a storm, but I thought it was a perfect day to go to Hampton Court, a place I desperately wanted to visit before we had to return back to the states shortly after Christmas. That was December 24, 1989. No one else was as interested in seeing the places Henry VIII had lived as I was, and all politely declined to join me, so I decided to go on my own. I knew Hampton Court was close to Richmond, so caught the train to Waterloo and another train to Richmond. When I stepped off the train, and looked around, and asked a couple of people, I realized I was nowhere near Hampton Court (should have probably looked at a map before I headed on my way). I was not about to turn back, so I found a big black London cab and a cab driver who was willing to take me the 8 miles to Hampton Court. When we got there it looked pretty deserted, but the cabby got out and went to the Gate House and found out it would be open to visitors until 4PM. Then he asked me how I intended to get back to the train station (something else I hadn’t thought about), and when I gave my typically ‘dumb-American’ response (“I have no idea”) he said he would be back for me at 4PM. I wasn’t too sure I could believe him, but I steeled myself to make the 8 mile return walk if he didn’t show up, and in I went.

Well, I won’t go into details about my time in Hampton Court except to say I was the ONLY visitor that day. It is a massive place, but there wasn’t a guard to be seen, so I walked under the gigantic astronomical clock at the entrance (erected there in 1540) and wandered through Henry VIII’s Great Hall, the King and Queen’s bedrooms, the chapel… but it was the Tudor kitchens that I spent the most time in. They are relatively unchanged since the time of Henry VIII, so eventually I just sat on the floor in a corner, with my eyes closed, and tried to feel the spirit of those times. I thought I could hear the ‘footsteps of old’ walking through the straw rushes on the floor, and then I was positive I could actually hear footsteps – but it wasn’t a ghost from medieval times - it was a guard telling me it was 4 o’clock and he wanted to go home and have Christmas Eve with his own family.

It was dark when I got outside the gates of Hampton Court… and yes, there was my cabby waiting. On the drive back to the Richmond train station he said he’d used his time to shop for his wife’s Christmas present. When I asked what he had bought her, he opened his bag and showed me a pair of fancy ‘knickers’, which is what he called what was obviously a pair of fancy panties. Lucky gal. And an incredibly memorable day for me."
 

"What is my favorite Christmas memory?

Since my dear hubby and I are fortunate to have experienced 52 years together, my favorite memory is usually, ‘our favorite’. It’s so hard to pick one because we have been blessed with so many, but here’s one of our favorites.

It was our first Christmas as newlyweds and with anticipation we headed out to find our first tree together to adorn our dining room in our new upstairs duplex. We found a neighborhood tree lot and checked out many, many trees with admiration and since they all looked perfect to us it didn’t take long to find a winner.

We should have known there may have been a slight problem when we discovered I was able to hang onto the tree with one hand hanging out of the window. You can probably see the red light going on already. But we didn’t! So we got back home, easily got it up the stairs and into the dining room without the red flag going up as yet. Alan proudly got out the brand new tree stand, placed the tree in it…and lo & behold, it kept falling over. OK, we can do this, so we tightened the strategically placed screws…but it still fell out.

Then the red flag finally went up, we took another look at our perfect ‘first’ tree and were amazed at how small it actually was. At the tree lot it had looked soooo big & tall. So we laughed hysterically at our ineptness, opened the back door & tossed it off the porch.

Back to the lot and this time since we were now more experienced, we knew what we had to do. Yes, we purchased a beautiful, albeit, very large tree, tied it on the roof of the car this time which was great because it was super cold out and now I could actually keep my window closed.

To make this story short, (like that darn tree), we did finally get it up the stairs and to this day Alan hardly ever complains about his hernia. It did fit perfectly in the stand and even though it was so large that it covered the three dining room windows, it was a beautiful tree and the memories of our first Christmas are beautiful, too.

Merry Christmas to all from Alan & Kathy!!"
 

"My favorite holiday memory is learning how to make the cookie press cookies. When I was younger, I was always in awe at how pristine they always came out. I could never make mine as pretty as the adults could and my decorations were never as elegant. As I grew up though, I finally learned the tricks of the trade and eventually made my cookies look just as good as I remember them being as a child. Decorating them was more fun too because I wouldn't make such a big mess with the frosting and sprinkles. Even at 19 years old, the pooping camel is still my favorite design to make. Despite how unhealthy the frosting was, I would always call dibs on eating the leftover frosting after all the cookies had been iced!"

"Christmas was always celebrated on December 24th at the Bartholomew house. My dad was a police officer and often worked on Christmas Day, so we opened presents from Santa on Christmas Eve morning. We never thought that was strange… it’ just the way it was. We also never questioned why Santa came to our house early. Hmmm.

In the early morning hours of Dec. 24th (anywhere from 2am to 4am), my brother ALWAYS came into my sister's and my room. The three of us loved to look at all the beautifully wrapped presents. We would go into the living room, shake a few boxes, and then try to fall back asleep. Often the anticipation was too much, so we were up most of the night. It was such a relief when my parents would wake up and the festivities could begin. I loved Christmas as a kid.

I also love Christmas as an adult, but for many different reasons. I’m so lucky to celebrate Christmas with two families --- the Bartholomews and the Rieggs. Both families are very similar, yet very different. It’s hard to explain, but I love that I have two families. Christmas Day at the Rieggs is the best feast ever!!! Poker face sandwiches, brandy slushes, kielbasa, kringle… what more could you ask for. My MIL cooks up a storm and we all reap the benefits. Good conversation and laughter makes the day even better --- and boy do we have some good laughs. :))

Merry Christmas, everyone."
 

"My favorite Christmas ever was when I was 9 years old.  Every year, my “Big” gift either was an electronic device or in American Girl doll.  However, that Christmas in 4th grade I got both and thought I was the luckiest girl ever. It all started when I got the doll, Nicki to be exact. She was a limited release doll who was only available till the end of the year.  I got her two days before Christmas from my grandma.  I figured then that was my special gift and wouldn’t get anything too huge on Christmas morning.  I was wrong.  I got a pink Nintendo DS with a few games.  It wasn’t really on my Christmas List to be honest but I enjoyed it for many years.  That was my favorite Christmas as a little girl… Christmas of 2007."
 

"I remember getting very excited the night before Christmas. It was always exciting to see the tree and all of the presents on Christmas morning - the living room was transformed.  But the Christmas that I really remember was the one where we went to Hawaii. We had the plane virtually to ourselves and we all got to go upstairs in the 747 and eat lots of pineapple and macadamia nuts. When we got to the house where we were staying, I couldn't believe that I had my own room. It was beautiful. Dark blue was my favorite color at the time, and in this room there were yards and yards of flowing dark blue fabric on the ceiling. It made me feel very special - like I was royalty."
 

"I have a bunch of fond Christmas memories, but I can't really think of a "favorite." One of my fondest memories is Christmas 1988 when Mom, Jen and I came to your big house in England and we all opened up Christmas presents together. We (of course) were all acting supremely goofy, and the day was filled with lots of laughter. Mom gave me "Freedom Rock" ("well, turn it up, dude!") and a wool sweater that I wore pretty much every day for the next five years. I remember Lisa had just been to Russia and she wore her big, fuzzy Russian hat while opening presents."
 

"The first time I spent the night at the B & B, I remember waking up and waiting at the top of the stairs with everyone  - all of us in our bear pajamas. It was very special and funny and cozy."
 

"Christmas comes every year, yet there are some special moments that I will remember forever. Something I'll never forget is attempting to drink out of miniature snowmen mugs. Of course, it seemed to be nearly impossible, but my cousins and I managed to have successful tea parties with only drops of juice in the mugs. Looking back, it seems like quite the hassle just for a simple tea party, but the memory is so precious to me that it was worth the trouble."
 

"When I was 3 or 4 my abuela (Grandmother) told my sister and I that Santa Claus sent a note that he got lost, but not to worry, that we should go to the store with her to pick up their presents. My sister and I got dolls that year but while Jimena was big enough to carry hers, my doll was too big for me. I was too stubborn to let my father carry my doll - yet I couldn't do it myself. The solution was that my father tied a rope around my doll and I was able to drag it behind me, through the store and down the street, happy as could be…" 
 

(A brief conversation with his Mother)

"Heyyyy....perfect timing. Micah just came in the room to play me a new song on his guitar, so let me ask him about his favorite Christmas memory. Give me a sec. Ah...here goes. "Um, I guess it was the time leaving me the talking Spiderman." "Really, not leaving Santa the cookies and milk or coming down the stairs and seeing the presents?" "Nope, the talking Spiderman." "Alright then, that's what I'll write." "Can I go, Mommy? I have to pee." "Take your guitar with you, hon." "Not to pee, Mommy!" So cool to be 5."
 

"My favorite Christmas memory is easy.  It's the last one I spent with my mom, who's no longer with us."
 

Nicole Riegg

Nicole’s Memorable Very Merry Christmas

"There are lights of many colors twinkling on the house, and inside is a happy family gathered with joy celebrating the Christmas holiday. I will always remember Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa’s house in West Allis. Since I was one of the eight grandchildren I really was able to embrace the magic of Christmas. The holiday at Grandma and Grandpa’s always welcomed us kids with Christmas punch in Santa cups and fresh poker face. If you do not know what “poker face” is then you have been missing out on the delicious concoction! I recall running around having a blast with my cousins and whispering about secret Santa. Secret Santa was always a memorable tradition considering I have received some of the most unique gifts via Secret Santa. I will never forget in 2003 when I was 13 Margie got me a hot pink sleeping bag. Until this day I use that sleeping bag on many camping occasions, and I’m thrilled to still have it! I’m glad one Christmas tradition did change with age, now we girls no longer have to wear silly dresses and obnoxious bows the size of the tree itself in our hair! The West Allis house held many memories and many ongoing traditions. No matter how many houses or years go by I’m still grateful that every Christmas is shared with my family and memories will continued to be made. This year I hope everyone has a Memorable Very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year"
 

As excerpted from Noah's Christmas Letter:

"So as you can see, this year has been so wonderful for my mommy and daddy and me. I am so glad that God chose this family for me to be born into. I feel so loved and can’t wait to celebrate my first Christmas with everyone. It will be fun to see what Santa has brought me! I hope that you did a lot of amazing things in 2011 like I did! Mommy and Daddy told me to wish you a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year. Sending you a big smile and giggle!"
 

"There are some things I fondly recall from my childhood Christmas. Donna and I went to St. Anthony of Padua School where every Friday during Advent we received a holy card from Father Joseph as he visited every classroom and blessed us, too. On a regular Friday during the school year he gave each student a candy bar, but during Lent and Advent, when most children were giving up candy, we received the holy cards. I especially loved the gold-edged ones with pictures of angels. On the last day of school before vacation Fr. Joseph would give each child a big bag of Christmas candy. My favorites, probably more to look at than to eat, were the red, green or yellow ‘ribbons’ which glowed in the cellophane bag. Donna and I made lots of Christmas cookies with our mom. I especially loved decorating the cookies with tiny silver balls and shiny specks of colored sugar. I remember kneeling on the kitchen chair and putting a little pinch of this and a little pinch of that on each cookie before they went into the oven.

During the weeks before Christmas I loved listening to Billy the Brownie on the radio. He was Santa’s helper, of course, and he talked about what was happening in Santa’s shop to prepare for the big trip from the North Pole to Milwaukee(!). Donna and I used to listen to this in the kitchen while we did the supper dishes together. I also remember that on one of those cold, cold nights each winter our parents would take us to the Schuster’s Christmas parade in Milwaukee where we waited anxiously to see our family friend, “Mitek the Eskimo” dressed in his native clothing (sealskin jacket with a fur-rimmed hood) and standing on a float with life-sized reindeer (fake or real?). Mitek always rode the float with Santa.

Weeks before Christmas I remember going to Holy Cross Church to buy a little aluminum plate of the nuns’ homemade anise candy. It was broken up into thin, almost see-through pieces that reminded me of the colored glass in the church’s stained glass windows. I loved to suck on the colorful little anise-licorice flavored pieces. Finally, I recall decorating our Christmas tree with all kinds of ornaments, some made of aluminum and others of glass. We loved putting the silver tinsel on the tree piece by piece. We went to the same church for Midnight Mass where I sometimes found it impossible to stay awake in the candle-lit church to listen to the angelic voice singing “Oh Holy Night” out of the holy darkness.

Under the Christmas tree Mama set up her nativity set and a little village. As I lay on my belly to see all the little figures, it didn’t matter to me that I was witnessing a couple of thousand years between the two. She used a mirror and fake snow to make an ice skating pond, and she took great care to display her nativity set complete with three sets of Wise Men made of wax (candles), clay or aluminum. Our fireplace didn’t really work, so our parents weren’t endangering the house when they took bright red brick-like crepe paper and covered the fireplace with it. That’s where Donna and I hung our stockings, the ones our Polish Grandmother Mary for us. Made of white flannel and trimmed in red cotton, each stocking was decorated with jingle bells. (I still use mine.) They actually were filled earlier than Christmas, on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) with tangerines, candy, walnuts, hazelnuts and a new comic book. I still remember Mama’s story of how when she was a little girl her stocking was once filled with coal and wood. I still hope that was only a joke, and she really got more goodies later!

Each year on Christmas Eve I remember opening a gift of new flannel pajamas and a pair of wooly mukluks (slipper socks). So cozy! One present I especially remember is the dolls we received one year, complete with wings and halos. We called them our “angel dolls”, and they could even kneel to pray! Donna got the brunette with brown eyes, and I got the blond with blue eyes. Grandma Emily made them each several sets of matching clothes.

It’s amazing how much I can recall from more than 50 years ago!"
 

"As mentioned before, going through life we have many Christmas memories; the ones that you think about the most are the ones from when you are young, and Christmas is magic. That said, I cannot come up with one particular memory that encompasses the feelings I experienced throughout the holiday. It would all begin on Christmas Eve, with the family heading to Uncle Tom and Aunt Ann's house for the evening. Uncle Tom always wanted to have something special for Christmas dinner, whether it was a turkey, goose, or prime rib. Of course these dinner entree's took longer than expected to cook. While we waited for dinner to get "just right," Christmas songs would be sung around the piano, gifts would be opened, and finally, dinner would be served. After dinner we would watch the Santa Radar, and head home with great expectations for the next day. When Christmas morning would arrive, my father would not let us out of the bedrooms until everything was "just right." The tree had to be lit, Christmas music would be playing, and then finally, Dad would lead Sharon and me into the living room. To our excitement, Santa had arrived as we'd hoped!! The opening of presents was an exhilarating time for Sharon and I, but the real excitement came down to opening that last present... the one we had hoped most for throughout the year. Then it was Mom and Dad's turn to open their gifts; same case scenario as with us, it came down to that last special gift... to see the happiness in their eyes was special and completed our morning gift opening. Breakfast and church would follow, then it was off to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Al's for Poker Face sandwiches, and brandy slushies for the parents. Seeing my cousins, and sharing in the gifts they got from Santa was a great time for me. Family pictures were taken, then it was back to my parents house for dinner, where Holiday cheer continued to be enjoyed. This memory of Christmas will remain in my mind and heart forever."
 

"My favorite Christmas memory is wrestling on mattress in an unfurnished room in Rwanda with my little brothers. We were just evacuated from the Zaire [Congo]. In the absence of Christmas decorations our little makeshift tree and the time we spent close to each other highlighted a more intimate Christmas."
 

ps....while sitting on the stairs waiting to come down, mom always brought us a glass of orange juice to keep us calm."
 

"I move slowly through the world and have never been one for races or contests. Coming in at the tail end of the Great Christmas Memory Race means I’ve gotta cede my favorite memory to Erin who’s a lot speedier than I am. In my head, I’ve been composing scenes from that wonderful times at Donna and Glen’s B&B in Albany, savoring the delight of being together in that marvelous old house and our adventures in the snowy world beyond: sampling brewskis in those little engraved glasses at the New Glarus Brewery, tea and pastries upstairs at the New Glarus Bakery, sampling mustard at the Mustard Museum in Mt. Horub, buying my massive duffle coat at a Land’s End seconds store down the street from the “Swiss” hotel where we Chicken Polka’d the night away. And of course, Glen’s breakfasts, and sitting around the big kitchen table with tea cozy hats, and Donna and Noreen playing duets at the parlor piano dolled up in the white sheets of their angel outfits (or were they ghosts?). But since Erin already claimed those days as her best Christmas memory, here’s my next best family Christmas memories: two, really, woven into one by a needle and thread, and the sweet remembrance that our “Little Fur Family” Christmases were often simple and hand-made, by necessity, and all the richer for that.

Noreen, Erin, Ben and I were living in Los Angeles in December, 1987. It was a typical Christmastime in L.A., disorientingly hot and summery, hovering between 75 and 80 degrees outside, with laser-like sunshine. A week of rare, smogless days when you could actually see the nearby San Gabriel Mountains in the distance. We decided to have our neighbor take a holiday snapshot of the four of us in our backyard. Sitting on the ground in front of an orange tree teeming with fruit, our tongues way into our cheeks, each of us wore a fuzzy winter hat, mittens, snow boots, and sunglasses. But my most vivid memory of that holiday season lives inside the house, late at night, on Christmas Eve.

Noreen and Erin had gone off to bed. Our Christmas tree stood nobly festooned in the tall front window of the living room. On the floor close by the tree, dappled by its lights, sat not-quite-six-year-old Benjamin, legs thrust out straight, hard at work. Across his lap lay a patchwork of red, green and gold squares he was stitching together into a small quilt for his Mama, Noreen. With nearly a third of the quilt still to be sewn, Ben insisted on staying up til it was completed, though his eyelids were drooping and it was way past his bedtime. I put on some quiet music and sat next to him on the floor to see how I could help. Determined to finish the project on his own, Ben kept at it. I threaded needles and steadied the squares as he sewed. In between, I grabbed a sketchbook and drew him, his blond curly head leaning into the twinkling light of the Christmas tree, pajama’d legs anchoring him to the floor. His gift gave me that gift for my own.

Midnight approached, and still Ben sewed. I thought about Beatrix Potter’s “Tailor of Gloucester” and imagined Ben as a mouse magically stitching away into the wee hours. “I’m going to bed,” I announced, but he wouldn’t budge until the last square was in place. I tried to convince him to call it a night and finish in the morning, but he’d have nothing to do with it. The quilt had to be wrapped and under the tree in the morning for Mama, and that was that! Then, looking a bit forlorn, he realized that the border needed to be sewn on before the quilt was finished.

“Not now,” I said, bleary-eyed. I showed him the dark red seam binding I’d bought for the border, and promised I’d stitch it on with the sewing machine later. So we found some tissue paper and carefully folded the quilt and the package of seam binding into it, then wrapped it in Christmas paper and tied it with ribbon and put it under the tree with a card for Noreen.

When morning came and the four of us were sitting around the tree, Ben gave Noreen his present. She was surprised, and astounded by how beautiful it was, and we all celebrated our own magical Tailor of Gloucester and the amazing quilt he’d crafted with such perseverance and determination.

Two years later, Noreen and I were living in a different house, three hundred miles north of Los Angeles in the foothills of Corralitos near Santa Cruz. We’d moved back home the year before from the crazy, smoggy metropolis and were living next door to an orchard in apple country. A couple months earlier, a monster earthquake had shaken the house, turned it on its foundation, cracked the walls, and blown out our bookshelves, but we were still there, rolling with the aftershocks, when Christmas, 1989 came ‘round.

The kids lived with their Dad that year in Santa Cruz, and they were coming to spend Christmas with us. I was scrambling at the last minute to finish a special project for Erin’s present. Erin wanted a pair of warm, flannel pajamas. Unlike winter in L.A., Santa Cruz County can be cold and damp at Christmas. And this particular December actually brought SNOW to coastal California!! Just before Christmas, the temperature dropped into the 20s, freezing the peony and trumpet vine in our front yard, and dusting the lawn with enough white to make snowballs. So cozy pajamas seemed just right. But not just any old pajamas.

Knowing that Noreen’s traditional present was a new Lanz flannel nightgown, Erin had requested something similar. I’d gone out in search of Lanz fabric and found a wonderful cobalt blue calico that was soft and fuzzy. For three days, I worked at our old Singer, sewing and fitting in elastic, trying to beat the clock to Christmas Eve before the kids came. As usual, it didn’t quite work out that way, and I found myself, droopy-eyed, staying up past midnight, stitching while the kids slept upstairs, no doubt dreaming of sugarplum fairies and morning surprises.

It was worth it! In the morning, after Christmas breakfast, we sat in the front room and opened presents. I’ll never forget the look on Erin’s face when she opened the box and discovered her brand new Lanz pj’s. She was ecstatic! A new blue beret on her curly head, she held up the pajama tops to her chest, a big, toothy grin smiling on her face. Erin immediately put the pajamas on, and she looked terrific. Whatever else we didn’t have at Christmas, there were always the four of us, and the gifts that meant so much more because they were made by hand in the dark of night out of great love and inspiration. After the stockings and the waffle breakfasts, after the traditional roast and Yorkshire pudding with our dear friend, Shelly, and a reading of A Child’s Christmas in Wales, we’d go off to sleep warm and cozy, blessed by the joy those simple, but wonderful, gifts gave us."
 

"My favorite memory was making the rounds to everyone's houses to "see the tree" at each and every family member's house. We would start on XMAS eve, going to my Grandma and Grandpa Riegg's Christmas day, we went to church and then everyone would come over to our house for a couple of hours, then we would all pack up and head over to Auntie Joannie and Uncle Dale's house. The following weekend we would always visit Grandma and Grandpa Rothe's house in Greendale. Then we would make our pilgrimage to Illinois, where we would visit Auntie Donna and Uncle Glen, and also Auntie Karen and Uncle Dan. Lots of presents were exchanged, lots of food and drink....good times!! I miss all of my family!!!"
 

"Besides the arrival of Santa Claus, one of my earliest childhood Christmas memories is that of my Grandmother’s baking and cooking during the holidays.  She was a wonderful cook all year around but there were special treats that were only made one time a year and that was at Christmas.  I would always look forward to getting the cookie cutters from high up on the pantry shelf, the yummy chocolate treats that would cool on top of the freezer in an unheated room off the kitchen, and the white fluffy divinity with pecans from the tree in her front yard.  My favorite was a treat made with corn flakes and melted marshmallows with a drop of green coloring and a red hot on top, called Christmas Wreaths….simple but yet a memory I will not forget.  Now that I have a son, Evan, I have had eight wonderful Christmas’, experiencing all the wonder and excitement of Christmas through his eyes.  Perhaps one day I will pull out my Grandmother’s recipes and Evan and I can make special Christmas goodies …knowing that one day after all the toys have been forgotten he too may have a special memory in his heart for those Christmas Wreaths."