The advent calendar is up and filled with dollar bills, the pull-down door to the attic is stuck, Christmas cards are all taped up on display, and just maybe there’s a red bulb in the porch light (for Christmas, of course, what else?)… it must be Christmas on the ridge! I’ve made my way back home for the holidays as most folks do. Hallmark Christmas movies run back to back on the television while Babcia sings “Feisty the Snowman”. It’s truly a magical time of year.

I’ve always loved all holidays at home, but Christmas is especially fun. When we were little, my dad would play Santa and hand out gifts on Christmas Eve. We always opened gifts on the 24th; I suspect so my parents could sleep in the next morning. Christmas Eve was always a whirlwind with visitors coming in and out the whole evening, friends stopping by to say happy holidays… my parents’ friends, our friends, all the friends. Plenty of snacks, cold drinks, and jolly people gathered together. There were a few exceptions; a few Christmases were tougher than most. Dad was regularly laid off from his job, and that could make for a bleak holiday. On a few occasions we were lucky to have real life angels swoop in and make sure that we (the kids) had a good Christmas. You guys know who you are, and we will never forget your kindness.

My dad was the one who decided we open gifts Christmas Eve; I don’t know if that had been his tradition growing up or not. He also cooked the food. Mom wrote and mailed Christmas cards, and decorated the tree and the house. She sang carols with us, sometimes as she heard and interpreted them (see above) and sometimes as they were originally written. Either way it was fun and festive. Dad liked to sing Elvis Christmas tunes and he had the voice for it. Elvis Christmas music is my favorite to this day. One of my favorite holiday memories is of my dad and my uncle making my best friend and I sing White Christmas over and over… and over… and over… and over… because they liked our harmony and because beer.

Eventually we grew up, my daughter came along, and then my niece. Kids just make Christmas better. It’s all about the surprise and the wonder and the expectation. I’m looking forward to one day becoming a babcia myself so I can share Elvis and Feisty with my grandchildren. We will sing and dance and eat and drink and be merry in the tradition of our family. My hope is that everyone reading this (as well as the rest) has a warm holiday with people who feel like home to you. You’re welcome to drop in and sing a little if you’re feeling festive. We’ll leave the red light on for you.