Here we are, it is the season of giving! Happy Holidays, regardless of what you celebrate!
My family has a history of a BIG Christmas, and no, my relatives were not rich. The packages were always piled high, regardless of how much money was spent. Even a paper doll set was a huge excitement if it came wrapped and under my Grandma Nash’s Christmas Tree.
Even after her passing, our family continued the practice. My father loved Christmas. He also liked to act like a Scrooge. Every year, he went shopping on Christmas Eve, for just one more gift for everyone. We received clothes and practical items as well as toys and fun things. Excitement for Santa’s arrival was always at fever pitch.
How many Christmases, or holidays, do you have? We had our family Christmas on Christmas morning followed by Christmas with the Warners, and a big dinner. The weekend after Christmas we drove to Maysville, Kentucky to the Nash family gathering. Now that both of my children are married, we’ll be working out holiday schedules.
I cannot stand to think of children who have a hard time during the holidays, and my chosen philanthropy is to adopt a family at Genesis Women’s Shelter in Dallas. How tough to spend a Christmas in a shelter, frightened, in shock, going through huge life changes. I want to do what I can. There are other programs I give to, but Genesis is a very important one. 
Do you have a special gift you give at this time of year? Please share it!
That is one heckuva pile of presents under Gram’s tree! I love to give to the homeless this time of year. Socks, sweatshirts, all that warm stuff. Yep. We dropped one carload off the other day and I have more.
Wonderful. My Grandma’s tree was always an eye popper when we were growing up!
What a festive photo! We celebrate Chanukah, so there are no such photos in my collection, although I always admire the beauty of fully decked-out Christmas trees. And I always feel good about giving to the homeless and unfortunate people especially around this time of year.
We decorate for both, I have a blue tree and a red and green tree. Obviously, that’s the red/green one!
Even though we celebrate Hanukah I have fond memories of celebrating Christmas with my friends. Plus my dad’s bday is Xmas (we call it Herbmas for Herbert!) I love your memories and photos.
There was a time when my parents gave us gifts on my dad’s bday – books mostly. I cherish my wonderful Emily Dickinson – a prized book in my collection.
Awesome. We kid around that we celebrate with a party on chrismukkah eve where we light the candles and enjoy the trees. It is always so nice to have a cherished memory.
What a worthy cause! We have a local women’s shelter here too that I like to help when I can. Love that tree with all the gifts! Brings back wonderful memories for sure.
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Childhood Christmases are wonderful to remember…I want to be sure Santa comes to the shelter!
Loved the photo’s, especially the snow. Christmas is always best with snow !! I am so happy that you give to the Genesis Center. I gave last year to an orphanage, but The Genesis Center would be a great place to give this year. Christmas really should be about giving, more than receiving. Great Christmas spirit!
I love giving to Genesis. And I agree about the snow…Christmas isn’t Christmas without snow!
I worked in a local soup kitchen one year when I lived on the coast. I still remember it as one of the most fulfilling experiences. Thank you for the beautiful memories of your happy childhood Tam!
Kimberly Xo
I’ve always loved remembering magical Christmases. I gave to the homeless shelter one year as well…I think as long as we give, we are living the spirit of Christmas.