Cat's Corner
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This month on the blog,
I’m sharing cherished times in a photo walk through my Christmas past. I started by updating a piece about holiday traditions I first published in 2017, but honestly, nothing has changed much in four years. (Well, except for Evil Covid!) That’s a good thing to my way of thinking! Please read on for a feel-good photo walk through five decades to summon memories that may be ringing in your season, too. 
Is it lighting the menorah? Hanging an ornament your child made on a Fraser fir? Baking Grandma’s special holiday cookies again? Planning a Kwanza celebration?
These joyous celebrations are the stuff of memories and become the traditions you pass down through the generations. I wonder how holiday traditions start.
Maybe they develop based on where you live. For instance, I grew up in a coastal Connecticut town, an hour from New York City, that was a microcosm of diversity. My classmates had surnames that usually had an equal number of vowels and consonants. Their parents often spoke with thick accents of their native countries.  Circa 1966: Dad and friends play with new toys
I enjoyed sleepovers next door at my BFF Elaine's house, where I learned about Hanukkah and devoured her mom's blueberry blintzes and latke.
I can't remember how we started, but Elaine, her brother (Michael Meatball, we called him. Don't remember why!), and their parents spent Christmas afternoon with us. While our parents chatted over coffee and dessert in the kitchen, we kids jammed our small living room to share Christmas and Hanukkah toys. How cool is that!  Circa 1966: Grammy Chris and Mama's holiday baking spree
Other traditions develop organically. What begins as a good idea one year becomes something people clamour for the next.
I remember the first year Mama and Grammy Chris started baking holiday cookies right after Thanksgiving. Because we gobbled up those sweets almost as fast as they came out of the oven, we generated the need for an endless stream of fresh-baked cookies. Mama and Grammy Chris happily complied.
Another natural evolution: picking out our tree from the church lot and hauling it home to decorate. We draped tinsel, strand-by-strand, over the branches (throwing tinsel in clumps was not allowed). Topping our masterpiece with an angel was always last. Making sure the dog didn't tip over the tree was constant.  Circa 1957: Sis and Brother wait for Santa
Ooo'ing and ahhh'ing over outdoor Christmas decorations was another family tradition that started as Dad drove us home through quiet streets after the 7.30 children's Christmas pagent. We kids couldn't get enough of that magical Yuletide sparkle. In fact, Mama told me the first words I ever spoke were at Christmastime, when I was nine-months old and said, "Lights. Pretty, pretty lights."
Come Christmas morning, I couldn’t wait to run downstairs to see what Santa brought, BUT I had to wait until my youngest sibling was awake. As oldest child, I almost felt sorry for the little ones I dragged from warm beds on many Christmas mornings. Season of Changes
This joyous season is tinged bittersweet this year since we lost Dad in February and Mama before him in 2011. Reality smacks me. Our parents and grandparents are gone. Most aunts and uncles, too. Some cousins. Hub's little brother, taken far too young. I take comfort remembering they still surround us in our Christmas traditions.  Treasures: 1930s glass ornaments in a mid-century, handmade sleigh; 2008 crystal tree from Mama on her last visit to our home
As unofficial family historian, I keep track with short notes about the provenance of our Christmas decorations tucked inside each one.
When we unwrap the set of gold pine cones, we remember Paw-paw Pete, who gave them to us to hang on my first tree with Hub. Or those glass-blown ornaments Hub’s parents give us each year that hold pride of place on our tree every season. I even have Grandma Ethel's teeny Depression-era glass balls, tucked proudly into the small wooden sleigh handcrafted by Grandpa Jerry in the 1950s. These nest by the delicate crystal tree Mama gave us on her last visit to North Carolina in 2008.
And those glue-smudged, kid-made ornaments crafted with such effort and love! I can't bear to toss ‘em, even though they’re aged and worn (below, middle).
Two of my most precious treasures are the gifts Mama Marg gave to all her four grown children in the 1990s. The sea-faring New England village (above, left) symbolizes our love of the ocean and our childhood growing up on the Connecticut coast. Another year, she sewed four fabric crèches for each of us (above, right).
These gifts tug at my heart when I pull them from the attic. Profound sadness from missing loved ones mixes with joy in feeling their presence. But we still channel Mama and Granny Chris in cookies we bake. My sugar cookies are never as tasty as theirs, so I switch to easier drop-chocolate concoctions. We’re also perfecting our version of Hub's Mom's to-die-for peanut brittle. We're blessed she still cranks out yummy batches for the family each Christmas. New Traditions
As much as I love drawing from the past, Hub and I have started our own tradition. We sprinkle a gazillion Christmas villages throughout our home, their glow warm and welcoming on long December nights.
We finally stopped buying these lighted Yuletime miniatures because we ran out of room to display more!
Recently, we combined our villages into one huge display on the dining room table.
Of course, it must be circled by Hub's toy train. Yep, we gladly eat, balancing dishes on our laps or trays, during the holidays. Food takes second place to watching Christmas trains. I also started another tradition ... taking a break from writing and social media the last two weeks in December to be with family and friends.  Christmas tree in my cozy yellow cottage
This season, I’ll focus on gentling my heart and wrapping my soul around how our family has changed:
Missing more dear ones. Reconciling that my siblings and I have reached "eldest member status" in our family’s orbit. Wondering how it all went by so fast. Embracing our next generation, who are now grown with little ones and new traditions of their own to discover. Most important, feeling grateful that friends and family are healthy and safe during our second Covid December.  Cat and Hub with Ralphie on TV
From our home to YOURS.....
Wishing you all the warmth and goodness of the holidays and much joy celebrating YOUR traditions new and old. ... Travel safe. ... Stay well. ... Catch you in the new year!
*Your Turn*
I love this crazy busy time of year and would also love to hear about yours. Hey, if you celebrate a holiday or just enjoy this time of year, what's your favorite December tradition? How did it start? What are you looking forward to this holiday season? Please share in the comment section. 
28 Comments
Thank you, Cat, for giving us a look inside your holiday traditions. I enjoyed reading how they evolved. I especially like what I believe is a photo of you as a little girl waiting for Santa. What fun! 12/8/2017 09:08:37 am
K Lamb, what lovely hol wishes! And the same to you and yours. 12/8/2017 09:21:22 am
Oh cat! What a wonderful reflection of your holiday traditions! We share a lot of similar ones( and yes our tinsel had to be placed piece by piece too!) I can just imagine the magical-ness of your new traditions and all those tiny villages glowing in your home! Sending you and yours warm wishes throughout the holidays and can't wait to have you back online in the new year! Xoxo trace 12/14/2017 03:32:26 pm
Yes, our tinsel connection is strong, Tracy <winking here>. Thanks for reading my blog and sharing holiday traditions. All the best for you and yours this special season! 12/8/2017 11:27:59 am
Cat, I love this beautiful post of your past memories of Christmas! The tiny homes with lights to the village with the train. The memories of your loved ones that have passed are with you in your heart as you go through this holiday season.
Cat Michaels
12/8/2017 02:49:46 pm
Grateful for your kind words, Rosie. This is an emotional time of year on so many levels, and It’s made sweeter when sharing with good folk like you. Enjoy your hols and family time. I already picture you setting out your decorating treasures -:D.
Rebecca Lyndsey
12/8/2017 04:24:51 pm
Cat, what beautiful memories you have shared. I haven't baked the cookies my grandma and I always baked during this time since she passed away but this year I think I will give it a try. I have a few of her decorations that I put out every year and I always think of her and miss her but I know she's with me always. 12/14/2017 03:37:30 pm
This season is such a jumble of memories and emotions, Rebecca! What wonderful memories you have of your grandmother. Her ornaments are treasures for you to keep close to your heart always -:D Many thanks for stopping by the blog and sharing your traditions. 12/9/2017 12:25:51 pm
What a lovely and heart-touching post, Cat. It brought to mind an ornament always placed high, front center on our tree -- a small styrofoam ball with shiny little stars pinned to it and a red pipe cleaner hanger I made in pre-school many years ago. Our family tree always featured homemade family ornaments and toys, with glued ring garlands made by the kids encircling it. Thanks for the memories and very best wishes for a wonderful holiday season with the family. Merry Christmas!
Cat Michaels
12/10/2017 08:35:23 pm
Your pipe cleaner ornament is precious, James! I am so impressed you’ve kept it and feature it still on your tree in pride of place. Many thanks for stopping by and for your warm wishes that I am sending back to you and yours. 12/12/2017 07:13:16 pm
Hi Cat, What can I say that hasn't already been said? Beautiful treasured memories. Yes, this year will be hard, but you have these beautiful memories to share with family. Love the train and tiny villages. When our boys were small my hubby set up remote control lights in a tiny village so that when the boys looked at it he turned the lights on as if a fairy had arrived home. It was so cute.
Cat Michaels
12/13/2017 04:07:57 pm
Sandra, I LOVE the magical village lights your hub created for your children. What a charming gesture. 12/2/2021 03:18:35 pm
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I love all your photos, especially the old family photos. I love old photos! 12/2/2021 06:17:32 pm
Happiest of the season to you and yours, too, Jessica! Thanks for walking along with me down memory lane. I have tons of old photos and love sharing them. 12/2/2021 04:08:10 pm
Thank you, Cat, for such a festive sleigh ride down memory lane. The tree decoratiing and baking events run parallel to yours with one glaring difference. I haven't a single decoration in my possession from my younger years. In several family moves and passings, slowly the holiday decorations from childhood slipped away. Luckily, I have a small collections of photos which I cherish. 12/2/2021 06:22:23 pm
Wow, Toby! You may have lost physical momentos of your traditions but you bring them back with your memory for sure. I can almost smell your mom's cinnamon cookies, too. We never did popcorn...hey, maybe I will start a new popcorn tradition -:D. And yes, your tree ornament selection is absolutely a lovely new tradition. Bet your tree looks shiny! 12/3/2021 05:06:11 pm
So fun to go back to see this post of yours from 2017. You go all out on Christmas and enjoyed looking back at your memories, Cat. 12/5/2021 11:01:39 am
I updated the post a bit to reflect 2020's Covid Christmas in lockdown, but other than that, we keep up with our precious traditions Rosie -:D. Fingers crossed we'll all be able to do more and stay well during 2021 Covid holidays! 12/4/2021 01:11:21 pm
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, Cat! Love this post. Holiday traditions are what make the holidays a special time in our family. Thanks for sharing. Very best wishes for a wonderful and healthy holiday season! 🤠 🐻 12/6/2021 12:58:59 pm
For sure, Jim! Thanks forcing along as I share my special traditions with you. And back atcha for safe, happy 2021 holiday times -:D 12/6/2021 01:00:27 pm
What a wonderful way to describe how this season makes us feel, Julie. "Enveloped" is just right! 12/6/2021 10:53:20 am
I love the way you write, Cat. You always draw me straight into your world, real and imagined, and I enjoy every minute of being there. I think my hubby and his Dad would give anything to take over the dining room table with their train sets. Maybe we need to make that a tradition in our house too. The pure joy on their faces would be worth it. Thank you for sharing your memories of so many special people and I hope you have a love-filled, peaceful Christmas time. 12/6/2021 01:02:53 pm
Wow, you have trainiacs in your family, too, Michelle! You absolutely gotta try the dining room table choo-choo layout. Pure joy for everybody to see.
maria
12/7/2021 08:08:18 pm
I love that you are sharing your cherished times for Christmas. Its amazing to see how people change throughout the years.
Cat Michaels
12/8/2021 01:10:19 pm
Spot on, Maria! Wish we had easier-use cameras back in the day. Lots of memories not captured on film because it was to had to get the camera out or process film. glad we have the memories and photos we do -:D. 12/12/2021 08:05:21 am
I remember older traditions with more of the family and really miss those times. But I still have the memories.
Cat Michaels
12/12/2021 08:47:16 pm
Rosemary, those memories are beyond precious. Glad you’re holding on to them. Here’s to making more this year and in the years to come - D Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
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