Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. Christmas is a holiday that is different for everyone, especially for me. My family is more than huge, not including my uncles or aunts, I mean my siblings. I have 5 sisters, 1 brother, and a dog. Christmas has always been very big for us as a family with making us feel blessed. On a traditional day leading up to the holidays, when we get home, we turn on the fireplace and we all sit in the living room and watch a Hallmark movie. It’s so cozy, it’s fun to be with your family and to have everyone in their best mood. Here are some events that make up my time leading up to Christmas.
To begin with traditions, on November 28th we set up the Christmas tree and we make our own ornaments. Each sibling makes one ornament that says something about their personality. We also make a new stocking every year by using glitter, charms, and paint. We spend time creating new decorations as a family to reconnect for time that we don’t see one another during the year. Some might think this is strange, but we have a great time cleaning up the huge mess that is left behind.
On November 29th my sister and I get our Christmas money and order all of our Christmas presents. Instead of my parents buying Christmas presents for us, we are given Christmas money to purchase gifts for ourselves to place under the Christmas tree. Another fun thing is helping my siblings make Christmas lists. You wouldn’t believe some things my younger brother asks for Christmas such as different bugs or monsters.
On December 1st my parents put a baby Christmas tree in everyone’s room, and every day we get a new ornament. On this ornament is a good deed that we must do that day. You may wonder what the point of this is, well we would get 25 ornaments which means we’ve done 25 good things throughout the month. By the time Christmas comes, this becomes a habit of completing small giving tasks that we can continue them past the season. My favorite tradition is when my mom decorates each of our doors with décor such as garland and Christmas materials, it’s beautiful.
On December 10th my parents collect my younger siblings’ Christmas lists, then my sister and I go out with them to help shop for these lists. They always make my sister and I race to see who can get everything on the list first. I usually win but I’m not throwing shade. The ride back is always fun because we all get Starbucks and can order off their special holiday menu. Then my parents sneak upstairs and start wrapping the presents, while my sister and I distract our siblings by playing music and having a dance party.
On December 19th we go to the graveyard and put flowers on our past relatives’ graves. During this time, we also tell them how much we love and miss them. This is special to all of us because during the holidays we miss them even more from not being able to spend it with them.
On December 24th all my siblings sleep in our parents’ room and watch one last Christmas movie. A secret my dad told me, is in the morning, he plays reindeer stomps and jingle sounds at 8:30am. I could never figure out how we always woke up at the same time. Everyone runs to the dining room where the tree is, and you see papers start flying. Seeing my siblings’ eyes light up with happiness is such a great feeling. After that we take all our presents to our rooms. Then we begin getting ready for our annual family Christmas picture which I love. It always seems to be the funniest part during Christmas. After that my mom begins preparing food and my dad tries to sample all of it which is so funny. I love seeing all my family and talking to them. I wouldn’t trade my family for anything, and I’m so blessed to have a family. Gifts are a plus to Christmas but spending time with your family can’t amount to anything.
