Holiday Traditions

The holidays are filled with traditions from special foods to fun activities. As we age old traditions are modified and new traditions are added. But all traditions, old or new, have one thing in common: they connect us to family and friends.

My mom began taking me to see Santa when I was one. She didn't drive. So, we took the bus downtown to Famous-Barr one of the three major department stores in St. Louis at that time. We walked around the building oohing and aahing at the fabulous Christmas windows. One had a huge train set in it. Then we went up to the top floor where Santa sat in all his glory. My last photo with Santa was when I was six. I was three in the photo below.

Even when I was too old for Santa, we still went downtown during the holidays to see the windows, do our shopping and have lunch. It was a tradition I continued when I married and moved away. Only then it was with my mother-in-law in Minneapolis. Oh, how we loved looking at all the holiday decorations.

​Now during the holidays, a friend and I visit all the antique stores in Prescott. We enjoy the decorations from times past many of which we remember having as children. I guess that makes us antiques too!

Another family tradition was making ornaments and other decorations. I was particularly adept at making paper snowflakes. Now, I create jewelry from wire and gemstones and craft wire angel ornaments. I enjoy making things and learning new techniques, so the styles of jewelry and ornaments are continually evolving.

​And of course, I adorn myself with holiday jewelry and clothes. Wearing Grinch socks or snowman earrings just makes my day more festive.

Whatever your holiday traditions, have a wonderful joyous holiday season!