On Christmas morning, no one was allowed to open any presents until everyone was awake in the house. No problem! There would be eight children running down the stairs to see if we were good or bad this year. After seeing presents everywhere we would run back up the stairs to Dad and Mom’s room singing Christmas carols. Dad and Mom were already awake when we began singing Christmas carols. That was something they looked forward to every year. After getting our parents down stairs we still had to eat breakfast before we opened our presents. Finally we all went into the living room. We would all sit around the tree while Dad gave out presents, one present at a time so every one was opening presents at the same time. After opening all of our gifts, Mom started cooking an amazing dinner.

Christmas was a busy day for everyone. Family and friends that we only saw on holidays would come and visit. By the time we played with our new toys and visited with cousins, Uncles, Aunts, and friends it was dinnertime. Everyone would sit at the table. My Mom cooked so much food we ate until we could not eat anymore.

To end a wonderful long day, Mom would wind us down with a bath, and then we all gathered in the living room to watch a Christmas movie. The Christmas season is my favorite holiday memory. It is all about the month of December and all the things we do together to make Christmas day so special and memorable.