What is your Favourite Holiday Memory from Childhood?

autoawesome-google plus-devon-uk-countryside and snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful...let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!

Ah, I have a lot of fun childhood Christmas memories. I remember waking up early on Christmas morning (like 4.45 a.m.) with butterflies in my stomach to see if Santa had come to our house. The happiest sight for me was always seeing mine and my sister's stockings hanging on the mantle stuffed with goodies. (Read: candy and nuts.) I chuckle as I envision a small kid jumping up and down with excitement! In the evening, we'd all get together for turkey dinner. Ah, the family get-togethers. That is what made the Christmas meal taste so good!

I remember going to town with my mom to see Santa and also enjoying all the Christmas decorations displayed in the store windows.
London store dressed up for Christmas.
christmas ornanments
Decorative rattan balls. 
What could be better on a cold winter day than curling up by the fireplace in your comfy pajamas, sipping on a big mug of hot chocolate?

What is your most vivid Christmas memory as a child? I'd love to hear:)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 
 
P.S. Best Christmas appetizer recipes, including Andie's Stuffed Mushrooms, Deviled Eggs, Bacon and Date Appetizer and Cream Cheese Penguins.

Linking to: From The Farm .

60 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I have so many wonderful childhood Christmas memories that I can't choose. They were all filled with family, food and gifts. Lots of laughter and love too.

Gail Dixon said...

Sounds like a wonderful childhood, filled with happy times. A few years back it snowed in Dallas on Christmas Eve, a rarity. We opened the dining room shades and ate seafood gumbo around the table as a family. That was probably the most special one ever.

diane said...

All of my Christmas memories from my childhood are magical ... can't pick just one!
Merry Christmas!
diane @ aug's blog

Kelly said...

Lovely memories and lovely photos, Betty.

So many good memories, but I especially loved decorating with all the beautiful things my mother hand-crafted for the holidays.

Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Lynn said...

I remember the anticipation of it all - that was often more exciting than the actual event. :)

Sylvia K said...

Being an only child, my most fun memories of Christmas were the ones when we joined my aunts and uncles and cousins at our grandparents house for the holiday!! They had a fireplace and always a huge tree!! Lovely post for the day as always, Betty!! Have a great weekend!!

TexWisGirl said...

i do not have a lot of good holiday memories. we were very poor. honestly, even to this day, i just want it to be january.

It's me said...

Enjoy the seaseon....i remember that it was always warm and cosy...and we where all together on Christmas eve.....i miss that feeling.......love from me....x !

ΑΘΗΝΑ said...

My favourite holiday memory was Christmas when a friend of my father was dressed as Santa Klaus and gave us our presents!Now I am not a child to do that but I will remember always these days.Have happy holidays!

Tolga said...

i remember chestnuts on stove-top and the snowmen eyes with coal... east roads and many villages of Türkiye are closed today because of snow.

have a great weekend.

Tamara Camera said...

I could never sleep on Christmas Eve - it really became the longest night of the year..even though the "real" longest night of the year is a few days earlier.
I remember feeling like I slept the whole night and padding into the hallway to see that it was only 11:00 pm or so and I still had eight hours before I could open even my stocking, much less presents.
I'll never forget that feeling of the longest night ever. The excitement. I'd get nervous butterflies too.

MadSnapper said...

no fond memories jump out at me... I do remember that before i was 10, we would wake up at 4 am wanting to open presents... we only got a few but we were anxious to see what was there.

Betty Manousos said...

lynn, i couldn't agree more:)

Crissi said...

Beautiful weekend!
Hugs Crissi

dennistheeremite said...

Before we moved away from Southern California (when I was 12), there were days of family gatherings! I have to confess I was excited about Santa and presents, but also about leaving milk and cookies for him and finding that he had eaten and drank them the next morning. I loved putting up the decorations. My parents would give me some money to buy something for them, and that was really exciting to see them open the presents I had chosen for them (even though I had bought them with their money).

Mersad said...

That fireplace is exactly the thing I need right now. So cozy and beautiful.

Dirk Rosin said...

great pictures og ekte snå på det første, hvordan gjør du det ?

Lisa Gordon said...

Gosh, such wonderful memories of Christmas, Betty.
All of my memories of Christmas are wonderful, and I feel very fortunate that that is the case.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Mari-Pi-R said...

Que sigas viviendo esos recuerdos de tu infancia y que disfrutes de un presente, un abrazo.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Tex's comment made me sad. We didn't have a lot, either; but I was naïve enough that I didn't know any better. I was always thrilled with my gifts.

My parents didn't wrap the gifts from Santa, so they were just sitting there under the tree when my brother and I got up on Christmas morning.

I remember one year getting a walking doll. Of course, I had to hold her hand and sort of rock her from side to side to get her to walk. She also said "Mama" and closed her eyes when I laid her down. Another time, I got a metal bookcase and a stuffed dog that had another gift of a little necklace hanging off his nose. I loved that dog.

Ruth Hiebert said...

We didn't hang up stockings but on Christmas Eve Mom had us set out a bowl,one for each of us and then come Christmas morning we had peanuts,oranges and candies at the bottom and our gifts at the top.Back in my teen years I thought this was kind of crazy,but I now recall the excitement that went with this.Definitely a good memory.

Ms. A said...

I think my best memory would be just being young and still anticipating Christmas and enjoying it.

Craver Vii said...

(smiling) One year my siblings got up early, but Dad wanted to be a grizzly bear in hibernation. He was usually the first one up, but this particular morning, he did not want to get out of bed. We took bows and ribbons and decorated him like a Christmas present right there where he lay. It's a good thing my parents were in the mood for clowning that morning, because if it had backfired I would have been on Santa's naughty list.

Bob Bushell said...

Hum, I don't have many, but my father & mother were poor, but they tried very much.

Hilary said...

I love how you gave that image a snowfall. Very clever. I might just have to learn how to do that.

All of your images are lovely as always but the last one of the fireplace is so incredibly cozy and warm.

eileeninmd said...

Lovely post, Betty! You did remind me of my family big get together for the Christmas dinner. It was fun when the whole family was around. A mug of hot chocolate in front of a fireplace does sounds cozy. Enjoy your weekend!

Theresa Mahoney said...

I love how the season always brings the sweetest memories! I remember the snow forts a me snowball fights, mom's homemade cocoa, sledding with my sister, and always getting cozy pj's around Christmastime. Such lovely memories!

DeniseinVA said...

Such a lovely post Betty :)

Cloudia said...

Blue Christmas lights on a neighborhood house in the snow.


Aloha, Dear

İlhami Uyar said...

thanks for nice sharing,regards

Marie said...

I'm an only child, I have one step sister that lived in different state. I remember at Christmas being so happy because I would see my step sister and a lot of cousins. :)

sky-blu-pink said...

Many fond memoires! Waking up early and seeing what was in the stocking! And the christingle service at church. I think my parents were relieved when we were old enough to go to Mass at midnight so we were awake at a more civilised hour!

Red Nomad OZ said...

Hahaha! I've spent EVERY Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere - notable for its absence of snow at Christmas time!! Call me shallow, but my memories are all about the presents ...

Icy BC said...

Your childhood sounds very wonderful. I don't have good memory of any holidays, but the main reason to celebrate was there.

Unknown said...

Πολύ όμορφη ανάρτηση Μπέτυ μου!!!
Ναι,από τα παιδικά μου χρόνια έχω ωραίες χριστουγεννιάτικες αναμνήσεις!!!!
Σου εύχομαι για τα Χριστούγεννα…
Το καλύτερο που μπορεί να υπάρχει,,,
Υγεία, ευτυχία, ικανοποίηση.
Και αυτό - για όλη την αιωνιότητα!
Και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος 2014!
Θα τα πούμε του χρόνου,πολλά φιλιά! ❤❤❤

Leovi said...

Yes, I love being by the fire in the cold and snow in the city, delicious photos!
Abrazos!

Fernando Santos (Chana) said...

Olá Betty; excelentes fotos de Natal.....
Cumprimentos

Our photos said...

Lovely memories and lovely photos, Betty.

Liz Mays said...

Your photos just make me all happy and warm inside! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Carver said...

Beautiful shots and memories.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Betty, OH ---I have so many wonderful memories of growing up in a small town in a Christian home… I am truly blessed.

This time of year, one thing I remember is making Christmas candy with my mother. She made LOTS of candy to give as gifts to my teachers, etc. And--I was her big helper!!!!

Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

We lived on a farm near a small town, but every Christmas Mom & Dad would take us to the city where we could see all the window displays in the big downtown department stores. They seemed to try to outdo one another, and it was magical for a young boy.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love reading your memories!

Felicity Grace Terry said...

What a beautiful post, thank you for sharing what are obviously precious memories.

I can remember Christmas Eve being an evening in which we'd have a bath before slipping into our new night ware and slippers. We did this up until the Christmas before I got married and now that I am married I carry on the tradition even if I do now buy them for myself.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

The moving snow caught my eye immediately. I love it.

My family used to gather around the kitchen table and look at the hanukah lights while singing hanukah songs. We had lousy voices. It was very sweet.

Have a blessed season, dear Betty.

xoRobyn

SandyCarlson said...

This post exudes joy. I am happy for you and your happiness!

dianne said...

Beautiful memories and images dear Betty ... my favorite memories were all about getting together with family and friends and the fragrance of a real pine Christmas tree.
Seasons greetings dear Betty!
hugs
xoxoxo ♡

Oman said...

the food mom used to make... I missed it sooooo much.

rainfield61 said...

I try to think of one or two, but just can get neither.


Because I never celebrate Christmas.

Riot Kitty said...

My most "vivid" memory - my mother saying, "No one can open presents until I have my makeup on!~"

EG CameraGirl said...

My favourite Christmas memory is of receiving a camera. Imagine that! But sadly, it took awful B&W photos and the film and processing were very expensive. I didn't know that when I unwrapped the package though. ;))

Fireblossom said...

That doorway looks so inviting.

Mandy said...

I love this post! What gorgeous photos! My favourite memory is of sitting in the dark staring at the Christmas lights!

Unknown said...

Even when my brother and I were older, my parents would put a gate up in the hallway leading from our rooms to the living room on Christmas eve. They didn't want us getting into the presents before they were awake. Brother and I would jump up and down at the gate at 5 am to wake up the parents and get to our presents. Love that memory!

Pat Tillett said...

You already know that I don't have any favorite memories relating to Christmas as a child. However, I sure do enjoy them today...
Nice photos Betty! Here's to a happy holiday season for us all!

Ercotravels said...

Hi Betty, you have interesting memories of the childhood Christmas time.. the decorated house door looking beautiful..
Have a merry Christmas..

Brenda Woodworth said...

Everything looks so nice!!!
Hugs:-)

Ashley Newton said...

Hi Betty

Just stopping by to wish you a Happy Christmas!
Lots of love and hugs!

La Gata Coqueta said...



Hoy quiero darte las gracias por haberme acompañado
con tu cariño y amistad durante este año 2013
y de que mejor manera lo podre hacer...?
Pues deseándote que cada día del año próximo
sea una dicha de bendiciones para ti y familia.

Un abrazo rozando los sentimientos
y un beso rozando los pensamientos.

Dejo un humilde detalle hecho con amor,
para despedir el año pensando en ti, gracias!!

http://dc706.4shared.com/img/cK5D5xZ-/s7/1432f1c04d0/La_belleza_de_una_rosa.jpg?async&rand=0.8910795035508748

Atte.
María Del Carmen




Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Betty!