Holiday Memories and Traditions post by the fabulous Miranda from Narrating Life.
I am so pleased to be here at The Mother Huddle today sharing my favorite holiday tradition. But I would be lying if I said it was a cinch to think of a favorite. First I wanted to tell you about the candy that my mom and grandma made every year. Then I thought about writing a post about the ornaments mom would help us make before she could afford to buy them. I also really wanted to tell you about how our most-desired gift from Santa was never wrapped. And how I still remember walking downstairs and seeing a PJ Sparkles waiting for me in my little rocking chair.
But instead, I’m going to tell you about how we spent our Christmas Eve.
As the evening grew to night on Christmas Eve, I always felt restless. The excitement of the next morning was almost unbearable. I often wondered how early I could go to bed to make the morning come sooner. So I was always excited when it was time to load up in the car and go for a drive. We would spend the next hour or two driving around our small town scoping out the very best Christmas light displays. We delivered last-minute gifts that my mom had made for her friends. Sometimes we stopped and got ice cream or some fast-food if we were particularly hungry. But the best part of those drives was listening to my favorite Christmas book on tape: The Polar Express.
The story was narrated by William Hurt and I thought his voice was so beautiful. Listening to the magical story about meeting Santa Claus while finding the house that looked like glowing snowdrifts were spilling off of the roof helped calm my eager energy. Plus, by the time we got home from our drive, it really was time to go to bed.
As a mother, I am realizing that the task of making the holidays magical for little ones can easily slip into a stressful list of things to do and places to see. This simple drive that my parents took us on every year was not only free but it was a way for us to spend some quiet time together. I’m sure the rest of the evening was still a bit stressful for my parents and they stayed up wrapping presents and preparing for the next morning, me and my brother, there wasn’t a single thing that could make Christmas better. Thanks mom and dad.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I may be just a big hormonal, but that was the sweetest story ever. Thank you so much for sharing it. I so hope that my boys will look back on our traditions and remember them as fondly as you do yours.
PS-I love, love, love, love, love that book.
We had a similar tradition and it is one of my most favorite memories. My mom would take us to see Christmas lights and it always included a trip to the “mapleton mansions” as we called them. They always had the best lights. Thanks so much Miranda for sharing, it shows how usually the most significant memories are the simplest.
I’ve never read Polar Express but may i should and your memory just goes to show sometimes it is the simple things in life that are the most cheerished and treasured. May this year bring you many more special memories. :O)x
I love this for so many reasons. I can tell this is a strong memory for you because it seems to strike all of your senses. It makes it even more moving.
Also? My son LOVES the Polar Express book on CD. Our version has Liam Neeson reading it and he asks to listen to it every day. I never get tired of it.
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful memory.
Best,
Tina
I’ve never read or listened to The Polar Express, but I can imagine that I would love it more with William Hurt’s narration. A beautiful telling of your Christmas Eve tradition and a stunning photo to accompany it!
What a wonderful tradition–I love this.