http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/ EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS and More http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/images/prozdmakin_r4_c6.jpg http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?LowCt=0&action=cat&cat=EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS Copyright 2005 1/26/2009 12:18:37 PM http://www.mmkcart.com http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=ARNCM3&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Growing up in Florida we never got to wear snow suits or snow boots and there were few nights in the year cold enough to wear flannel pajamas. However to get in the Christmas Spirit every year after we got home from Christmas Eve services we came home to open one package each, and we always knew what it would be: a special pair of Christmas pajamas! Always with snowflakes, Christmas plaid, or monogrammed with our initials they were warm and cozy and ALL matching!! Yes, my Daddy too. He usually got plaid pants or a night shirt with snowmen instead of snowflakes, but still he was always part of the tradition. And today it lives on, son in laws, grandsons, grandparents even…if you are in the Johnson house on Christmas eve, you get a pair of matching pajamas!! Usually to keep everyone cool while wearing these toasty traditions we had to crank the A/C down very cool…but still we are cute and ''Christmassy'' what more could you wish for? The yearly tradition continued after we all go put on our night wear. Next we eat dinner, and then Ginny reads the Christmas Story from the Gospel and I read the ''Night Before Christmas.'' This part of the evening usually gets a little heated because Ginny always wants to read along with ''Night Before Christmas'' since we all know the words by heart, but I will pause, look at her wanting to have my own part of the tradition all to myself!! After the stories are read, we put out fudge, cookies and milk out for Santa with a note of course…thanking Santa for all the hard work he's done this past year making our Christmas together possible.

Before we all go to bed Mom plays Christmas Carols on the piano and we all gather around, and sing along. These Carols (Santa is coming to Town, O' Little Town of Bethlehem, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Deck the Halls) are all played from Sheet music that my Mom had when she was a young girl, first learning to play the piano. The pages are fragile so each year they are tucked away carefully to be kept safe in order to be pulled out this one night a year for the festivities. After we sing our Christmas Carols, we then check to make sure our Christmas Stockings are hung for Santa to come and fill with goodies. Grandma Sarah handmade these Christmas stockings years ago, but always tucked the remaining fabric away in case there were anymore family additions. Grandma Sarah planned very well, she had plenty of fabric when I was born, and then also when Ginny got married and then just enough for one last stocking when I got married. So now there are six matching stockings: Mom, Dad, Ginny, Stephen, Me and Chip. Not only are the matching stockings hung, but also those for the pets, and grandparents, and grandchildren…the family keeps growing!!

Lastly before we turn in for the night, we have to check to make sure that we each have a mini stocking (also lovingly made by Grandma Sarah) hung on our bedroom doors. Each person has one and when we lay down to sleep they are empty, but when you wake up in the morning…look and see, if they have a candy cane it means Santa has come and gone while you were sleeping. If you were very good there might even be a Russell Stover's chocolate Santa hiding in the toe!!

Now my sister and I live in different cities in our own houses with our own families; we are never together on Christmas Eve anymore, but the magic of that night always remains the same and I still hear the Reindeer's hooves on the roof and the sleigh bells in the night sky while I'm sleeping. Regardless of the miles that separate us the tradition of family and Christmas keep us close in spirit this night and always! ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=AECT1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
We started a new tradition when our twins were born. We always sit down and read the story of Jesus to the kids. Other than that our family opens gifts and record so we can watch in later years.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=CNCM3&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
My husband Chip's favorite Christmas Memory is a few years ago we all met in Arcadia at my grandparents farm for a ''Cowboy Christmas.'' After a fun day of presents, food and company we were cleaning up wrapping paper, putting things away and trying on our new clothes for all to see when my dad got a call. Part of the fence that keep the cows in their rightful home had washed away and they were dangerously roaming all over the road and beginning to go into town. Being Christmas night there was no one my Dad knew to call to go repair it so near midnight my dad looked at Chip and said ''I need your help!'' Chip put on his cowboy boots, some jeans and got in the truck, as he left he told me ''we're going to mend some fence.'' My first thought, ''do you know how to mend fence?'' I simply kept to myself. My mom and I sat up wondering how things were going, since by now the weather was getting worse; it was raining hard and the wind was blowing. About 3 hours later my dad and Chip arrived home with photos on their cell phone of the amazing repair job they had done, beaming with pride. Chip and my Dad both had dirt from the top of their head down to their toes, and a few blisters, but their smiles were shinning brighter than ever! Chip could not stop talking about the team work they used to accomplished repairing that fence, and how he had been in mud up to his knees, but it was still the most fun he'd ever had on a Christmas. Now he still likes to go by and see that part of fence, still standing strong to this day. It's a great thing to be able to say, ''we built that!'' Not only did they re build an important part of fence and return all the cattle to their home that night, they strengthened our bond as a family and as a son and father in law. ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=CCIM6&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Christmas caroling in the country in Maine. Going house to house riding on the back of a flatbed being pulled by a tractor. Drinking hot apple cider and eating homemade donuts, in freezing cold weather.

From a customer in Cherry Hill ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=SAWB2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
I remember my father gave us each 6 children a $25.00 war bond in 1942 for Christmas. I still have the envelope with his signature.

Sarah Ames]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=DCT2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Our family tradition is Christmas eve, Beef on weck and the next morning is egg casserole and Danish. A great fun gift exchange also.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=DFCM2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
This is a family tradition that my family started when our children were small. Our family would gather at my Mother`s home on Christmas Day. My mother`s neighbor would dress up as Santa Claus and come to her house with a sack ful of of presents. He would kneel down and give a present to each of the grandchildren. The look on their faces was priceless! After a few years of doing this, the anticipation of Santa coming was just as fun.

DeAnn is parish nurse of Pilgrim UCC]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=DJCMAT1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Dick is Karen Johnsons husband and Alice Nuttalls father.

Our 1st Christmas decoration of the year is a 3 foot belt of old sleigh bells on our back door knob.

I always remember placing food out for Santa and I would try to have things I liked because I had to eat the goodies.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=FGCM5&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
I wa s raised in a Scotish Rural Farming Community in Southern Michigan. A Christmas tradition I remember occured on the weekend prior to Christmas with farm families going farm to farm with freshly baked goods. Each farmer`s wife had her special baked goods. Someone made Christmas cookies, my grandmother made breads. Lois also made cookies. My mother`s favorite Christmas treat was Cinnamon Rolls. She would spend a lot of time making these hot delicous rolls which were delivered to every farm on our snow covered road. I left the community and the farm 38 years ago But I well remember the tradition of giving and sharing.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=JCCM4&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
One of family`s favorite traditions is Homemade Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas breakfast. I usually prepare the sweet dough the day before and get up early Christmas morning to complete the process. This particular Christmas I was too busy to make the dough the day before so I got up especially early to make them in the morning, only to realize I did not have any yeast. NO yeast No Christmas Cinnamon Rolls Disaster. I started calling family members to see if they had yeast but no luck And with time ticking away I knew I would not have time to make the rolls. I had given up hope and was prepared to tell my family Mom goofed no Cinnamon rolls. Then, a knock at the door, my mother in law had sent over not yeast, but homemade sweet dough to make the rolls. After I had called her for yeast, she had called a good friend for yeast and her reply was ``I don`t have any yeast but you can have the extra dough I have``. Christmas morning was saved. I prepared the dough baked the rolls and we enjoyed what we refer to now as our ``Christmas Miracle``.

Jane is part owner of Zula`s Antiques located on Terra Ciea Island just south of the Skyway Bridge on Hwy 19 ]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=JVSCM2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
I recall many a Christmas dinner being held up because my Dad went hunting and ``bagged`` a deer and had to get his car to go back and pick it up to bring home and dress it out.

My sister and I also remember how our Mom would make us wait until Christmas Eve to decorate our Christmas tree.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=KFSCM4&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Great Christmas memory in Gatlinburg, Tn. Going ``Home`` for Christmas is Wonderfull!!! A beautiful Christmas.

Memory is watching my school kids sing, ``It is better to light just one little candle than to stumble in the dark`` and lighting their candles!! The wonder and joy on their faces.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=KJCMT4&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
(Karen is Alice Nuttall mother.
As we played ``Santa`` on Christmas Eve, my husband and I would exchange a Christmas gift so we could enjoy it with just the two of us, before all the hustle and bustle of Christmas morning.
There was a tiny stocking on the girls door and when Santa was finished, he would put a candy cane and a chocolate Santa in it. When they woke up they knew Santa had come.

After the gift opening which was very early when the girls were little we had a Christmas Brunch. I would put the breakfast casserole in early so it would be ready. we always use the same red glasses that came from England and Christmas linens.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=KMACM2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
When I was young we set our tree up the night before Christmas and used the big old fashion kind of bulb on the tree. My father made gold foil paper stars that we would place behind each colored light one at a time. He also made a wooden star with smaller lights that we hung on our picture window in front of the tree. It was very special to me.

Note from Marc (the picture next to this is not a picture of Kathy`s tree).]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=LWCM4&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
My dad`s employer was on strike for 8 months All of our Christmas presents were hand made. He made doll cradles for my niece`s, doll houses, he made me a wall unit for my bedroom Probably the best Christmas because all was hand made.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=LRHCT2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Each year as a house gift we purchase a Christmas piece of Spode

We also celebrate Christmas eve from 7pm to .....with multi courses of seafood thru out the night into Christmas mourning.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=MCM2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
As a child I remember my dad always reading the Christmas story out of the Bible. I thought it sometimes took too long to get to opeining the gifts. My husband continues the same tradition. It really helps the children (and us too) to remember the true meaning of Christmas. We also like to decorate cookies together.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=NBCM5&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
One of my best memories of Christmas is Christmas Eve taking a walk with my father to look at store windows; the nights were chilly and the decorated windows were magical to an 8 year old. We would arrive home and magically Santa had come.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=CFMPT1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Hiding a one inch glass pickle on the Christmas Tree and giving a prize to the grandchild that finds the pickle first.

I think this is a Europeon traditon.

This is from a customer from Fort Myers]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=BDCT3&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Our tradition has been in the family for roughly 150 years. As a child I never knew the history of Plum Pudding which is also known as Christmas Pudding or Fig Pudding. The tradition of serving Plum pudding after Christmas dinner began in Victorian England about 1850. Every year my great grandmother made Plum Pudding for the family and we all ate it for dessert after Christmas dinner. We would turn the lights down and flame the pudding which burned with a blue flame. The pudding would be served warm with a hard sauce over top. I have my great grandmothers recipe and carry on the tradition each year.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=RACM2&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
My mother (now passed) made Christmas decorations using styrofoam balls covered with ribbon, beads, trinkets, baubles, and dangles from my Gandmother`s costume jewelry (now very collectable). All the little pieces of jewelry are placed on each ball using straight pins. My mother had a bracket on the wall where she hung the balls for Christmas after my parents decided they had enough Christmas trees that were planted on the property.

I now possess all of the balls and since coming to Florida I don`t have live Christmas trees anymore, I use a brass tree and place it on the nook table for my appreciation of her handiwork and her love.

Note from Marc Tree pictured next to this is not tree Ronni is describing.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=SCTOH5&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
When my brother and I were young our parents would take us for a drive every Christmas eve to look at the Christmas lights and to look for Santa and his sleigh. As we were backing out of the driveway my father would always forget his wallet and have to run in and get his wallet. We would than drive around for a hour or so and than come home to find Santa did come and he left all our presents. Every Christmas eve we were positivly sure we saw Santa and his sleigh flying to our house. It is amazing that ``Santa`` forgot his wallet every Christmas eve and we never caught on.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=CSSA1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
My family always had socks hanging for all members of the family adults included. They were filled with gag gifts as well as useful items. Everyone had to do last minute shopping for stocking stuffers.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=SWWCm&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Susan displays her nativity set every Christmas but doesn`t lay Jesus in his crib until Christmas eve. She than has the eldest or most important person that is at her house Christmas eve to add Jesus. She waits until January 6 7 to add the three Wisemen.

What a wonderful Christmas tradition. She never forgets the reason for the season.

By the way nativity set in picture is for sale at Cherry Hill Antiques.]]> http://www.cherryhillantiques.com/mmkcart/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=TRAMH1&CTMP=1&LowCt=0
Every year since my niece and nephew were able to stand my parents (their Gandparents) would have them over to their house on the day after Thanksgiving to trim the Christmas tree. My father would have the tree up, all the lights on the tree and all the ornaments unwrapped and waiting to be displayed. All the ornaments were antique from Prussia, Czechoslovakia, etc, and were from my grandparents and great grandparents. They all were so beautiful with their kaleidoscope of colors, hundreds of different shapes, sizes and themes, some shimmering like jewels and all lined up on a table waiting to be displayed lovingly on the tree. They would work all day placing every ornament in just the right place and of coarse we all had our favorites that would always have ``the best place`` on the tree.

All the while they were decorating the tree old fashion Christmas music was playing. The voices of Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, and Frank Sinatra would be putting us all in a peaceful and joyful mood.

The kids didn`t spend Thanksgiving with us so during the tree trimming day my mother would make us all turkey sandwiches which always tasted so wonderful because they were made with so much love. It was always such a special day for all of us.

Every time the kids would come over they would check their favorite ornaments to make sure they were still there and safe. It was always a special day for my parents and myself but didn`t know how special that day was to them until they got older. They are both grown but we know that they will always have special memories of the tree trimming day.

This Christmas memory by Marc Washicheck owner of this website.]]>