Olivia Hanna
The holidays are a time comprised of memorable moments. The team here at Mainstreet Daily News is no different, so we collected short reflections about our favorite holiday traditions, the things that make the holiday season special, and what we are thankful for as we enter the new year.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season filled with new memories to enjoy.
Glory Reitz, reporter
Christmas for my family looks a little different every year, but we always make a point of coming together for the holiday if at all possible. One tradition, perhaps born of impatience, is that we always open one gift on Christmas Eve—we say we are stretching out the celebration.
I remember one year in my early teens when I took my eagerness a step further and started my own tradition, giving my whole family “15-days-till-Christmas” gifts, which fluctuated through the years but were always a hit with my sisters. Every year, I am thankful to be blessed enough to share with others.
Seth Johnson, reporter
Looking back, I remember three Christmas traditions from childhood. We would open one gift on Christmas Eve—usually pajamas to wear that night. My mom would always bake sausage crescent rolls to eat while we opened gifts. I can only ever think of Christmas when I eat them now.
Lastly, one of the family would read Luke 2 before opening gifts—and usually while munching a crescent roll. I’m thankful for all the Christmases together now that it’s rare to all be together under the tree.
C.J. Gish, senior editor
Leading up to Christmas, we would spend an evening watching “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “Scrooged” back-to-back while eating meats, cheeses and crackers.
On Christmas Eve we would prep an overnight ham and egg casserole and bake it on Christmas morning for breakfast, and then we would go to a movie theater and watch a family movie after unwrapping gifts.
Janalyn Peppel, sales coordinator
Christmas for me has always been about my father’s family traditions. My grandmother would make an assortment of German Christmas cookies for her children and grandchildren every year.
When I was old enough to start baking, my mom tried to teach me the secret. My cookies never tasted the same as the original. My mom, however, was able to master the sweet treats and will make them every so often. I’m thankful to have my remaining family close by and have wonderful friends in my life.
Ronnie Lovler, correspondent
We recently concluded our observance of Hannukah, the festival of lights and rededication. A small group of us got together over latkes and blintzes and other Hannukah treats. We lit our menorah, partook and added a twist that our hostess suggested—put out all the (electric) lights and one by one light a tea candle in a bowl of water.
We sat in the dark and then little by little our collective candlelight took over. We shared thoughts about our pasts and remembered how things were back then. We shared thoughts about our troubled times, but always remember that individually and collectively we want to move ahead from dark to light.
Olivia Hanna, member ambassador
Two Christmas traditions come to mind when I reminisce about the holidays. Since I can remember, my mom baked sugar cookies for us to decorate, and as we got older, it evolved into a friendly competition of who could make the best decorated cookie.
Growing up with lots of siblings, on Christmas Eve as teenagers my mom would have my older sister and I would help her wrap the gifts for everyone. It always felt like we were in on the secret and my dad would make us coffee to keep us awake late into the night. I am thankful for the opportunity to gather and make new memories each year.
Mike Ridaught, sports director
First and foremost, I am thankful for family. As a kid growing up, I enjoyed having Christmas at my aunt’s house every Christmas Eve, followed by Christmas at home with my brother, mom and dad the following morning. We then went to my grandparents’ house for lunch and opened gifts with aunts, uncles and cousins on my mom’s side of the family.
Although it made for a long day, we would visit with my half sister and brother and their families, on my dad’s side, later that afternoon. I will always cherish those memories.
Lisa Wiggs, local media adviser
Each year my kids and I go to visit my mom in Ft. Lauderdale. We like to drive to see the Christmas lights at The Holiday Fantasy of Light at Tradewind Park and Symphony of Lights at Gulfstream Park.
On Christmas Eve, we all get to open one present of their choice. Then on Christmas Day, we wake up and open presents, eat breakfast, lay around and watch TV, and eat dinner around 2 as a family.
J.C. Derrick, publisher
Growing up, I could always count on seeing the movies “White Christmas” and “It’s A Wonderful Life” at some point between Thanksgiving and Christmas. As an adult, “It’s A Wonderful Life” became particularly meaningful, because life brings challenges that highlight the profound truth featured at the end of the movie: “No man is a failure who has friends.”
As I count my blessings at the end of this year, I am deeply grateful for my friends—including the awesome group of colleagues we have at Mainstreet.