Christmas Traditions, 73 x 83 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2007

I love Christmas because I love traditions.  At this time of year, I cannot help but get nostalgic thinking about Christmas at my Mama’s home in Crossett, Arkansas.

My mama (Evora Hicks) absolutely loved Christmas. She started getting ready in October. She wanted everyone she loved to have the special gift that they really wanted. This often meant putting something on layaway.

She loved decorating the house. We had Mary and Joseph in the stable in the front  yard. Santa could be spotted on the roof.  Lights were everywhere, but a Christmas tree with gifts that took up our entire living room always took center stage.

Cooking started early. Everyone had to have their favorite dish. Mine happened to be my Mama’s chocolate pie. My younger  sister (LaJetta)  loved lemon pie, and my older sister  (Rhonda)  had to have her German chocolate cake.

In Crossett, people stopped by to have a Christmas drink. So there was a constant flow of visitors. In between visitors, we always found time to pile into the care and ride around town to look at everyone else’s Christmas lights.

My Dad (Otis Hicks) loved playing Santa. He would wake us up at 4:00 a.m. announcing Santa had come. We dutifully got up at dawn and opened presents.

To me Christmas is all about traditions and memories. I still hang a stocking for each member of my family since I know they are enjoying Christmas from heaven.

I hope you are preserving your Christmas memories.