The joy of family traditions

Snow is falling lightly outside today, while inside our cozy home people are making preparations. Cookie dough is chilling in the fridge; presents large and small are hidden in closets and bags, awaiting their wrappings; and plenty of secrets are being kept behind closed doors. “I need to use the oven – no one come in here.” “Has anyone seen the tape?”

Christmas Eve has a different energy now that my kids are older, and it’s a good different. Instead of trying so hard all day to contain their excitement about the gifts that await them in the hours ahead, Louisa, Seb and Elias have been occupied by thoughts about a gift for someone else (well, at least somewhat – I won’t pretend that they haven’t closely inspected the names on the gifts already under the tree). This focus on giving over receiving is due in part to the tradition of Kris Kringle gifts, one of my favorite holiday traditions from my youth that Steve and I have continued with our own kids.

This is me, eagerly anticipating Christmas in 1969 with my brother, Pete.

Every year around Thanksgiving, the five of us draw names and then agree to make that person a gift, to be opened on Christmas Eve. There are a few rules: you don’t tell anyone whose name you have; you can buy supplies for the gift but cannot simply buy the entire gift; it can be a gift of time, or of service; creativity is encouraged.

I’m always delighted by the thoughtfulness of the gifts, especially as the kids have grown. Last year, Louisa had my name; she remembered that my mom had made a couple of Wizard of Oz ornaments for me when I was a kid – the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion – but had never completed the set. So, to my complete surprise last year, Louisa made a Dorothy ornament for me, complete with ruby sequined slippers.

The handcrafted Dorothy ornament.

The other Christmas Eve tradition from my childhood that Steve and I have continued is the program, which comes after the pasta dinner. Everyone takes a turn doing something; it can be a reading, it can be a song – instrumental or vocal. Past years have even included puppet shows and a game of charades. Once the program has concluded, the Kris Kringle gifts are exchanged.

I could write more about my love of Christmas Eve traditions, but frankly, I don’t have the time. I have work to do on my Kris Kringle gift, and I have to prepare for my part in the program.

A Riggs family Christmas card from the 1950s

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and may you enjoy our own traditions with family and friends this holiday season!