FAMILY FAVORITES

Famil favoritesy

Some of the best parts of Christmas are completely unique to our own families. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind decoration, a heartfelt tradition or Grandma’s top-secret fruitcake recipe, the season just wouldn’t be the same without it. Here are a couple of festive examples from Hill Country residents.

“Years ago, my girls came home from Church excited about a craft they had completed. It was a miniature manger with a handful of straw. It was a bit wobbly and loaded with glue, but they beamed at their masterpiece and shared the story behind it. They explained, in preparation for Christmas Day, each straw represented a good deed done in secret. Throughout December, the goal was to fill the manger so that the Christ child would have a soft bed on the day of his birth. In the days after, I would pass the fireplace and smile at the pieces of straw that were accumulating. To this very day, my daughters still guard the secret deeds they did, but I know one of them wrapped a favorite toy to add to the giving tree at school. Another brought cookies to an elderly neighbor. I didn’t miss the dishes that were done without complaint and the extra chores around the house that were mysteriously completed. The manger still holds a special place in my home. I hope you will enjoy this tradition as much as my family.” – Stacy Whittemore

RIGHT: “This Barbed Wire tree has been in our family for many years, bringing holiday spirit to us in places where evergreen trees are scarce. It is decorated with a miniature birdhouse (for miniature birds).” – Dean Carroll

LEFT: “Christmas of 1967 was special. Our first-born daughter was 5 months old. We bought brass Swedish Angel Chimes, and she would sit on my lap transfixed at the candles and the angel chimes twirling around. As she grew, it became known as the “ding-a-ling,” and has entertained our family for 53 years. I think we paid 69 cents for our favorite Christmas ornament.” – Raymond Foster